Bad Milwaukee m12 batteries repurposed

[kb1982]

So as it goes, i had one of my older m12 batteries fail. Instead of throwing it away, i decided i would disect it. Inside was 3 Samsung 18650 batteries, which one had failed causing the flashing lights of death on the charger. So out of curiousity, i decided to put one of them in my HF 390 lumen Braun light (63958). Maybe its just me, but i believe the light is putting out more lumens than it ever has using the Samsung batteries. While the m12 batteries used are not button top, they appear to work fine in the light. The light seems to recharge them without a problem also. Appears ill have 2 fully charged batteries on hand now for when needed. Might even invest in a dedicated charger now.


Thought i would add a picture of the batteries. Original battery on the left, and the former m12 Samsung on the right.

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[PugetDude]

Now if you could just figure out how to repurpose them to work in my M12 tools....

 

[6PTsocket]

Some 18650s are "protected" and some are not. That means the necessary over charge and discharge circuitry is either built into a cell or is external. Button tops are protected and often charged externally in a separate charger but cells from a pack may have external protection in the pack.If you substitute an unprotected cell for a protected one, there is nothing to protect against overcharge (possible fire) and over discharge (permanant damage). Something to keep in mind.

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[ihateminimumwage]

Good to know! The battery in my Braun light barely holds a charge after maybe half a year. Still haven't had any M12 batteries fail, just broken tabs on the battery pack bodies, which I just melt back together with a soldering iron and put back to work, but when one does at least I'll know what to do with the rest.

 

[Millwrong]

I've also gotten plenty of excellent 18650 cells from "bad" laptop batteries. As mentioned though, do be aware of the lack of overcharge/overtemp circuitry on most of these!

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

18650 cells are safe unless you are an idiot. They make chargers for them that safely charge them. The button cell in the pic from the braun light looks as if there is no protection the Samsung most likely has none either. If you would like to purchase some more batteries that are legit and not counterfiet with **** cells and garbage ratings buy reputable try liionwholesale

 

[kctyphoon]

I think i have a charger from Nitecore. Looks at what some of the online Vape shops are selling. I wouldnt buy the cheapest out there, or the most expensive, but something decent isnt a lot of money.

 

[kb1982]

I have Zanfare charger on the way from amazon. One feature it has that i didnt see on most others, was the ability to use the batteries in the charger to recharge devices via usb.

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[Indexmill]

18650s are the cell used by all real flashlights. The only smart way to get them is harvesting them from dead laptop and tool battery packs. Simply, always use a quality charger designed to charge an 18650. Never charge them any other way and don't charge them indoors unattended even with the right charger. If you are curious why, go look at failures on youtube. You will never buy another flashlight battery again, the charge lasts forever and the cells last forever. Nothing money.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

I think i have a charger from Nitecore. Looks at what some of the online Vape shops are selling. I wouldnt buy the cheapest out there, or the most expensive, but something decent isnt a lot of money.

Nitecore chargers are good there are a lot of good chargers out. I have my 18650 knowledge from vaping. Sanyo, Sony, lg, Samsung are all great cells as well as many others but because of the vape industry people are taking **** cells rewrapping them and claiming they are a good battery which is why I recommended a reputable site anove to by legit cells from