I don't know how many times I've gotta say it, but once more won't hurt I guess.
Ultrafire does NOT have a battery factory. Period.
They do not manufacture batteries. Period.
They buy lots of cheap cells (b-stock and/or QC fails) from people that do manufacture cells, and shrink-wrap them in Ultra-fire labels (and rip off tab welds and put little covers on the ends if needed to make it looks like a decent cell etc).
Totally fine for things like flashlights where nobody cares as long as it works.
Terrible idea for an EV pack, where you're only as strong as your weakest cell group, and a single failure can take down a whole cell group.
18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
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liveforphysics 100 GW
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- Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Each carcinogen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for cancer.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
True true... but I've gone far to look back. Crapstock or not, the "new" cells actually do perform decently IMO. I had a 5P1S pack, 3.7v actually turn over a forklift motor without even raising the batteries a degree in temperature LOL.... that was surprising.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
das sum boalshiz. First batch like that. Let's see how this ends out..
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
How much time are you putting into this pack?
Fundamentals United, Inc.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Friends don't let friends buy ultrafires..oscaryu1 wrote:das sum boalshiz. First batch like that. Let's see how this ends out..
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive." - Dalai Lama
My first major build: 1.6kW 8T MAC motor on a Trek 4500 MTB.
Monster MTB: Leafmotor 1500w @ 4kW on a Turner O2 full suspension.
The monster scooter: Heavy duty Cannondale semi recumbent - under construction.
Blue Dream: Maxaraya FS semi recumbent and high efficiency mid-drive - under construction.
My first major build: 1.6kW 8T MAC motor on a Trek 4500 MTB.
Monster MTB: Leafmotor 1500w @ 4kW on a Turner O2 full suspension.
The monster scooter: Heavy duty Cannondale semi recumbent - under construction.
Blue Dream: Maxaraya FS semi recumbent and high efficiency mid-drive - under construction.
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liveforphysics 100 GW
- Posts: 14137
- Joined: Oct 29 2008 1:48am
- Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
I love how they are all different colors from random batches, and unprinted/unlabled because they failed QC and were culled before continuing on to the labeling machine. Lol
It's funny how random reject cells get labeled as higher capacity than the best in the world are capable of achieving.
Kai has a good sense of humor.
It's funny how random reject cells get labeled as higher capacity than the best in the world are capable of achieving.
Kai has a good sense of humor.
Each carcinogen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for cancer.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
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Hillhater 100 GW
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- Joined: Aug 03 2010 10:33pm
- Location: Sydney ..(Hilly part !) .. Australia/ Down under !
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
.. 
are those end caps just loose ??... held on only by the shrink wrap ? 
are those end caps just loose ??... held on only by the shrink wrap ? This forum owes its existence to Justin of ebikes.ca
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Got to love it. They looked better with the wrapper.
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liveforphysics 100 GW
- Posts: 14137
- Joined: Oct 29 2008 1:48am
- Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Yep, the caps just sit on the end, touching the tiny high points from the residual spot welds that were ripped off.
Its ultrafire quality.
Its ultrafire quality.
Each carcinogen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for cancer.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
i use these for hobby apps that dont use tremendous draw and i find each battery has its own personality 
.i dont know if i would bundle a bunch for ebike battery.i hope it works!
.i dont know if i would bundle a bunch for ebike battery.i hope it works!2 FINGER SALUTE TO ESSO.no buying gasoline for 14 years now.
I spent all my money on bicycles women and beer the rest i just wasted.
I spent all my money on bicycles women and beer the rest i just wasted.
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DrkAngel 100 GW
- Posts: 5435
- Joined: Dec 15 2010 11:14am
- Location: Upstate-Western-Southern Tier NY. USA
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Impressive work!oscaryu1 wrote:
Would work nicely, as a "saddlebag" configuration.
Highly recommend-don't forget to, install a fuse, on each pack.
Also, I cover the sides of the pack with clear "boxing" tape. (after attaching balancing leads ... of course)
It will:
Add stability;
Protect from minor short dangers;
Still allow visual inspection.
A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely, sobers us again.
I enjoy enlightening ... and enlivening the spirit of the innovators.
New & Improved - Acronym Definitions
Index - Homemade Battery Packs - Updated - December 2019
EBike Toolbox - Bargains! $
Endless Sphere Wiki - Lost?
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely, sobers us again.
I enjoy enlightening ... and enlivening the spirit of the innovators.
New & Improved - Acronym Definitions
Index - Homemade Battery Packs - Updated - December 2019
EBike Toolbox - Bargains! $
Endless Sphere Wiki - Lost?
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thomas.smith 1 µW
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Dec 01 2011 12:56am
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
For any interested... I recently picked up 50 of the UltraFire 3800mAh cells. I figured I would play with them to see what I could work out. First off... The ones that I got were not recapped and had no other signs of repackaging (only tore down a dozen, but got bored doing that). Second, I tested those dozen cells, and was getting pretty reliably around 3700mAh.
I sure am not gonna go saying that UltraFires are just fine, but from the sounds of it, they can be hit or miss...
I am working on a cheap reliable BMS now, and when that is done, I plan on really putting them through their paces.
P.S. I managed to pick mine up for $75 (about 11 cents per watt-hour)
I sure am not gonna go saying that UltraFires are just fine, but from the sounds of it, they can be hit or miss...
I am working on a cheap reliable BMS now, and when that is done, I plan on really putting them through their paces.
P.S. I managed to pick mine up for $75 (about 11 cents per watt-hour)
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liveforphysics 100 GW
- Posts: 14137
- Joined: Oct 29 2008 1:48am
- Location: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
thomas.smith wrote:For any interested... I recently picked up 50 of the UltraFire 3800mAh cells. I figured I would play with them to see what I could work out. First off... The ones that I got were not recapped and had no other signs of repackaging (only tore down a dozen, but got bored doing that). Second, I tested those dozen cells, and was getting pretty reliably around 3700mAh.
I sure am not gonna go saying that UltraFires are just fine, but from the sounds of it, they can be hit or miss...
I am working on a cheap reliable BMS now, and when that is done, I plan on really putting them through their paces.
P.S. I managed to pick mine up for $75 (about 11 cents per watt-hour)
You do not have 3700mAh 18650 cells.
Each carcinogen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for cancer.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Each mutagen vapor exposure includes a dice roll for reproductive genetic defects in your children.
Each engine start sprays them into a shared atmosphere which includes beings not offered an opportunity to consent accepting these cancer experiences and defective genetics life experiences.
Every post is a free gift to the collective of minds composing the living bleeding edge of LEV development on our spaceship.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
yup...Panasonic is not even up to that density in an 18650 cell yet. They're up to.. i think.. 3.4AH for the Tesla Model S?
Run it through a graphing RC charger or CBA-2/CBA-3 and you'll learn the ugly truth.
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive." - Dalai Lama
My first major build: 1.6kW 8T MAC motor on a Trek 4500 MTB.
Monster MTB: Leafmotor 1500w @ 4kW on a Turner O2 full suspension.
The monster scooter: Heavy duty Cannondale semi recumbent - under construction.
Blue Dream: Maxaraya FS semi recumbent and high efficiency mid-drive - under construction.
My first major build: 1.6kW 8T MAC motor on a Trek 4500 MTB.
Monster MTB: Leafmotor 1500w @ 4kW on a Turner O2 full suspension.
The monster scooter: Heavy duty Cannondale semi recumbent - under construction.
Blue Dream: Maxaraya FS semi recumbent and high efficiency mid-drive - under construction.
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Please do tell us more about how you tested the cells !!thomas.smith wrote:For any interested... I recently picked up 50 of the UltraFire 3800mAh cells. I figured I would play with them to see what I could work out. First off... The ones that I got were not recapped and had no other signs of repackaging (only tore down a dozen, but got bored doing that). Second, I tested those dozen cells, and was getting pretty reliably around 3700mAh.
I sure am not gonna go saying that UltraFires are just fine, but from the sounds of it, they can be hit or miss...
I am working on a cheap reliable BMS now, and when that is done, I plan on really putting them through their paces.
P.S. I managed to pick mine up for $75 (about 11 cents per watt-hour)
we love pictures !
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John in CR 100 GW
- Posts: 15022
- Joined: May 20 2008 12:58am
- Location: Paradise
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
I'd be content for now if I could get 1.5ah Sony US18650V cells for that same $1.50/ea . That's the kind of deal we need to be looking for instead of this stuff with a minuscule C rate that is just a fire waiting to happen.
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thomas.smith 1 µW
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Dec 01 2011 12:56am
Re: 18650 Li-ion at $145 per KiloWatt Hour!
Sorry it took so long to respond, my actual job (and now lack thereof) has kept me pretty busy.Ypedal wrote:thomas.smith wrote: Please do tell us more about how you tested the cells !!
we love pictures !
Well, I picked up a cheap digital/analog IO board, and wrote a quick voltage tracker. Then I rigged a 14w (1C) load, charged the cell, attached to load/voltage tracker (cut off at 2.9v); repeat. It was taking an average of around 52 minutes to drop to 2.9v. Admittedly, hardly what could be considered a really reliable rig.
After my new gig spins up, I am planning to pick up a CBA3 (like neptronix suggested) and run them through their paces again.
P.S. Not sure if I mentioned it, but the cells that I got have no signs of repacking after tearing them down (hehe, I do have a blister for my lack of patience in waiting to discharge it before hacking it up though).