How to rebuild a Li Ion laptop battery? [closed]












8














I have an aging Gateway NX560XL laptop. The battery is toast and a new one, even aftermarket, starts at $130. So, to experiment, I began tearing apart the old battery to see what can be done. I found it used 8 standard size 18650 Li Ion cells arranged two cells parallel then in series (like: ====). Some online shopping revealed ~$7-13/ea replacements depending on mAh output. My plan is to load test to determine the bad cells and replace only those, as I read that typically only 1 or 2 may be bad.



I'm proficient with soldering, however these cells are attached with welded tabs. Some of them broke during disassembly and I'm not sure how to reattach them. What I found online are cells like these that have solder tabs pre-welded to the ends so I can solder wires onto.



Is there any guide available that provides the instructions and parts to do this kind of rebuild?










share|improve this question















closed as off-topic by Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te Dec 17 '18 at 9:50


This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


  • "Questions seeking product, service, or learning material recommendations are off-topic because they become outdated quickly and attract opinion-based answers. Instead, describe your situation and the specific problem you're trying to solve. Share your research. Here are a few suggestions on how to properly ask this type of question." – Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.


















    8














    I have an aging Gateway NX560XL laptop. The battery is toast and a new one, even aftermarket, starts at $130. So, to experiment, I began tearing apart the old battery to see what can be done. I found it used 8 standard size 18650 Li Ion cells arranged two cells parallel then in series (like: ====). Some online shopping revealed ~$7-13/ea replacements depending on mAh output. My plan is to load test to determine the bad cells and replace only those, as I read that typically only 1 or 2 may be bad.



    I'm proficient with soldering, however these cells are attached with welded tabs. Some of them broke during disassembly and I'm not sure how to reattach them. What I found online are cells like these that have solder tabs pre-welded to the ends so I can solder wires onto.



    Is there any guide available that provides the instructions and parts to do this kind of rebuild?










    share|improve this question















    closed as off-topic by Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te Dec 17 '18 at 9:50


    This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


    • "Questions seeking product, service, or learning material recommendations are off-topic because they become outdated quickly and attract opinion-based answers. Instead, describe your situation and the specific problem you're trying to solve. Share your research. Here are a few suggestions on how to properly ask this type of question." – Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te

    If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
















      8












      8








      8


      3





      I have an aging Gateway NX560XL laptop. The battery is toast and a new one, even aftermarket, starts at $130. So, to experiment, I began tearing apart the old battery to see what can be done. I found it used 8 standard size 18650 Li Ion cells arranged two cells parallel then in series (like: ====). Some online shopping revealed ~$7-13/ea replacements depending on mAh output. My plan is to load test to determine the bad cells and replace only those, as I read that typically only 1 or 2 may be bad.



      I'm proficient with soldering, however these cells are attached with welded tabs. Some of them broke during disassembly and I'm not sure how to reattach them. What I found online are cells like these that have solder tabs pre-welded to the ends so I can solder wires onto.



      Is there any guide available that provides the instructions and parts to do this kind of rebuild?










      share|improve this question















      I have an aging Gateway NX560XL laptop. The battery is toast and a new one, even aftermarket, starts at $130. So, to experiment, I began tearing apart the old battery to see what can be done. I found it used 8 standard size 18650 Li Ion cells arranged two cells parallel then in series (like: ====). Some online shopping revealed ~$7-13/ea replacements depending on mAh output. My plan is to load test to determine the bad cells and replace only those, as I read that typically only 1 or 2 may be bad.



      I'm proficient with soldering, however these cells are attached with welded tabs. Some of them broke during disassembly and I'm not sure how to reattach them. What I found online are cells like these that have solder tabs pre-welded to the ends so I can solder wires onto.



      Is there any guide available that provides the instructions and parts to do this kind of rebuild?







      laptop battery rebuild lithium-ion






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Jul 29 '09 at 11:35







      spoulson

















      asked Jul 15 '09 at 11:57









      spoulsonspoulson

      1,06011219




      1,06011219




      closed as off-topic by Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te Dec 17 '18 at 9:50


      This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


      • "Questions seeking product, service, or learning material recommendations are off-topic because they become outdated quickly and attract opinion-based answers. Instead, describe your situation and the specific problem you're trying to solve. Share your research. Here are a few suggestions on how to properly ask this type of question." – Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te

      If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.




      closed as off-topic by Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te Dec 17 '18 at 9:50


      This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:


      • "Questions seeking product, service, or learning material recommendations are off-topic because they become outdated quickly and attract opinion-based answers. Instead, describe your situation and the specific problem you're trying to solve. Share your research. Here are a few suggestions on how to properly ask this type of question." – Máté Juhász, fixer1234, Twisty Impersonator, VL-80, n8te

      If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          9














          Typically, the batteries are connected to each other via spot welded tabs. You could solder wires to the batteries you found, but it might not fit afterwards. Make sure you use a wire with enough current carrying capacity (i.e. 14 AWG). Theses batteries do get hot and pass a lot of current during peak loads. You can also build yourself a spot welder rather cheaply if you want to try this route.



          Make sure the case is well closed after your repair. Epoxy should do the trick.



          There are a few tutorials on the web as well.






          share|improve this answer





















          • Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
            – spoulson
            Jul 15 '09 at 12:51






          • 1




            Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
            – JcMaco
            Jul 15 '09 at 12:59






          • 1




            You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
            – psusi
            Dec 26 '12 at 4:11






          • 2




            This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
            – techaddict
            Oct 3 '14 at 3:36



















          7














          Beware: Soldering Li-ion cells can be somewhat dangerous, as when they get hot such as during soldering they can tend to explode.






          share|improve this answer

















          • 3




            resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
            – techaddict
            Oct 3 '14 at 3:35



















          3














          Unless you have experience with electronics and soldering I wouldn't risk it. Batteries put together incorrectly have an unhealty disposition to extreme exothermic reactions (i.e. blow up) which can be quite fatal if you are close.






          share|improve this answer





























            1














            TL;DR version: Please don't try this at home.



            About soldering: Soldering to Li-ion cells is very much not recommended. They can't take the high temperature. That's why spot welds are used.



            Even without soldering, you are risking a battery fire.



            You must NOT re-use old cells , even those that seem to test OK, in the same pack with new ones. Replace all the cells.



            Rebuilders may test the cells they remove from old packs, but the "tested ok" cells do not get mixed with new ones in the rebuilt pack. Instead the cells that survive the first (superficial) tests are then tested very thoroughly to determine their useful capacity, voltage characteristics, etc. The rebuilder then combines them with cells that gave similar measurements to make up entire packs out of well-matched cells. Usually such packs include cells from several different "donor" packs. Then the pack is tested extensively before being sold.



            As you can tell, it is a time-consuming process. (The testing of cells can at least be semi-automated.) Re-using cells from bad packs doesn't really make much sense unless are rebuilding a lot of bad packs. You are unlikely to get many well-matched sets otherwise.



            At least.. all of the above is how the best rebuilders do it, and how it should be done. Li-ion battery fires, especially for a laptop-sized pack, are not anything you want to risk.






            share|improve this answer




























              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes








              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              9














              Typically, the batteries are connected to each other via spot welded tabs. You could solder wires to the batteries you found, but it might not fit afterwards. Make sure you use a wire with enough current carrying capacity (i.e. 14 AWG). Theses batteries do get hot and pass a lot of current during peak loads. You can also build yourself a spot welder rather cheaply if you want to try this route.



              Make sure the case is well closed after your repair. Epoxy should do the trick.



              There are a few tutorials on the web as well.






              share|improve this answer





















              • Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
                – spoulson
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:51






              • 1




                Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
                – JcMaco
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:59






              • 1




                You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
                – psusi
                Dec 26 '12 at 4:11






              • 2




                This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:36
















              9














              Typically, the batteries are connected to each other via spot welded tabs. You could solder wires to the batteries you found, but it might not fit afterwards. Make sure you use a wire with enough current carrying capacity (i.e. 14 AWG). Theses batteries do get hot and pass a lot of current during peak loads. You can also build yourself a spot welder rather cheaply if you want to try this route.



              Make sure the case is well closed after your repair. Epoxy should do the trick.



              There are a few tutorials on the web as well.






              share|improve this answer





















              • Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
                – spoulson
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:51






              • 1




                Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
                – JcMaco
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:59






              • 1




                You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
                – psusi
                Dec 26 '12 at 4:11






              • 2




                This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:36














              9












              9








              9






              Typically, the batteries are connected to each other via spot welded tabs. You could solder wires to the batteries you found, but it might not fit afterwards. Make sure you use a wire with enough current carrying capacity (i.e. 14 AWG). Theses batteries do get hot and pass a lot of current during peak loads. You can also build yourself a spot welder rather cheaply if you want to try this route.



              Make sure the case is well closed after your repair. Epoxy should do the trick.



              There are a few tutorials on the web as well.






              share|improve this answer












              Typically, the batteries are connected to each other via spot welded tabs. You could solder wires to the batteries you found, but it might not fit afterwards. Make sure you use a wire with enough current carrying capacity (i.e. 14 AWG). Theses batteries do get hot and pass a lot of current during peak loads. You can also build yourself a spot welder rather cheaply if you want to try this route.



              Make sure the case is well closed after your repair. Epoxy should do the trick.



              There are a few tutorials on the web as well.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Jul 15 '09 at 12:19









              JcMacoJcMaco

              61521424




              61521424












              • Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
                – spoulson
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:51






              • 1




                Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
                – JcMaco
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:59






              • 1




                You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
                – psusi
                Dec 26 '12 at 4:11






              • 2




                This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:36


















              • Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
                – spoulson
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:51






              • 1




                Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
                – JcMaco
                Jul 15 '09 at 12:59






              • 1




                You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
                – psusi
                Dec 26 '12 at 4:11






              • 2




                This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:36
















              Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
              – spoulson
              Jul 15 '09 at 12:51




              Actually, the tab that broke is at the strap that connects 2 cells together side-by-side, not at the end of the cells. Looks like I'm just going to solder a short wire to hold them together, unless there are better ways to repair tabs.
              – spoulson
              Jul 15 '09 at 12:51




              1




              1




              Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
              – JcMaco
              Jul 15 '09 at 12:59




              Silver conductive epoxy should work but I have not tried this. You should also consider that the epoxy is expensive (40$ per syringe).
              – JcMaco
              Jul 15 '09 at 12:59




              1




              1




              You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
              – psusi
              Dec 26 '12 at 4:11




              You will want to use cells with the same capacity as the original, and replace them all, not just some. Replacing some cells with different capacity will cause the weaker ones to drag down the whole pack, and possibly cause reverse discharge of the others, ruining them quickly. Even if the replacements have the same stated capacity, the old one will have less capacity due to their age.
              – psusi
              Dec 26 '12 at 4:11




              2




              2




              This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
              – techaddict
              Oct 3 '14 at 3:36




              This is so dangerous that you should not be encouraging him to do it!
              – techaddict
              Oct 3 '14 at 3:36













              7














              Beware: Soldering Li-ion cells can be somewhat dangerous, as when they get hot such as during soldering they can tend to explode.






              share|improve this answer

















              • 3




                resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:35
















              7














              Beware: Soldering Li-ion cells can be somewhat dangerous, as when they get hot such as during soldering they can tend to explode.






              share|improve this answer

















              • 3




                resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:35














              7












              7








              7






              Beware: Soldering Li-ion cells can be somewhat dangerous, as when they get hot such as during soldering they can tend to explode.






              share|improve this answer












              Beware: Soldering Li-ion cells can be somewhat dangerous, as when they get hot such as during soldering they can tend to explode.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Jul 15 '09 at 12:11









              LegooolasLegooolas

              3,03752120




              3,03752120








              • 3




                resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:35














              • 3




                resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
                – techaddict
                Oct 3 '14 at 3:35








              3




              3




              resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
              – techaddict
              Oct 3 '14 at 3:35




              resulting in potentially imminent DEATH!
              – techaddict
              Oct 3 '14 at 3:35











              3














              Unless you have experience with electronics and soldering I wouldn't risk it. Batteries put together incorrectly have an unhealty disposition to extreme exothermic reactions (i.e. blow up) which can be quite fatal if you are close.






              share|improve this answer


























                3














                Unless you have experience with electronics and soldering I wouldn't risk it. Batteries put together incorrectly have an unhealty disposition to extreme exothermic reactions (i.e. blow up) which can be quite fatal if you are close.






                share|improve this answer
























                  3












                  3








                  3






                  Unless you have experience with electronics and soldering I wouldn't risk it. Batteries put together incorrectly have an unhealty disposition to extreme exothermic reactions (i.e. blow up) which can be quite fatal if you are close.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Unless you have experience with electronics and soldering I wouldn't risk it. Batteries put together incorrectly have an unhealty disposition to extreme exothermic reactions (i.e. blow up) which can be quite fatal if you are close.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Jul 18 '09 at 16:47









                  tomjentomjen

                  12819




                  12819























                      1














                      TL;DR version: Please don't try this at home.



                      About soldering: Soldering to Li-ion cells is very much not recommended. They can't take the high temperature. That's why spot welds are used.



                      Even without soldering, you are risking a battery fire.



                      You must NOT re-use old cells , even those that seem to test OK, in the same pack with new ones. Replace all the cells.



                      Rebuilders may test the cells they remove from old packs, but the "tested ok" cells do not get mixed with new ones in the rebuilt pack. Instead the cells that survive the first (superficial) tests are then tested very thoroughly to determine their useful capacity, voltage characteristics, etc. The rebuilder then combines them with cells that gave similar measurements to make up entire packs out of well-matched cells. Usually such packs include cells from several different "donor" packs. Then the pack is tested extensively before being sold.



                      As you can tell, it is a time-consuming process. (The testing of cells can at least be semi-automated.) Re-using cells from bad packs doesn't really make much sense unless are rebuilding a lot of bad packs. You are unlikely to get many well-matched sets otherwise.



                      At least.. all of the above is how the best rebuilders do it, and how it should be done. Li-ion battery fires, especially for a laptop-sized pack, are not anything you want to risk.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        1














                        TL;DR version: Please don't try this at home.



                        About soldering: Soldering to Li-ion cells is very much not recommended. They can't take the high temperature. That's why spot welds are used.



                        Even without soldering, you are risking a battery fire.



                        You must NOT re-use old cells , even those that seem to test OK, in the same pack with new ones. Replace all the cells.



                        Rebuilders may test the cells they remove from old packs, but the "tested ok" cells do not get mixed with new ones in the rebuilt pack. Instead the cells that survive the first (superficial) tests are then tested very thoroughly to determine their useful capacity, voltage characteristics, etc. The rebuilder then combines them with cells that gave similar measurements to make up entire packs out of well-matched cells. Usually such packs include cells from several different "donor" packs. Then the pack is tested extensively before being sold.



                        As you can tell, it is a time-consuming process. (The testing of cells can at least be semi-automated.) Re-using cells from bad packs doesn't really make much sense unless are rebuilding a lot of bad packs. You are unlikely to get many well-matched sets otherwise.



                        At least.. all of the above is how the best rebuilders do it, and how it should be done. Li-ion battery fires, especially for a laptop-sized pack, are not anything you want to risk.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          1












                          1








                          1






                          TL;DR version: Please don't try this at home.



                          About soldering: Soldering to Li-ion cells is very much not recommended. They can't take the high temperature. That's why spot welds are used.



                          Even without soldering, you are risking a battery fire.



                          You must NOT re-use old cells , even those that seem to test OK, in the same pack with new ones. Replace all the cells.



                          Rebuilders may test the cells they remove from old packs, but the "tested ok" cells do not get mixed with new ones in the rebuilt pack. Instead the cells that survive the first (superficial) tests are then tested very thoroughly to determine their useful capacity, voltage characteristics, etc. The rebuilder then combines them with cells that gave similar measurements to make up entire packs out of well-matched cells. Usually such packs include cells from several different "donor" packs. Then the pack is tested extensively before being sold.



                          As you can tell, it is a time-consuming process. (The testing of cells can at least be semi-automated.) Re-using cells from bad packs doesn't really make much sense unless are rebuilding a lot of bad packs. You are unlikely to get many well-matched sets otherwise.



                          At least.. all of the above is how the best rebuilders do it, and how it should be done. Li-ion battery fires, especially for a laptop-sized pack, are not anything you want to risk.






                          share|improve this answer












                          TL;DR version: Please don't try this at home.



                          About soldering: Soldering to Li-ion cells is very much not recommended. They can't take the high temperature. That's why spot welds are used.



                          Even without soldering, you are risking a battery fire.



                          You must NOT re-use old cells , even those that seem to test OK, in the same pack with new ones. Replace all the cells.



                          Rebuilders may test the cells they remove from old packs, but the "tested ok" cells do not get mixed with new ones in the rebuilt pack. Instead the cells that survive the first (superficial) tests are then tested very thoroughly to determine their useful capacity, voltage characteristics, etc. The rebuilder then combines them with cells that gave similar measurements to make up entire packs out of well-matched cells. Usually such packs include cells from several different "donor" packs. Then the pack is tested extensively before being sold.



                          As you can tell, it is a time-consuming process. (The testing of cells can at least be semi-automated.) Re-using cells from bad packs doesn't really make much sense unless are rebuilding a lot of bad packs. You are unlikely to get many well-matched sets otherwise.



                          At least.. all of the above is how the best rebuilders do it, and how it should be done. Li-ion battery fires, especially for a laptop-sized pack, are not anything you want to risk.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Dec 15 '18 at 18:21









                          Jamie HanrahanJamie Hanrahan

                          17.8k34078




                          17.8k34078















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