Anyone else using 18650 Li-ion cells in scanners and handhelds?

[owen000821]

I’ve been experimenting with powering some of my handheld radios and scanners using 18650 lithium-ion batteries instead of standard AA packs.

The good side is obvious: longer runtime, higher capacity, and fewer battery swaps. But I’ve run into a couple of concerns:

• Voltage differences – a fully charged 18650 puts out ~4.2V, while a pack of AAs is usually around 4.5V. Has anyone noticed performance issues because of this?
• Charger noise – I’ve seen interference on FM when charging. Do you guys usually charge cells outside the radio to avoid RFI?
• Safety – I’ve heard mixed opinions about protected vs. unprotected 18650s. Is “protected” always the safer bet for radios, or is it overkill?

I found this technical breakdown on 18650 cells pretty helpful: Kasuo – 18650 Battery Guide which covers chemistry, applications, and protection circuits.

Curious what setups others here are using and if anyone has tips for getting the most reliable performance out of these cells in radios/scanners.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I always charge batteries in an external charger, not for RFI issues, but for battery life. Charging in the radio is an emergency only thing for me. A good charger/conditioner will keep the batteries happy during charging; internal chargers tend to overheat the cells, shortening their life.

The chipset that provides protection for batteries is a source of RFI as well. Some sources claim that the protection is needed in high power circuits that don't have a controller in the equipment. If you're using them in an HT or a pack that you can touch easily, you won't over draw them, so avoid the protected batteries if you can.


I use a LOT of 18650s daily, and it's nice to have a radio that uses them as well. I just got a Raddy RF919 radio, and two 18650s give me 26 hours of continuous listening. They work out great for me because my long-term vaping habit ensures that I will ALWAYS have charged cells with me!

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I have rebuilt batteries for Motorola Saber, replacing 6 NIMH with two series lithium ion cells with BMS. I have specific 8.4 V wall warts for these and all works very well.