Can't get 18650 PVC wrap to wrap around negative terminal fully. See pics*

[mike910mx]

Hi Everyone,

Bought these blue 18650 PVC wraps from Illumn, and no matter what I do I cannot get them to shrink around the negative terminal fully. I was using a hair dryer at first, and thought maybe I wasn't getting enough heat on them. Then, I bought a 2-temp heat gun, and it's the same. I've tried different techniques, ripping them off, and trying again. No luck. I cannot get them to shrink around that negative terminal like they are when we all buy them initially. Does anybody else notice this? Does anybody else care and am I'm being concerned for nothing? I feel like eventually they may start catching on mod contacts. I'm about to buy some more pvc wraps from IMR batteries to try them. They come a little shorter too at 72mm, versus the ones at Illumn that are around 75mm long and need to be trimmed some.


Here are the ones I did with a blow dryer on High heat, and High air flow:

And here is one that I just did with a Heat Gun, on low heat, at an advertised temp of 482 F.

I've searched the forum for anyone else noticing this, and couldn't find anything. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this, and/or if anyone else purchases PVC wraps from somewhere that this does not happen at all. If so, maybe you can tell me where you get your wraps? These PVC wraps from Illumn definitely do seem a little thicker than all of the ones that came on the batteries from the manufacturer's of the ones that I own. Thanks a lot in advance.




Mike

 

[zoiDman]

Hi Everyone,

Bought these blue 18650 PVC wraps from Illumn, and no matter what I do I cannot get them to shrink around the negative terminal fully. I was using a hair dryer at first, and thought maybe I wasn't getting enough heat on them. Then, I bought a 2-temp heat gun, and it's the same. I've tried different techniques, ripping them off, and trying again. No luck. I cannot get them to shrink around that negative terminal like they are when we all buy them initially. Does anybody else notice this? Does anybody else care and am I'm being concerned for nothing? I feel like eventually they may start catching on mod contacts. I'm about to buy some more pvc wraps from IMR Batteries to try them. They come a little shorter too at 72mm, versus the ones at Illumn that are around 75mm long and need to be trimmed some.


Here are the ones I did with a blow dryer on High heat, and High air flow:
View attachment 545858

View attachment 545859


And here is one that I just did with a Heat Gun, on low heat, at an advertised temp of 482 F.
View attachment 545860


I've searched the forum for anyone else noticing this, and couldn't find anything. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this, and/or if anyone else purchases PVC wraps from somewhere that this does not happen at all. If so, maybe you can tell me where you get your wraps? These PVC wraps from Illumn definitely do seem a little thicker than all of the ones that came on the batteries from the manufacturer's of the ones that I own. Thanks a lot in advance.




Mike

I Don't think they look too bad.

One thing that might make them an Itty Bit better is to Press the Negative End of the Battery onto something Flat while it is still Warm.

Also doing the Negative End 1st works best for me.

 

[VapieDan]

I Don't think they look too bad.

One thing that might make them an Itty Bit better is to Press the Negative End of the Battery onto something Flat while it is still Warm.

Also doing the Negative End 1st works best for me.

I agree with this technique. Also I have noticed a vast difference in different wrap materials. You may wish to try a different brand and or color.

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

How close are you applying the heat? General tip I've read from numerous battery wrapping guides is that the heat gun isn't too close as long as your hand can handle it. If they're uncomfortable, back it up!

 

[mike910mx]

I Don't think they look too bad.

One thing that might make them an Itty Bit better is to Press the Negative End of the Battery onto something Flat while it is still Warm.

Also doing the Negative End 1st works best for me.

Ok I will rip them off and give this technique a try. Also, like @VapieDan mentions I intend on trying another PVC wrap from another vendor. The Illumn ones are thick, but that's probably for good reason.

How close are you applying the heat? General tip I've read from numerous battery wrapping guides is that the heat gun isn't too close as long as your hand can handle it. If they're uncomfortable, back it up!

I would say I have the tip of the heat gun approximately 3 inches from the batteries during the process. I've tried going a little closer to get more heat on the negative terminal, but 1 inch or 3 inches doesn't seem to matter. I'll try backing it up a little, and pressing it down on the table while still warm.

 

[sonicbomb]

Try a slightly thinner wraps material. Don't worry so much.

 

[mike910mx]

Try a slightly thinner wraps material. Don't worry so much.

Cool. I was just wondering if there was anyone out there that buys PVC wraps, wraps their batteries, and gets the negative terminal to shrink perfectly flat. And if so, where do those PVC wraps come from. There's no way of knowing which PVC wraps would be thinner until I buy them and try them. They're cheap but trying to avoid the time it'll take for trial and error if I could find out what others used and are happy with.

 

[sonicbomb]

I use these
use the side bar to select different colours.

 

[mike910mx]

I use these
use the side bar to select different colours.

Thanks. I'm assuming those rolls you buy you do not have the lifting on the negative terminal like I have. I've never ordered anything from Fasttech. Not sure if you live in the U.S., but I've always read it takes weeks for anything from Fasttech to get to the U.S. I see a lot of PVC wrap options on Amazon that come in rolls. I'll keep exploring my options for thinner ones sold here in the U.S.

 

[AstroTurf]

Hi Everyone,

Bought these blue 18650 PVC wraps from Illumn, and no matter what I do I cannot get them to shrink around the negative terminal fully. I was using a hair dryer at first, and thought maybe I wasn't getting enough heat on them. Then, I bought a 2-temp heat gun, and it's the same. I've tried different techniques, ripping them off, and trying again. No luck. I cannot get them to shrink around that negative terminal like they are when we all buy them initially. Does anybody else notice this? Does anybody else care and am I'm being concerned for nothing? I feel like eventually they may start catching on mod contacts. I'm about to buy some more pvc wraps from IMR Batteries to try them. They come a little shorter too at 72mm, versus the ones at Illumn that are around 75mm long and need to be trimmed some.


Here are the ones I did with a blow dryer on High heat, and High air flow:
View attachment 545858

View attachment 545859


And here is one that I just did with a Heat Gun, on low heat, at an advertised temp of 482 F.
View attachment 545860


I've searched the forum for anyone else noticing this, and couldn't find anything. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this, and/or if anyone else purchases PVC wraps from somewhere that this does not happen at all. If so, maybe you can tell me where you get your wraps? These PVC wraps from Illumn definitely do seem a little thicker than all of the ones that came on the batteries from the manufacturer's of the ones that I own. Thanks a lot in advance.




Mike

Have you tried an iron? With a towel over it?

 

[Froth]

I usually use a butane torch to re-wrap mine on medium high heat, the high heat flame ensures the wrap gets nice and pliable and once I have the wrap very formed and pliable I will heat the ends and as they are very hot I will push them on to my desk at both ends, seems to solve the wrap being slightly "bunched up" on the end bits.

 

[mike910mx]

Have you tried an iron? With a towel over it?

Lol no I have not tried that. Are you being serious?

 

[mike910mx]

I usually use a butane torch to re-wrap mine on medium high heat, the high heat flame ensures the wrap gets nice and pliable and once I have the wrap very formed and pliable I will heat the ends and as they are very hot I will push them on to my desk at both ends, seems to solve the wrap being slightly "bunched up" on the end bits.

Cool. That seems to be something that keeps coming up. Get it nice and hot and push it down on a flat surface. I will definitely try that today. I will say, that after heating it and seeing that it doesn't sit flush on the flat negative terminal, I have tried pushing it down with my finger immediately and it doesn't stay. It just springs back up off the terminal. I will try to be quicker and press it down while it's still hot and pliable.

 

[AstroTurf]

Lol no I have not tried that. Are you being serious?

Yes, I am.

Use common sense of course.

Jim

 

[mike910mx]

Yes, I am.

Use common sense of course.

Jim

For sure. A little touch up, some quick on/off action with the iron. I'll see how the pressing down on a hard flat surface goes while it's still hot and pliable, and keep the iron option on the table. Thanks.

 

[BackDoc]

astro, do you set the iron to permanent press? and use steam,or no steam?

 

[AstroTurf]

astro, do you set the iron to permanent press? and use steam,or no steam?

Too Funny, Thanks!!!

 

[mike910mx]

With these Illumn PVC wraps, getting them hot and pliable then quickly pressing down on a hard flat surface, did not make them press flat on the negative terminal. The results were no different. I will get some wraps elsewhere and try some other ones.