Rewrapping 18650s hints and tips?
I actually Do. And I stumbled onto a New Tech the last time I did a Battery.
1 - Cut your wrap so there is about 3/16" - 4.5mm of Excess on Both Ends.
2 - Center the Wrap on the Battery and grip it at the Center of the Battery.
3 - Heat the Negative End of the Battery while Rotating the battery. When the Negative End shrinks flat, put the Negative End on something Flat and Heat Resistant like a counter Tile or a Diner Plate.
4 - Now with the Battery Standing Upright with the Negative End on the Tile/Plate, put the Insulator Ring on the Positive End. Now put your Index Finger on the Flat Top/Button Top to keep the Insulator from Blowing away in the next step.
5 - (Here's the New and Improved Tech) With the Battery still on the Tile/Plate, and your Finger still on the Flat Top/Button Top keeping the Insulator in place, Point the Blow Dryer at the bottom portion of the battery until you see the Wrap start to shirk. Now Move the heat Up the Battery chasing the Shrink until it gets to the Top and Curls over the Insulator.
6 - Now the Insulator should be trapped enough that you can just keep your Finger on the Top of the Battery just to keep it from falling over.
7 - Rotate the Battery about 90 Degrees or so and Repeat Step #5.
8 - Once the Sides are gone and the Top is Pretty much Curled Over, give the Top a Good Blast to heat it up and then Immediately press the Top into a Towel or wadded up T-Shirt.
---
The Tech of Chasing the Shrink Up the Battery tends to keep Minimize Air Pockets and Wrinkles. And allows you to put More Heat onto the Wrap without Blasting your Hand at the Same Time.
ETA: Most of the Pre-Cut wraps I have bought come cut a Tad Too Long. And need to be Trimmed by .125"/3mm or so.
If you are having a hard time getting the Negative End or the Positive End (or Both) laying Flat, it is usually a Good Sign that the Wrap was Too Long.
zoiDman,
Feb 22, 2017 Report
