How to Make 18650 Battery Holder at Home

Today, 18650 Li-ion cells are widely used in every day to day gadgets like mobile powerbanks, laptop batteries and much more. These cells are very useful and available in various different ampere ratings.

However, to use these batteries in DIY projects, we need specific holders to connect the battery as power source. The commercial Li-ion battery holders are quite expensive, so i decided to make 18650 Li-ion battery holder myself at home. In this instructable, we will learn how to make a 18650 battery holder at home and this technique can be used in making holders for any number of cells & in any series / parallel configuration.

Step 1: Watch the Video

There is no better tool than a video to understand the procedure. A detailed video provides deep insight to the procedure and also makes it easy to follow. However, also visit next steps for additional details and images.

Step 2: Order Parts

Ebay.com

General Purpose PCB Board - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Office paper Clips - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/...
Header pins - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/...
PCB switch - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/...
Soldering Iron - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Pliers - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...

Amazon.com

General Purpose PCB Board - https://amzn.to/2Qqhtnv
Office paper Clips - http://amzn.to/2q44oQw
Header pins - http://amzn.to/2vDsHe4
PCB switch - http://amzn.to/2frXxjk
Soldering Iron - http://amzn.to/2r3IX6g
Pliers - http://amzn.to/2qFg7rZ

Amazon.in

General Purpose PCB Board - http://amzn.to/2lkylJH
Office paper Clips - http://amzn.to/2qIBEhb
Header pins - http://amzn.to/2vNuuOg
PCB switch - http://amzn.to/2wGrgbJ
Soldering Iron - http://amzn.to/2qC47qG
Pliers - http://amzn.to/2qIxndN

Step 3: Let's Get Started

Unfold the office paper clips to 180 degrees such that it forms an "S".
Using Pliers, cut the paper clips into two parts such that one part resembles to a "U" shape.
Make two such pieces of "U-shaped" clips.
Cut a general purpose PCB board to an adequate size according to your needs depending on how many batteries and switches you want to place on it.
Insert the "U-shaped" clip at one of the ends on the PCB board.
Measure the distance from the inserted clip according to the size of the battery and then insert the other clip at the opposite side.
Solder both the clips on the PCB board.

Note: Solder the clips really well so that the copper doesn't peel off when inserting the batteries in the holder.

Step 4: Few Additions

Unfold the remaining parts of the clips to make a straight wire.
Insert the clip wire adjacent to the "U-shaped" clips such that it forms railing support for the batteries.
Make the railing support on both sides, so that battery gets well placed in the holder. Note: Make sure to refer to the images attached above to avoid any errors.
Add a switch to the PCB board and connect it to one of the clips.
Add two header pins that will be used to connect any peripheral device to the battery.
Connect one of the header pins to the switch and other pin to the holder terminal using an insulated wire as can be seen in the images above.

Step 5: Possible Upgrades

One of the easy upgrades is to make bigger versions of these battery holders to accommodate any number of batteries.
For making bigger Holders, follow the same method of soldering the office clips and then attach the railing at the ends.
Now, make connections between the holder terminals accordingly to form any series or parallel configuration.

Note: A TP4056 Charger can also be added to the battery holder to easily charge the batteries and provide under voltage protection to the batteries.

Step 6: Test the Battery Holder

Insert a 18650 battery in the holder and connect any peripheral device (like motors, LEDs, etc) to the header pins. Turn ON the switch and you will find that the battery holder works really well.

So friends, this here concludes the instructable, make one yourself easily at home and get rid of expensive battery holders forever. Stay tuned and don't forget to Follow my instructables to receive regular updates. In case you might have missed, watch the video and see how i made 18650 Battery holder at home.

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I also had a better idea to use 18650 batteries using magnets. Have a look at the instructable here or watch the video below.