How to Find 18650 Batteries for Your uConsole

All uConsoles ship without any batteries, so unless you’re going to stay tethered to your USB charger you’ll need to get a hold of some in order to go mobile with your uConsole (which is why you bought it, right?)

Finding quality, inexpensive 18650 batteries isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. Unlike common AA cells, there’s a multitude of different brands and options, and many can be counterfeit.

Protected vs Unprotected Cells

The uConsole should accept both protected and unprotected cells. The ClockworkPi site states “carefully designed the battery holder to make it more compatible with various 18650 battery sizes: Ø18±0.5mm diameter, 65-69mm length.” Choosing whether you want to go with protected or unprotected cells is up to you.

Battery swapping

Keep in mind that while the uConsole is built to be user-serviceable, there is no dedicated battery door for hot swapping batteries, something I realized when assembling my unit!

Disassembling the back panel also means separating the rear aluminum panel from the gooey thermal pad you attach to the CPU. So you probably won’t want to be unscrewing the back all the time just to swap out batteries.

Long story short, plan to invest in a good set of 18650 cells that you keep in your uConsole!

Finding Batteries

The general advice is do not order 18650 cells from Amazon or AliExpress. However, for some of us venturing outside of our convenient Prime shipping might be a struggle.

Here are some different sources for locating appropriate cells for your uConsole that are less likely to be counterfeit!

1. Vape & e-cigarette Shops ($$$)

Many eCigarette and vape shops will sell 18650-style batteries in a retail setting which makes them easy to run out and get last-minute, in case your uConsole showed up on your doorstep before you had the chance to order some!

Keep in mind these will usually have a retail markup, and there will be limited selection of brands and capacities. Their quality may vary as well, but generally brick and mortar stores will have done a certain level of research so as not to sell risky products to vapers who keep them in their pockets all day long.

If this sounds too expensive or you hate the smell of bubblegum vape juice, read on!

2. Battery & Electronic Stores ($$$)

Most cities will have an electronic supply or dedicated battery store which will sell you quality cells. These stores will vary by your region, so have a look on Google Maps for battery store.

Many shops focus on units for large DC power banks, solar, UPS and transportation purposes, but they often stock a few different 18650 cells for rebuilding battery packs or in devices like your uConsole!

While brick and mortar electronic supply stores are becoming fewer and far between, there are still some operating storefronts that can help you out!

Have a look in your region for battery store or electronic supply!

3. This Reddit Post

Online retailers can be hit or miss, but thankfully are serious battery builders evaluating their performance.

There is a great subreddit subs dedicated to everyone’s favourite battery cell. Checkout this buying guide with plenty of discussion dating back years.

Source: [Buying 18650 Batteries? Start Here]

4. Parametrek.com

You may have spotted it on the reddit post above, but Parametric.com offers a great way to source different types of 18650 batteries and associated products. Check it out below!

Source: Parametrek.com

6. Upcycle your old battery packs

This last option is not for the inexperienced, and while I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, it is personally the route I chose because it was the option I had lying around!

If you have another device like a flashlight that uses 18650 cells you can obviously get going fairly quickly by borrowing them from a device like that. However lots of other batteries use 18650 cells internally and can be “harvested” for your uConsole.

Many cylindrical portable power banks such as this one are simple 18650 cells with a small charging circuit around them. You might have received a few of these as gifts or in a panic buy at the airport before getting on a long haul flight.

They can be disassembled for their cells quite easily, but just be careful not to short them out in the process! Most chargers integrate bare unprotected cells