There are some issues with the use of 18650 Li-ion in systems that expect SLA cells. I think This link does a pretty good job of explaining why.
The situation I have is I'd like to have a UPS to use with computers, and I have a ton of 18650 cells I've got lying around, but there are no circuits that I can find that are really made for the use of 18650 Li-ion cells in this use case.
The UPS I have is kind of old and makes an unacceptable buzzing noise unless it's running off battery, about half the time. My current house does have reliable power service, so I'm not too worried about simply not using this UPS, but I'd like to look into what my options might be.
The main thing about a UPS or power bank if its main purpose is for powering or assisting in powering a computer is that it would be a good idea to somehow inject it halfway inside of the computer's own PSU: converting from DC (whether from solar panels or from a mains 120VAC --> 19VDC inverter) to the PC power needs (lots of 12V and the rest of the ATX stuff) is highly efficient.
So it comes down to how much flexibility we can accept with the whole setup. If we want to have a computer that accepts 120VAC and it isn't practical to use a separated power system in it, then there's not much of a way to avoid having the inverting circuitry.
I wanted to ask if anyone has experience comparing using a "battery bank" with an inverter as a UPS, vs using a regular UPS (whether modified for Lithium or not). Obviously the latter will have a USB connection that should handle auto shutdown for you, but honestly I'm kind of fine without that feedback, the only time my computer is doing something that is important that it stays running, I will be physically present anyway.
I am thinking that since I have so many cells to put to use, I really should ignore the urge to make an efficient system, and just try to stick to trying to build a powerful general purpose battery bank that I can use as a UPS with my computer(s), and the rest of my cells can go toward a powerwall or electric vehicles or something. I have enough cells that if I want I can make a power bank with enough capacity to keep the computer running for a whole day. As much as I'd like to explore "separated" DC power supply for my PCs (see https://www.mini-box.com/DC-DC and https://hdplex.com/hdplex-400w-hi-fi-dc-atx-power-supply-16v-24v-wide-range-voltage-input.html ) my current build uses a traditional power supply and the form factor isn't suitable for switching over (not to mention 400W wouldn't be enough).
The situation I have is I'd like to have a UPS to use with computers, and I have a ton of 18650 cells I've got lying around, but there are no circuits that I can find that are really made for the use of 18650 Li-ion cells in this use case.
The UPS I have is kind of old and makes an unacceptable buzzing noise unless it's running off battery, about half the time. My current house does have reliable power service, so I'm not too worried about simply not using this UPS, but I'd like to look into what my options might be.
The main thing about a UPS or power bank if its main purpose is for powering or assisting in powering a computer is that it would be a good idea to somehow inject it halfway inside of the computer's own PSU: converting from DC (whether from solar panels or from a mains 120VAC --> 19VDC inverter) to the PC power needs (lots of 12V and the rest of the ATX stuff) is highly efficient.
So it comes down to how much flexibility we can accept with the whole setup. If we want to have a computer that accepts 120VAC and it isn't practical to use a separated power system in it, then there's not much of a way to avoid having the inverting circuitry.
I wanted to ask if anyone has experience comparing using a "battery bank" with an inverter as a UPS, vs using a regular UPS (whether modified for Lithium or not). Obviously the latter will have a USB connection that should handle auto shutdown for you, but honestly I'm kind of fine without that feedback, the only time my computer is doing something that is important that it stays running, I will be physically present anyway.
I am thinking that since I have so many cells to put to use, I really should ignore the urge to make an efficient system, and just try to stick to trying to build a powerful general purpose battery bank that I can use as a UPS with my computer(s), and the rest of my cells can go toward a powerwall or electric vehicles or something. I have enough cells that if I want I can make a power bank with enough capacity to keep the computer running for a whole day. As much as I'd like to explore "separated" DC power supply for my PCs (see https://www.mini-box.com/DC-DC and https://hdplex.com/hdplex-400w-hi-fi-dc-atx-power-supply-16v-24v-wide-range-voltage-input.html ) my current build uses a traditional power supply and the form factor isn't suitable for switching over (not to mention 400W wouldn't be enough).
