18650 -> 2 "D" Cells

thingiverse

Looking through the various prints that use a lithium 18650 cell in place of 2 D Cells, I ran across designs that required print support or parts I didn't have on hand. There was one that used aluminum foil which was intriguing but when I printed, it didn't work in my application so I ended up designing my own. I'd link this as a re-mix but I can no longer find the thing this is based off of. No printing supports or rafts are required and heavy duty aluminum foil about 4 layers thick works well once folded into a 5/16 inch (8mm) wide and 3.5 (90 mm) long strip. I however use 8mm nickel strips that I have on-hand for spot welding lithium batteries. The nickel strips are better since they are more robust but a thicker strip of thicker aluminum would work similarly if you had a source. I suggest a strip from a frozen dinner but I don't think there are many that use aluminum containers. Maybe a pop can? Please keep in mind that a single 18650 is about 0.7 volt higher than 2 D cells. So make sure your equipment can accept this before using. In case you are wondering what I use that requires D cells, in the United States, simple gasoline (petrol) cans (plastic transfer tanks) now require a spring loaded valve to dispense fuel. This may work well for tiny engines such as mowers or leaf blowers but I use them almost exclusively for old tractors which hold many times the amount in a 6 gallon gas can . I now spill way more fuel than before and the long duration that I have to hold a gas can in mid-air cause ergonomic problems. To remedy this, I use a battery operated pump. Adding the danger of electricity and motors near gasoline and batteries to landfills. A less than ideal situation but I guess that is what governments are for.