18650 Battery Lifespan

How long should 18650 batteries last when they are not being regularly cycled?

I bought 4 batteries a while ago, but they have been sitting since the shipping delays. I only have a couple flashlights to help cycle the batteries. I don’t think I’m cycling the batteries enough to keep them healthy.

Does anyone have any recommendations on maintaining battery health?

If they are factory fresh they should be fine; they come shipped with a factory charge and have a low self discharge rate. I’ve pulled 18650s out of laptop packs that had been sitting for a decade plus that work fine, a bit below rated capacity, but fine otherwise. I would just pop them and charge with the console when you get it. Even the most lightly rated battery isn’t going to be taxed all that much in a uconsole.

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