Battery, button or flat top Page 1 of 3

Battery, button or flat top

LiIon batteries exist in many sizes, but even within the same size, there are differences. Here I am looking
at the plus pole on the battery, it can either be raised (button top) or not (flat top). This is a small
difference, but sometimes it is the crucially factor between working or not working equipment. All pictures
show 18650 batteries and equipment, but the flat/button top factor does also exist in other sizes.

The first two pictures show some classic button top batteries, the plus pole is raised above the rest of the
battery.

These two batteries has much more flat plus pole, but only one is a true flat top, the other is a button top
with a large diameter button.

A ruler on top of the batteries, on the first one the plus pole makes solid contact with the ruler, i.e. the plus
pole is raised above the plastic. On the second battery the ruler makes contact with plastic first, i.e. the top
is flat.

http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/Battery%20button%20or%20flat%20UK.html 30-Jul-16
Battery, button or flat top Page 2 of 3

Here is the battery connection in 3 flashlight heads. The first one has a raised top, the second one has a
spring, both will work with both button top and flat top batteries. But the last one has only a flat circuit
board and will not work with a flat top battery.

Some flashlights has a ridge or some bumps around the plus pole as a mechanical polarity protection. This
may restrict the size of the battery plus pole. I.e. only batteries with a small plus pole may be able to work
in this kind of light.

http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/Battery%20button%20or%20flat%20UK.html 30-Jul-16
Battery, button or flat top Page 3 of 3

When connecting batteries in series, i.e. equipment that needs two or more batteries, flat top batteries can
also be a problem. The first picture shows a button top that connects with another battery. On the next
picture is a typical battery bottom, it is flat and has some plastic around the edge, i.e. the plus pole of the
connection battery must be raised more than the plastic thickness to make connection. The last picture
shows the minus pole on AW's flat top battery, there are some bumps, making it possible to connect to a
flat plus pole, i.e. these batteries can be used in series.

In my battery reviews I will use SB for the small diameter button top and LB for the large diameter button
top. The flat top will be called flat.

http://www.lygte-info.dk/info/Battery%20button%20or%20flat%20UK.html 30-Jul-16