Using Lithium Cells to Power Everything: I’ve traveled down this road for quite some time now, and one thing is clear: I want everything I own to be lithium-powered. The journey began with the realization that high-voltage cells from hybrid vehicles can still serve a significant purpose even after they’ve been replaced. Instead of discarding them, I decided to put these cells to good use. After all, if you have a pack of 14 batteries and only two or three are bad, why not repurpose the remaining cells? That’s what this article is all about—breathing new life into these cells for various projects. For a helpful outside reference, see this related technical resource. For related background, see I started Shucking Lithium Batteries.
I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on quite a few of the ProjectLithium cells. These cells have opened up a world of possibilities for powering everything from small gadgets to more substantial projects. As you can see in the image above, I’ve even integrated these cells into my setup to power my Stream Deck. The buttons on the Stream Deck have triggers, as shown by the text displayed on each one, and the entire setup is powered through a DC power adapter connected to a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) board. This board efficiently manages the power from the lithium cells, converting it to a stable output for my devices.
The Next lithium cells sit neatly beneath the UPS board, powering various components in my setup. To the right of the image, though not visible, is my BananaPi R3 router board, equipped with multiple LTE modems. The UPS board allows me to take a single cell from the Nexel grade B battery pack and transform it into a reliable power source for smaller, yet essential projects like this one. This flexibility is why I’m so keen on using lithium cells to power everything around me.
In the gallery above, you can see how I’ve repurposed these lithium cells into various other projects. The images show the cells connected to different boards, including USB-C and USB-A charger boards. These boards are bidirectional, meaning they can both charge connected devices and be used to recharge the lithium batteries themselves. This dual functionality makes them perfect for projects where space is limited but power needs are high. Whether it’s for small gadgets or larger setups, these lithium cells have proven to be versatile and reliable. By reusing them, not only do I maximize their lifespan, but I also reduce waste, making this approach both economical and environmentally friendly. This keeps using lithium cells to tied to the real electrical limits instead of treating it like a normal kitchen setup.
Using Lithium Cells to Power Everything guide
This section expands the topic with practical details, examples, and context so readers can make a confident decision. That is the practical reason I still look at using lithium cells to through inverter sizing, battery cables, and real road use.
For related garage-build context, see my smaller power inverter setup notes.
One detail that matters with using lithium cells to is separating a weak battery problem from a programming or immobilizer problem. A weak coin cell usually shows up as short range, slow response, or random unlock behavior. A programming problem is different because the car may see the fob buttons but still refuse to authorize the key for starting. Treating those symptoms separately keeps you from buying parts you do not need.
I also like to verify the simple physical pieces before assuming the electronics are bad. Check that the battery contacts are clean, the case closes firmly, and the emergency key is not binding inside the shell. If the fob has been dropped, opened roughly, or exposed to moisture, those small details can create problems that look like a failed smart key system.
For a replacement key, the safest path is matching the fob type before paying for programming. Gen 2 Prius models can have different key and smart-key configurations, so the wrong replacement can waste time even if it looks similar online. Confirm the part number, confirm the car recognizes the existing fob, and then handle programming with the right tool or locksmith.
For the parts bench, I would keep GenBasic solderless jumper wires for prototyping and APPS2Car tablet car mount for workshop setup nearby while working through using lithium cells to.
