Very helpful post. But the primary cells are only 1.5 volts
Someone on ebay was selling replacement insulating rings (the black ring shown in the above photo), handy things to keep around for repairing damaged cells. I think I saw adhesive backed ones.
Also, for making button tops onto flat topped cells, small brass nuts (imperial size #2-56 or #3-48) and low melting point (255f/124c) solder is a handy fix.
> primary cells are only 1.5 volts
That’s true for alkaline.
NiMH are only 1.2v
Change the driver if you want to use primary or NiMH in a flashlight set up for li-ion
You can find mention of drivers for 1xAA or 1xNiMH (search “LDCH” here)
MtnElectronics has a one-mode driver.
Size and chemistry constrain the voltage.
Thank you gauss163. I’ve added something to the “Don’t use batteries with physical damage” section.
Or a pair of needle-nose pliers being used to rip the buss strips off a salvaged pack! (Don’t ask me how I know that)
It’s scary, but if you let yourself flinch it probably won’t end too badly. I’d show you a picture but the example I made was recycled long ago.
Good tip! Thanks!
Segurança de baterias de íons-lítio (Li-ion)
Motivo:
Muitas das lanternas discutidas/resenhadas/modificadas em Budget Light Forum (BLF) utilizam baterias recarregáveis de íons-lítio. O uso destas baterias apresenta alguns riscos, e requer mais precauções do que pilhas alcalinas. Mas como é o caso com qualquer ferramenta, quando usada corretamente, os riscos apresentados podem ser manejados e mitigados.
Público alvo:
Esta postagem indica precauções de segurança para usuários com pouca experiância com baterias íon-lítio. Não é uma tentativa de prover um tutorial completo sobre baterias íon-lítio nem as razões técnicas de seus perigos. A intenção é que seja um ponto inicial.
Há e sempre haverá discórdia sobre as regras de segurança. Algumas destas regras podem não ser aplicáveis aos de vocês que foram assistentes de laboratório para o Doutor Goodenough (link externo, ver post original), porém com sorte elas serão adequadas a usuários mais novos. Você deve prestar atenção ao seu conhecimento e nivel de experiência.
Baterias recarregáveis de íon-lítio podem ser usadas com segurança nas aplicações corretas.
Baterias recarregáveis de íon-lítio são perigosas se mal-utilizadas.
“Condições abusivas tais como sobrecarga, descarga excessiva e curtos internos podem levar a temperaturas muito além do especificado pelo fabricante. Em temperaturas críticas, uma série de reações exotérmicas pode se desencadear, as quais levam a um aquecimento ainda maior, que por sua vez aceleram a cinética das reações. Esta catastrófica degradação auto-acelerada da bateria íon-lítio é chamada thermal runaway, ou escape térmico. Durante o escape térmico, a bateria pode chegar a até 900ºC, com a liberação de vapores inflamáveis e tóxicos se inalados em grandes quantidades.”
Em caso de fogo envolvendo baterias de íon-lítio, procure atendimento médico imediatamente.
Mais leituras sobre baterias íon-lítio:
A Litany for Beginners: BLF decision - #47 by 1dash1
Search post for “safety” - LEDs & Other Stuff - (Reference Guide)
Li-ion Battery Safety and Shopping Guide - Li-ion Battery Safety and Shopping Guide
Li-ion Safety Concerns - Lithium-ion Safety Concerns - Battery University (link is external)
Lithium based batteries - BU-204: How do Lithium Batteries Work? - Battery University (link is external)
Battery Chemistry - https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wholesale-battery-reviews/18880255-ba… (link is external)
Types of Lithium Ion - BU-205: Types of Lithium-ion - Battery University (link is external)
Por favor avisem se eu esqueci algo ou disse alguma coisa errada.
Obrigado!
A tecnologia de baterias muda rapidamente. Favor checar a data de edição abaixo.
Cool Jack Kellar, thanks for adding Portuguese translation!!
All in a day’s work, my friend :face_with_monocle:
Thank you very much Jack! I’ll add a link from the main post.
Mr. Scott, thank you for this well done post. I just noticed the link in The Miller’s sig line. I’m always looking for something like this to refer new flashlight enthusiasts to. Nobody can cover every possible scenario but you have a very nice collection of the most important safety info here and I love all the translations. Nice work! 
Edit:
Thanks to your recycling links I just found a place on my route to work that will take not only lithium cells but the stupid CFL bulbs that I’ve been storing for the last year because nobody wants the stupid things and you shouldn’t throw them away because of all the nastiness inside those tubes. Thanks again!
http://i.imgur.com/PoGEsss.gifv
Gif is too big to post. Just a reminder not to keep loose cells in your pockets.
auch!
Wow that’s grim. Lucky him that it behaved more like a bottle rocket than a mini-bomb.
18650 Li-Ion Battery Safety:
Source: 18650 Battery Li-ion Rechargeable 3.7V Cells - Orbtronic
“The charger should charge at 4.2V +/- 0.05V”
Charge AT, or charge TO?
Even then, my 18650s are 4.35V, so some of them can be charged beyond 4.2V.
That is general guidance for 99% of people who use 4.2V Li-ion for flashlights (and now for vape as well) .
Some batteries can be safely discharged to 2V. It would be very dangerous to even talk about 4.35V, and 2V.
For many people even this much info is too much.
I assume that people who are using 4.35V already know li-ion basics.
Charge at CC 0.5A or 1A then at CV 4.2V to 4.2V (cutoff 100mA - 50mA)
How do you know those were loose cells? The title just says “Teachers E-Cigarette Explodes”
That would actually be way worse if they were properly installed in e-cig.
This really helps. Thank!
Nice thread. :+1:
Well I think I’ve discovered the answer to whether it’s safe to keep LiIon cells in a light in your car during the summer heat.
My old car just burned up tonight and in the center console was a Convoy C8 stuffed with an Efest 18650. The interior was totally engulfed in flames for about 8 minutes before the C8 went “pop” and flew out the open door onto the ground in a shower of bright white sparks which lasted about 5 seconds before subsiding. Just then the fire crew showed up and began doing what they could but of course by then the car was history.
The interior of the car was at least a couple hundred degrees+ for at least 6 minutes+ conservatively estimating before thermal runaway occurred. The light was in the closed center console which might have reduced it’s temps somewhat but given all that I saw tonight, I no longer have safety concerns for LiIon cells inside a light in my cars during summer’s heat. I’m sure it degrades the cells somewhat but I’m OK with that as long as they don’t self-ignite.
The fire started under the hood and I knocked it down 4-5 times before my extinguisher ran out. On the 3rd or 4th re-start I had the presence of mind to disconnect the car battery but something else was causing the re-ignition and I just didn’t have enough resources to win the battle. I quickly emptied the tool box etc from the trunk and was going for the dashcam and Convoy but the fire had gotten past the firewall at that point so no joy- time t stand back and watch. The cause of the fire was leaking power steering fluid which sprayed into something hot. It was at my nephew’s house and they have pics which I’ll add here later when I get them. The car was old with no fire coverage but I got my money’s worth from using it for 10 years so no great loss and I still have the work van and I’m OK so life goes on and I’ll get another car soon enough.
Phil