Close call - battery meltdown out of the clear blue

Another thing to watch out for is battery bulging. When I started out with lithium ion I had some 10440’s (blue Ultrafires IIRC) that I noticed were bulging when I removed them from the charger. From what I had learned at this forum, I deep-sixed them immediately.

Do you remember actually physically abusing that battery? Was it ever dropped onto concrete or anything?

No. Acquired new. Just went crazy one day.

I had a close call with my APC Smartups UPS overcharging it’s lead acid batteries a few years ago. Luckily I was in the basement when I smelled overheated electronics. If I wasn’t around my house could have burned down. Needless to say, I replaced the UPS.


I suppose after reading this, I’ll take my rattling 35E outside for the night…

Honestly, as a person preferring protected batteries, there is one thing that seriously concerns me using these: the protection circuit itself ironically. You know the metal tab going from the negative to the positive and behind it is some kapton tape to prevent shorting. If the alignment is tad off, or the kapton tape is partially ripped or something, it pretty much means a potential game over. And you all know how terrifying made in China hand work can be…
So I do wonder whether it was the protection circuit instead of the cell itself that caused this potential fiasco.

you do understand that *.fire batteries can be worn out junk relabled?
ran to 0v in a junk pack and force charged to test then resleeved.
cant even blame this event on a poor protection issue as its not protected.
abused overdischarged cells can do just what that one did.short internally with no warning.

Even so,
Worry about this!
No matter how good the cells you own are, owning 2 cells is twice as dangerous as owning 1, 4 cells are four times more likely to give you a problem.
Granted, with quality cells the risk is very low, but accumulate enough cells and sooner or later one is liable to bite you.

Just something else to worry about.

So it’s a fact we’re dealing with an unprotected cell? I can’t tell myself.

A lot of ultrafire cells are just junk smaller batteries inside the shell with sand around. Or worn out laptop pulls relabeled best case is old China lab making them. The Chinese labs can only make ICR batteries they don’t have the money to update to the equipment needed for imr inr batteries. Besides quality like plb or etc. Hence why 26650 maxes out around 5200ish. If a top tier company made them could easily see 7000mah. If you google Chinese battery recycling you can see the 55 gallon drums of tens of thousands of batteries piled up waiting to be graded.

Sounds like an internal short.
Personally I never cheap out on batteries.
Never had any issues with LiPO.

If you are scared, store them all in metal containers so that if they do ignite they will get oxygen starved quickly.

I have matches, propane, lipos, and all kinds of dangerous stuff in my room and I’m still alive :wink:

Massive pile of junk battery`s at the back.

https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wholesale-battery-reviews/18852875-recycled-grade-c-18650-batteries-from-china

John.

I can’t tell either from the pic but it’s a pretty safe bet given the brand. Lots of Amazon/Ebay “protected” cells don’t have any real protection circuit or even vents. They just copy the buzz-words in their product descriptions and inflate the mAh ratings to sell their 18650 pipe bombs. I have one that’s wrapped just like that in a fire proof safe that doesn’t seem so fire proof when the ignition source may be on the inside.

Have you THOROUGHLY vented out the room/area that this happened in? Lithium batteries out-gas hydrofluoric acid (HFA) which is extremely toxic even in small amounts. Inhaled HFA has no immediate side-effect or pain but you could have delayed onset symptoms days or weeks later. Florine toxicity is very serious and can have long-term or permanent consequences. I would stay out of that room and keep all windows open for a minimum of 24 hours, potentially get everyone out of the entire house, personally. Be on the lookout for any strange symptoms over the next couple weeks - this includes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, mood changes, tinnitus, neuropathy, etc. If you have any symptoms, go to a doctor immediately and let them know you have been exposed to HFA.

That shape at the left end of the cell often indicates a PCB which is the protection circuit.
It probably doesn’t have an actual protection circuit, but clearly something is there.

I’m glad this turned out with a good ending Zebretta. :+1: … :slight_smile:

And I am sure you know it by now….
………….but everything anyone needs to know about these batteries are contained in the picture you took.
The name & the mAh rating……… :wink:

CrapFires” are just that……… crap. And no 18650 battery has that mAh rating… that is crap too. :slight_smile:
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.
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About the only thing I know of with “Fire” in the name that can be trusted is “WindyFire” & I can only speak of their 14500 Red ones. Cause that is the only ones of those I have.

Glad you are ok.That is the most important thing. :+1:

I think we all know this and most would agree w/ this but I will repeat it!

The odds of that happening w/ a QUALITY battery[Samsung/Sanyo/LF/Sony/Panasonic] are a lot less.

I wouldn’t use a “Pick ur Fire” battery if you paid me or gave me ones for free!

The Only “fire” I used is Windyfire IMR 14500 That HKJ reviewed.Besides the aforementioned, I never used a Surefire but that would be the only other “Fire” that is a quality battery.

I still can not comprehend why someone would use these batteries just to save a few dollars when the performance is sub par and the risks of an accident increase. :person_facepalming:

The only fire batteries I trust is thorfire. The 5000mah 26650 tested out good. Good to about 10amps before major sag.
And from people on here unwrapping the 18650s they are a Samsung rewrap.

I’ve heard windyfire mentioned before but don’t have any experience with them

Its already in the ‘brand’ name FIRE
Be warned to keep away from that brands cells.

Battery safety 101

… I think I’m going to fully discharge all my Cytac (unknown cell) 2400 mAh and ditch them… Sticking with Panasonic, Samsung and Sanyo only…