Lithium-ion battery safety 101

Never seen a primary (alkaline) in that size, but look for “4/3A” size cells. Might exist.

The “18650” li-ion was created as a same-size replacement for the 4/3AF NiMH cell, which was widely used in battery packs for computers and bike lights etc.

You can still find those for sale many places.

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.

That is a great reminder from @gauss163

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.”

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! :beer:

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:

  • 18650 batteries should never be discharged below 2.5V.
  • Open circuit voltage of discharged battery (after resting period) should always be above 3.2V
  • Battery cell should be charged to the voltage level of 4.2V (full charge) before first use.
  • Do not use force to install (insert) li-ion battery.
  • It is important to use only li-ion chargers (with proper CC/CV charging) made specifically for li-ion batteries.
  • Exposing cells to extreme heat is very bad for rechargeable batteries (li-ion).
  • Situation when battery positive and negative connect is extremely dangerous. It is called short circuit - avoid at all costs.
  • Spare battery should be always kept in plastic case/holder. We usually include plastic protective batt. case with your 18650 cells.
  • Do not use chargers that are charging battery over 4.21V (discard that charger).
  • You should not charge Li-ion batteries unattended.
  • Try to put freshly charged batteries to rest for 10 min. before discharging them in your device.
  • Storing batteries for extended period of time (4 weeks and more) at full 4.2V will have negative impact on battery performance.
  • Keep in mind that storing batteries in dry, and cool conditions is very good and necessary to maintain good battery performance.
  • Never try to charge (or discharge) li-ion batteries with chargers that are not made for Li-ion batteries.
  • Discharging battery that is connected with reversed polarity is dangerous. Battery must be inserted with correct polarity orientation.
  • User should have enough knowledge on Li-Ion rechargeable batteries: in charging, discharging, handling, and proper storage before use.

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: