Opus bt-c3100 no reverse polarity protection * confirmed*

I stayed up too late, trying to get internal resistance numbers for the batteries I bought online that I believe are counterfeit. I was comparing them to my real 30 Q’s, and I somehow absentmindedly put one in backwards it took me a few seconds to realize when the display did not light up correctly on that slot. I also noticed a bad smell and a small amount of smoke came out of the charging Bay from underneath the battery inside of the charger. Bay one seems like it is always getting power now, and reads the voltage as over four volts even when there’s no battery in it I do not believe this charger is safe to use anymore.

I doubt that anyone else plans on making this stupid mistake, but I never thought I would do it either the battery must have burnt or short-circuited something inside of that charger. I wonder if the battery is going to be ruined as well.
Long story short, I destroyed my favorite charger.

If it makes you feel any better, I fried an Xtar VC4 by plugging a 12vdc wall wart into it.

Live and learn.

I mark my wall warts now with a silver Sharpie, or yellow modeling paint, so I don’t do it again.

Chris

It’s the worst when you do something so avoidable. I will have to be on he wlookout for a new one. Or that engineer 500 one it looks comparable.
What did you replace with?

Thanks for the tip about no polarity protection, I always thought it had protection, maybe that is something Opus should update on their products.

I would have thought but would. If it does then it is not reliable, it’s a good thing I stood there and waited on the display, I could have burned my house down.

I’ve put batteries in backwards on mine before & the display just say null , you may have a dodgy unit.

The key might be that he put one in backwards and not all of them in backwards. Many things have reverse polarity but if you manage to put something in series it causes other problems. Just a guess though. I know the Q8 flashlight is like this.

I believe it did say null, and I waited for it to change to a voltage read out, and that’s when I realized I messed up, and I removed the battery and some smoke came up from the slot. It’s ruined. =-(
Maybe it was a bad unit, it was only in there a few seconds.

I did have 3 in correctly, just that first one I made a big mistake.

My Opus BT-C3100 doesn’t do anything when inserting a cell backwards. Just says “null”. Have had it for three years and I know I’ve accidentally put flat top cells in backwards on several occasions. It’s easy to do.

edit… just tried it again

Did the same thing with a version 1.1
It is because the other banks are loaded that the protection is then voided.
Believe it has to do do with the toggling/alternate charging algorithm.

Anyway, on mine slot 1 just would only charge at like 150 mAh, so it was used for those wimpy 10440 LifePo’s until it got replaced with ver 2
Later,

Keith

[quote=Muto]
Did the same thing with a version 1.1
It is because the other banks are loaded that the protection is then voided.
Believe it has to do do with the toggling/alternate charging algorithm.

Anyway, on mine slot 1 just would only charge at like 150 mAh, so it was used for those wimpy 10440 LifePo’s until it got replaced with ver 2 :

I won’t trust slot one now, it reads over 4 volts with no cell inserted, I don’t think it’s safe to use the other slots because slot one is destroyed. Maybe I’ll disassemble it, and see what is toasted. It’s not like I’ll void my warranty :person_facepalming:

[quote=JakeDjanitor]

+What voltage does it read when a cell is inserted?

Pulled mine apart shortly after the issue, couldn’t see anything toasted. Probably a chip.
Good luck.

Just tried it again with 3 inserted correctly, and one backwards. Tried it on all 4 slots. Reverse polarity still works fine on my unit.

I wonder what failed on my unit, I didn’t have time today, but maybe tomorrow I can try it again, and I will see what voltage it reads for a freshly charged cell. Maybe I can take it apart and find out what exactly went wrong and short circuited . there is no way that it was just a coincidence that I inserted a cell backwards, and fried out that bay. but if it was purely coincidental, that is my luck it seems.

I am a bit surprised that others would risk ruining their charger to see if it has reverse polarity protection. But I am glad that you guys did, it makes me want to buy the same exact charger again.

I didn’t see it as a risk, since I’ve accidentally put them in backwards on multiple occasions. You can always use the charger as a storage charger. Switch it to the 3.7v mode and use it to discharge for battery storage

If you do decide to buy another charger, might consider this: Zanflare C4 for $18 at amazon with coupon

Seemed to be rated pretty similarly to the Opus, not sure if it has all the features you want, but for the price hard to not at least consider. Does advertise reverse polarity protection.

Works fine on my unit I’ve had my wife insert one backwards before and sit there all day backwards until I got home. That never happened again. But it’s worked a few times. But apparently something faulty with the unit. At least you were paying attention enough to notice right away. Since there is a malfunction with your unit. Most chargers as of today and flashlights not all but most. Have reverse protection either physical or electrical. I guess everything has a small failure rate unfortunately. Never heard of it failing on a opus before.

:blush: :person_facepalming:

I hope I never make this mistake again. I will look at that charger, but the opus was my go to charger. I still have others that will fit the bill. I will probably wait until there is a good sale either way. Also engineer 500 looks nice.

I suppose defects happen, I got a few solid years out of this charger. I will rip into it to see
What I can find and report back