I just received an order from banggood (two of the BLF A6 + Samsung 30Q bundles, for presents). The flashlights are fine, but the batteries are not recognized by either my Xtar or Nitecore chargers. Testing with a multimeter shows 0V for both, so on a whim I jammed the probe past the vent to contact the flat part of the positive end, and both batteries then show 3.4V. So, somehow there is no contact between the vent and the battery? That seems bizarre. Anyone else experience that before?
Did you remove the tiny transparent plastic spacers covering the terminals?
It’s not easy to notice, but try and peel it off.
Well, don’t I feel stupid now. Even after your suggestion, it took me a long time to find the plastic covering, since it was only on the negative end. I think when I was jamming the probe in the positive end, I must’ve accidentally pressed hard enough on the negative end to punch through and make contact. Regardless, after scraping away on the negative end, an extremely transparent film came off — I never did see it before it started peeling away.
Thanks!
Dont feel bad. Many others have done the same thing… including me. The transparent films are the worst.
I’d run into the same problem, but there was definitely no foil on the positive end.
Q series have a short-circuit protection. In case of accidental short-out, that fuse will burn and there is no contact to the inner positive pole of the cell.
If you remove the cap and stick a nail directly in the middle you will have your positive pole back, but removing the cap is difficult and putting one back even more difficult.
If you hammer a nail in a Q30 you will start fireworks, seriously recommending this bullshit?
Really? Just signed up today and he’s giving this “expert” advise :person_facepalming:
@Lexel how many 18650 Q series did you dissect ?
If you need fireworks you can use the nail perpendicular to the cell.
There is little play to get into the free center between the rolled lithium foils, if you hit it you get fireworks
Anyways you Make this way a dangerous cell that lost its main security feature, also steel does not conduct current well so it heats up
The cell already vented so it got way too hot
The only proper way for such a cell is discharge or tape it and dispose it to battery recycling
Yes, you have to be exact with the center, but inside there’s a plastic cap with a center hole of which diameter is exactly what you must not exceed if you want to reconnect to the positive pole safely.
This is of course just a way to confirm the cell still works, there is no less than very difficult way to rebuild it once the fuse is fired.
I agree with disposal in this case. It would not worth the time and effort to save the cell.
I can post a pic of a what I described, I still have a Q13 dissected and that I occasionally use for various testing, but I’ll have to get to my hometown first.