A question on wrapping batteries.

[DarrellG]

I needed to re-wrap some 30Q's for the first time. I ordered the wraps from KidneyPuncher.
I've checked out some related reading and video. It seems pretty damn easy, but I've run into a bit of snag.

The wraps are a bit on the thick side, which seems nice for safety, but when shrinking them with my hair dryer I ended up with about a 2mm convex lip on the positive end. At one point I had the hair dryer just a few inches away and was heating for about 7-10 seconds and the wrap still wouldn't flatten out. I'm guessing if I kept going it would have done the trick, but not being experienced with this I decided to stop because it just didn't feel safe. Could this process actually result in overheating an 18650 to dangerous levels?

The re-wrapped batteries sit and function fine in my mod. I can live with them as is. But it brought the question of heat to mind, so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks!

 

[sonicbomb]

You're good, no danger what so ever.

 

[wheelie]

All is good. Sometimes I flatten ends down while warm with my fingers then heat it some more with the blow dryer. Usually lay batteries on counter because they get to warm to hold on to under the blow dryer. Guess I have tender hands. Just remember not to lose the washer type insulator that is on the positive side of the battery. CHEERS!

 

[mongo74]

Your safe. No danger at all. It's not an industrial heat gun blowing 1000f heat.

 

[dc99]

You can heat it more than you think. I actually do mine with a heat gun. Heats the wrap so fast the battery doesn't have time to get hot.

 

[DarrellG]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Appreciated.

Thanks for the tips, Wheelie. I picked up a couple packs of those insulator rings as well, just to have them on hand.

Given that the heat range we're talking about is apparently fine for this application, it still prompted a related question that maybe you guys could chime in on. My gut was telling me that a warm battery caused from external heat isn't quite the same scenario as a warm battery caused from discharging, in terms of safety. Is this an accurate assumption? I just imagine that if two batteries were relatively the same warmth to the touch (I'm no Mooch...), but one got there from external heating and the other from usage, that the former would not be at as high of a temperature internally, i.e. potentially prone to less cycle life or worse.

 

[zoiDman]

...

The wraps are a bit on the thick side, which seems nice for safety, but when shrinking them with my hair dryer I ended up with about a 2mm convex lip on the positive end. ...

This is Usually Caused by the Wrap being a Tad Too Long.

If you are going to Redo them, try cutting about 1/16 of an Inch or so from the Overall Length of the Wrap.

 

[daviedog]

Being a Chrome Dome, have no use for a hair dryer.
I use a blazer torch, which i also use for steel mesh.
Nimble fingers required & as stated above shrinks the wrap before the cells get hot..

 

[wheelie]

See if @Mooch can chime in

 

[Mooch]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Appreciated.

Thanks for the tips, Wheelie. I picked up a couple packs of those insulator rings as well, just to have them on hand.

Given that the heat range we're talking about is apparently fine for this application, it still prompted a related question that maybe you guys could chime in on. My gut was telling me that a warm battery caused from external heat isn't quite the same scenario as a warm battery caused from discharging, in terms of safety. Is this an accurate assumption? I just imagine that if two batteries were relatively the same warmth to the touch (I'm no Mooch...), but one got there from external heating and the other from usage, that the former would not be at as high of a temperature internally, i.e. potentially prone to less cycle life or worse.

There is always a temperature gradient present.
When a battery is used its internal temperature is always higher than its case temperature. When a battery is heated from an outside source the case is always hotter than the interior.

You can have only a very slight difference between the external/internal temperatures but if the battery is being heated or is cooling then there will be a difference.

 

[Eskie]

There is always a temperature gradient present.
When a battery is used its internal temperature is always higher than its case temperature. When a battery is heated from an outside source the case is always hotter than the interior.

You can have only a very slight difference between the external/internal temperatures but if the battery is being heated or is cooling then there will be a difference.

So, I'll go with best practice is don't just pop the freshly rewrapped battery right in and vape. Let it relax and take a nap before being forced to return to work.

Being a Chrome Dome, have no use for a hair dryer.
I use a blazer torch, which i also use for steel mesh.
Nimble fingers required & as stated above shrinks the wrap before the cells get hot..

Nimble fingers indeed.

 

[DarrellG]

Thanks a bunch for the input, guys. Now I can finish up my other wraps dread free.

I got a little anxious when I saw that Mooch had posted. Fanboy moment? Is that supposed to happen at 39?

Thanks.

 

[wheelie]

Thanks a bunch for the input, guys. Now I can finish up my other wraps dread free.

I got a little anxious when I saw that Mooch had posted. Fanboy moment? Is that supposed to happen at 39?

Thanks.

I tagged Mooch and he got alerted to the thread. You posted some good questions and I wanted it answered for my own curiosity. Put the @ in front of someones name and it goes to their alert box. CHEERS!

 

[DarrellG]

Thanks Wheelie.

 

[Canadian_Vaper]

Just grab a lighter, it will take like 1/2 a second to melt it down...

 

[wheelie]

Just grab a lighter, it will take like 1/2 a second to melt it down...

Wife is on oxygen. No open flame in my house. LOL CHEERS!

 

[Cheallaigh]

just ask sonic about what not to wear while doing it...

 

[Mooch]

Thanks a bunch for the input, guys. Now I can finish up my other wraps dread free.

I got a little anxious when I saw that Mooch had posted. Fanboy moment? Is that supposed to happen at 39?

Thanks.

I'm 56 and I still get those when talking to vape reviewers.

 

[Cheallaigh]

hey i met phil B at the ottawa CVE in nov... hubby doesn't watch reviews and i do, he didn't understand why i was excited... then again hubby hands me the tanks and says he needs me to rebuild the coils...

 

[zoiDman]

just ask sonic about what not to wear while doing it...

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie

One Ring to Rule them All, One Ring to find them
One Ring to bring them All and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie