Another dented battery, PLEASE HELP.

[PentiumIIIBaby]

Hello,
I am absolutely freaking out right now, a few weeks ago I posted on here, about a dented flatside of an 18650 LG battery, the dent was really deep and visible. Since I got a million responses telling me, it will blow in my face, I decided to replace it ASAP and got some Sony 18650 batteries instead.
I inspected them everyday to make sure they're fine and today I noticed a tiny little dent on the flatside of one of them, it's a substantially smaller dent and nearly invisible however since I am really easily worried and the responses I got on my last thread were really worrying I don't know what to do, I am starting to think it may be the Mod's fault, and it's a smok ProColor, meaning there is no way to regulate how tight it squeezes the batteries. I need to ask, does this look safe? What should I do? Please help, I am really freaking out right now, I can't afford to buy new batteries every week, I know that health should matter the most, but nothing can look brand new and perfect forever.

 

[Beamslider]

Hard to tell from the picture but is it really "dented"....Looks more like scratched surface in the photos. Can't really say but doesn't look like much to worry about.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

Hard to tell from the picture but is it really "dented"....Looks more like scratched surface in the photos. Can't really say but doesn't look like much to worry about.

It is dented just a little bit in the center, it's almost invisible, but when you run your finger across it, you can feel it, especially compared to the other one, the other one is equally scratched so it's not the scratches.
EDIT: I am guessing it's the bit that pokes into it (probably not the right term but..) that caused it.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

Hard to tell from the picture but is it really "dented"....Looks more like scratched surface in the photos. Can't really say but doesn't look like much to worry about.

Also, is it abnormal to get small dents like this? I know it's bad if they're large or deep, but..

 

[Beamslider]

You are probably right that the battery is tight in the mod and getting cut into. But unless it gets worse than what it looks like there, probably ok. I remember the other one you posted and it was seriously damaged.

Some batteries are a little bit longer than others. Some mods are really tight on them. Some have additional adjustment, don't know your mod though

 

[Beamslider]

It could also be the charger you are using. Some external chargers have really tight springs. That you can help by easing the spring into place with your fingers if that is the cause of it.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

You are probably right that the battery is tight in the mod and getting cut into. But unless it gets worse than what it looks like there, probably ok. I remember the other one you posted and it was seriously damaged.

Some batteries are a little bit longer than others. Some mods are really tight on them. Some have additional adjustment, don't know your mod though

I was thinking that too, I will keep using it and just keep an eye on it and replace it if gets worse. That's the thing, my mod can't be adjusted as to how tight it holds them, while talking about chargers, while I usually use my charger, I often charge them a few percent (20-30) during the day using USB, could that somehow cause this?

 

[Beamslider]

No charging them in the mod would not likely cause any denting on them. Charging in the mod is ok for occasional charging. The usb port on the mod can get damaged fast from plugging it in and out though if done often. The usb port is pretty fragile on most of them

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

No charging them in the mod would not likely cause any denting on them. Charging in the mod is ok for occasional charging. The usb port on the mod can get damaged fast from plugging it in and out though if done often. The usb port is pretty fragile on most of them

Thank you very much for the information and the help, appreciate it.

 

[score69]

I was thinking that too, I will keep using it and just keep an eye on it and replace it if gets worse. That's the thing, my mod can't be adjusted as to how tight it holds them, while talking about chargers, while I usually use my charger, I often charge them a few percent (20-30) during the day using USB, could that somehow cause this?

I'm thinking it IS the SMOK Procolor causing the issue.

I have two sets of batteries, a pair of VTC4's and a pair of 25r and BOTH sets of batteries have similar indentations on them. These batteries have never been in another mod.

Not sure, but I think it's the contacts on the battery door side causing the problem. The contacts on the door appear a good bit smaller than the ones inside the mod and seem to match the 'bumps' on the batteries.

I'm no expert, but I'm personally not concerned about this with mine. I inspect my wraps each time the batteries go in/out of the charger. In all honesty, I wouldn't even have noticed this if I hadn't seen your post. Can't see how it would be bad enough to cause an issue.

Looks like the smaller contacts on the battery door are doing this though. Also, the slight scratches on them are normal wear/tear, especially with a bottom door like this where you press/slide it.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

I'm thinking it IS the SMOK Procolor causing the issue.

I have two sets of batteries, a pair of VTC4's and a pair of 25r and BOTH sets of batteries have similar indentations on them. These batteries have never been in another mod.

Not sure, but I think it's the contacts on the battery door side causing the problem. The contacts on the door appear a good bit smaller than the ones inside the mod and seem to match the 'bumps' on the batteries.

I'm no expert, but I'm personally not concerned about this with mine. I inspect my wraps each time the batteries go in/out of the charger. In all honesty, I wouldn't even have noticed this if I hadn't seen your post. Can't see how it would be bad enough to cause an issue.

Looks like the smaller contacts on the battery door are doing this though.

Yep, and I feel that mod locks pretty tight, I need to press the battery door very hard on the batteries in order to close it.
I don't think it's that much of an issue either, however on my last pair of batteries I got a much bigger dent from dropping the mod I think, and a lot of the replies were talking about venting and the mod catching fire, which scared me. So even the smallest of imperfections on my batteries is giving me a headache now, however, I do hope this one will stay small.

 

[score69]

Yep, and I feel that mod locks pretty tight, I need to press the battery door very hard on the batteries in order to close it.
I don't think it's that much of an issue either, however on my last pair of batteries I got a much bigger dent from dropping the mod I think, and a lot of the replies were talking about venting and the mod catching fire, which scared me. So even the smallest of imperfections on my batteries is giving me a headache now, however, I do hope this one will stay small.

Yeah, I saw your last thread, and I definitely would have retired those batteries, lol.

This doesn't seem like a concern to me. I would just keep an eye on them just like you check your wraps for damage. I'm guessing it won't get any worse once the initial pressure has done its thing.

Same with the scratches from sliding the door open/closed. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it's not getting worse over time.

No biggie me thinks. The sliding doors like this are under pressure as you said to slide open/closed. Not sure if the contacts inside are spring loaded or not, but if they are, would have been nice if they had a little more travel.

 

[93gc40]

Dent like that on the negative end isn't really a problem...even normal to a point. the problems come when the other end or sides are dented.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[stols001]

If you think it's the mod, perhaps some lubricant where the batteries fit (especially the lower end, where you are seeing denting/scratching) might help? I believe @RainSong had this issue, and stated that some 18650 batteries are almost infinitesimally smaller/less wide than others, but I can't remember which battery she found that helped out with that problem.

It's impossible to say if it's the charger or the mod, given that it's your only mod. Your prior "dent" had to be damage from dropping, for sure. With that said though, some spring loaded chargers really have a lot of pressure, my nitcore intellecharger's sleds were way too tight in the beginning. I stretched them and lubricated the sleds as well and it's helped my batteries and wraps immensely. Initially, I was getting a lot of "chewing or scratching" of the wraps and ends.

Hopefully, you can find a solution but if your battery doesn't worsen, I'd say its probably safe to use. I stretch my springs on my charger as FAR down as I can, gently insert the battery, and "assist" the springs in making contact.

Hope you can get this issue resolved and I understand your hesitance regarding this matter. I will say I have a couple mods where I have to apply pressure as I'm sliding the (magnetized) battery holder end into the mod, but I've never seen dents, even when I have to apply some pressure.

Also, I don't know your mod, but if they are "pop out" batteries if there isn't a battery ribbon to assist you, installing one is pretty easy.

Best of luck,

Anna

 

[Baditude]

I am starting to think it may be the Mod's fault, and it's a Smok ProColor...

Does anyone else find it amusing that another SMOK mod has developed an issue, and a potentially dangerous one at that? Quality control issues seem to abound with SMOK products. Can't they manufacture a mod that can accomodate a common 18650 battery safely?

Let me go crawl under my rock before I get censored.

 

[score69]

Does anyone else find it amusing that another SMOK mod has developed an issue, and a potentially dangerous one at that? Quality control issues seem to abound with SMOK products. Can't they manufacture a mod that can accomodate a common 18650 battery safely?

Let me go crawl under my rock before I get censored.

I do agree it's the mod's fault. I have the same one, two sets of different batteries (vtc4 and 25r) that have only been used in this mod and see the same thing.

However, I'm not sure if it's a serious issue. I just plan on keeping an eye on them to see if they get worse.

I do believe the two contacts inside the mod are spring loaded. I just think the springs are much more stiff than they need to be perhaps.

That said, probably my first/last SMOK mod. I don't have any complaints about the mod itself. It's nothing spectacular, no issues to note other than this. However, considering how many other good mods are out there right now, I just think one can do much better for them money. I love my Drags, Cylons, etc. I would buy them again in a heartbeat if I had to replace one. The Procolor is fine, but I honestly would buy something else to replace it.

If this continues to damage the batteries worse over time, then I agree it's an issue and I'll be retiring mine and the batteries. Just keep an eye on it for now.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

If you think it's the mod, perhaps some lubricant where the batteries fit (especially the lower end, where you are seeing denting/scratching) might help? I believe @RainSong had this issue, and stated that some 18650 batteries are almost infinitesimally smaller/less wide than others, but I can't remember which battery she found that helped out with that problem.

It's impossible to say if it's the charger or the mod, given that it's your only mod. Your prior "dent" had to be damage from dropping, for sure. With that said though, some spring loaded chargers really have a lot of pressure, my nitcore intellecharger's sleds were way too tight in the beginning. I stretched them and lubricated the sleds as well and it's helped my batteries and wraps immensely. Initially, I was getting a lot of "chewing or scratching" of the wraps and ends.

Hopefully, you can find a solution but if your battery doesn't worsen, I'd say its probably safe to use. I stretch my springs on my charger as FAR down as I can, gently insert the battery, and "assist" the springs in making contact.

Hope you can get this issue resolved and I understand your hesitance regarding this matter. I will say I have a couple mods where I have to apply pressure as I'm sliding the (magnetized) battery holder end into the mod, but I've never seen dents, even when I have to apply some pressure.

Also, I don't know your mod, but if they are "pop out" batteries if there isn't a battery ribbon to assist you, installing one is pretty easy.

Best of luck,

Anna

Thanks for the response, I also have a Nitecore Intellicharger (not sure which model), but I am always really careful with it, so I doubt it's the charger causing the issue.
The last 2 batteries were probably dented by a drop for sure, I dropped the mod during the day, and when I took out the batteries to charge them in the evening I saw the dents. I hope the issue doesn't get worse, thanks again for the helpful response.

 

[PentiumIIIBaby]

I do agree it's the mod's fault. I have the same one, two sets of different batteries (vtc4 and 25r) that have only been used in this mod and see the same thing.

However, I'm not sure if it's a serious issue. I just plan on keeping an eye on them to see if they get worse.

I do believe the two contacts inside the mod are spring loaded. I just think the springs are much more stiff than they need to be perhaps.

That said, probably my first/last SMOK mod. I don't have any complaints about the mod itself. It's nothing spectacular, no issues to note other than this. However, considering how many other good mods are out there right now, I just think one can do much better for them money. I love my Drags, Cylons, etc. I would buy them again in a heartbeat if I had to replace one. The Procolor is fine, but I honestly would buy something else to replace it.

If this continues to damage the batteries worse over time, then I agree it's an issue and I'll be retiring mine and the batteries. Just keep an eye on it for now.

Tbh, I am really happy with this mod, especially with the software, build quality, looks and the included tank is awesome, I really hope it doesn't cause the batteries more serious issues, cause it'd be a shame to retire it.

 

[BackDoc]

Does anyone else find it amusing that another SMOK mod has developed an issue, and a potentially dangerous one at that? Quality control issues seem to abound with SMOK products. Can't they manufacture a mod that can accomodate a common 18650 battery safely?

Let me go crawl under my rock before I get censored.

its been my policy for years to stay away from batteries with the word "fire" and Mods with the word "Smok"

 

[Mooch]

Dent like that on the negative end isn't really a problem...even normal to a point. the problems come when the other end or sides are dented.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Dents anywhere are an issue. The bottom of the cell has the exposed ends of the spiral roll of materials nearby. If you dent it enough you can push the spot-welded metal strip (connected to the negative material of the spiral) back onto the spiral roll and short-circuit the battery. A bad enough dent can directly fold over the exposed ends of the spiral roll, also short-circuiting the battery internally.

While not all dents will cause a problem, no damage is deemed acceptable by the manufacturer.