Battery damage after dropping mod

[Ryedan]

I dropped my K100 the other day right onto it's bottom end from about 3 feet and after having a good look at it I breathed a sigh of relief that not only nothing fell off, but it was still working . I used it until the battery ran down and replaced it. The next time I put that battery in after charging it I found the bottom (negative end) of the battery casing was dented.

It was pushed in about 0.33 mm, or just under 1/64". Not much of a dent, but too much for me to risk using the battery again. I never even thought to check the battery after it happened because I didn't expect it to be damaged. I won't make that mistake again and wanted to pass this experience on.

Here's what my battery looked like after the fact. It's not obvious unless you're looking for it:

 

[Sthur]

Thanks for what to look out for. I am looking at my batteries now.

 

[440BB]

It might be fine to use in a regulated mod with protection circuitry to give you peace of mind. I've created that type of indentation tightening a side button mechanical before, and those batteries are still in service.

 

[Ryedan]

It might be fine to use in a regulated mod with protection circuitry to give you peace of mind. I've created that type of indentation tightening a side button mechanical before, and those batteries are still in service.

I agree it might be, but I'm not willing to take the chance of an internal short. That's the worst hard short you can have happen. Not worth the risk for me.

 

[supertrunker]

Can you not measure your battery in some way - to see if it has been damaged? If i threw out every battery i ever dropped i'd be pedalling hard to get enough to run my gear - damn dynamo!

Maybe the internal resistance changed or something?

Why is that internal short worse than any other?

I'm asking because i have a few older batteries now and i need a way of differentiating them from the known good newer ones; obviously physical damage is one way, but that looks minor to me.

T

 

[Ryedan]

Can you not measure your battery in some way - to see if it has been damaged? If i threw out every battery i ever dropped i'd be pedalling hard to get enough to run my gear - damn dynamo!

Maybe the internal resistance changed or something?

Why is that internal short worse than any other?

I'm asking because i have a few older batteries now and i need a way of differentiating them from the known good newer ones; obviously physical damage is one way, but that looks minor to me.

T

I do a monthly voltage drop check on my batteries. This one has not noticeably changed after the damage. I will still not use it though.

AFAIK, an internal short will cause the fastest increase in temperature and become hotter than an external short.

I'm certainly not suggesting that a dropped battery should be recycled. IMO 0.33 mm of indent is significant enough for me to not take the chance. In any risk analysis, it's all about the possibility of something going wrong and the amount of damage it could cause if it does happen.

There may well be a low risk of something happening, but I see a possibly very bad outcome if it does happen. I also don't have to be here when it happens, so it could affect other people.

Batteries are cheap

 

[Traver]

Not having anyway to tell if it a cell was damaged I would retire the battery for vaping. As you said an internal short is the worst kind and it can go off anytime anywhere. That is just my own preference.

 

[Heavyrocker]

My 2 cents?...its ok,ive tighten mine so much it looks like its concave as well.