Chalk it up to experience?

[pAth77]

I cleaned my P16 today and I think I just about shorted out 2 batteries. After cleaning, I put it back together and popped in a fresh carto. When I tried to activate it, the button got stuck. The main tube started getting warm so I quickly disassembled the P16. I wiped it down and reassembled it numerous times, but it kept happening (even after putting in a different battery). Both batteries I tried were pretty warm, but they eventually cooled off. I kept checking the button, bottom cap, and spring to see if I could see what was going on, but they were sliding smoothly. I finally took the carto off and noticed that the center post was pushed in a lot more than usual. I don't think that I over-tightened it, but it's late and I very well could have. I grabbed the last of my 16340 IMRs and a different carto, and she's working properly again. Lesson learned.....thankfully without any incidents.

My question now is: Can I still use the two batteries or do I just toss them and chalk it up to experience?

 

[liquido]

Know your enemy

Before dispose the batteries check if they deformed or have some external damage

If not damaged, check with a digital tester if they work. IMR are chemically safe, a little warming should not be enough to damage the battery.
Logically if unsure, the best choice is to dispose them

 

[forcedfuel50]

Don't feel bad, i think we've all overtightened an Atty at one time or another. Some atomizer brands are worse then others for having really soft center post insulators that allow the atomizer center post to press up in and short out on itself.

Usually it won't hurt the batteries if you caught it right away.

 

[pAth77]

The batteries don't look like they have deformed in any way. I compared them to an IMR that wasn't involved and they look identical...and nothing like the picture (thankfully). I tested them out and they seem to be working fine.

Don't feel bad, i think we've all overtightened an Atty at one time or another. Some atomizer brands are worse then others for having really soft center post insulators that allow the atomizer center post to press up in and short out on itself.

Usually it won't hurt the batteries if you caught it right away.

I actually just got these cartos, and it's my first time ever using them. People on the forums have been raving about them so I figured I would give them a try. Of the 10 I received, 2 won't work at all on my Precises (but they do work on my other mod), and this one nearly caused a short. Needless to say, I think that I'll be sticking with Boges from here on out.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[bakert]

I believe protected batteries have circuitry to prevent excessive current draw, so if you can't see any defects and they're still taking a charge you're probably okay..

 

[VaporMadness]

I believe protected batteries have circuitry to prevent excessive current draw, so if you can't see any defects and they're still taking a charge you're probably okay..

The IMRs have no protection circuitry since the chemistry doesn't lead to fiery failure modes. Pretty amazing that you can put a short circuit across them (for a moment at least) and they keep ticking.

 

[bakert]

Thanks for the clarification.. just when I think I'm beginning to understand the big picture there's another detail I didn't know

 

[vapn]

I had an incident last week with a Protected battery. The plastic coating that covers the thin metal strip that runs from the positive end to the PCB on the negative was worn, I guess from constant use and my battery went dead in a matter of a few minutes. Luckily the protection circuit did its job and shut the battery down. I read voltage with my multimeter and it was 0.00.... put it in the charger and got a red light and it charged back up no problem. A little black electrical tape over that spot has fixed her up good as new. Love them AW protected 18650s. With the LR atty I can get two days from one. And that is about 10 ml of juice.