Charger Meltdown

[dvs_taz]

Last night I was doing my battery rotation, popped a battery into the charger and the next thing I know there were sparks and the springs on the charger collapsed. Stupid charger wasn't even plugged in. Probably a good thing. So the charger went into the trash. Problem is I only have one more charged battery. Guess I'm going to be using a back up 510.

I ordered a Pila this morning and some more batteries from Oveready. Hope they're as speedy as everyone claims. Think I better go learn how to use a multimeter as well.

I'm done whining now.

 

[AmnNate]

That's terrible. Glad you didn't get hurt.

 

[mlinky]

Aaaaaaaack!! OMG, that could have been a disaster! What kind of batteries were they? Had they been overdischarged or damaged?

 

[mkp]

Last night I was doing my battery rotation, popped a battery into the charger and the next thing I know there were sparks and the springs on the charger collapsed. Stupid charger wasn't even plugged in. Probably a good thing. So the charger went into the trash. Problem is I only have one more charged battery. Guess I'm going to be using a back up 510.

I ordered a Pila this morning and some more batteries from Oveready. Hope they're as speedy as everyone claims. Think I better go learn how to use a multimeter as well.

I'm done whining now.

Good grief. Better in the charger than in your pv and right next to your face but, sheesh, that's way too scary.

Glad you're OK and nothing worse than the charger took the hit.

 

[dvs_taz]

It was a set I got off of Amazon before I found ECF, but was told it would be ok. Comprised of 2 ultrafire 14500 900 mah 3.6 batteries and wall charger.

It may of just been a faulty charger but I threw the whole works in the trash. I'll stick with my remaining AW IMRs. I also ordered some 18650s, hoping to get lucky Saturday and add a Woodvil to keep the mini company.

 

[mlinky]

There have been a bunch of counterfeit ultra/trust fires. Also, in the 14500 size, a LR atty overstresses any battery except the AW IMR 14500.

 

[dvs_taz]

There have been a bunch of counterfeit ultra/trust fires. Also, in the 14500 size, a LR atty overstresses any battery except the AW IMR 14500.

Learned my lesson!! I'll be sticking in the AW IMR camp for awhile.

 

[lostknitter]

I am so glad you are OK, and that the damage was limited to the battery and charger. I have heard some stories about items purchased on Ebay, so if it is something that could potentially be dangerous, I don't buy from Ebay. Best of luck to you in your purchase of a Woodvil Saturday!

 

[BardicDruid]

The counterfeit batteries just aren't on Ebay, one of the suppliers on here found what he thought was a good deal on Ultrafire's turned out to be counterfeits. As soon as the AW's started showing up I switched to them and haven't used any other, the Ultrafire WF 139 & WF 188 are still real good chargers.

 

[Mudflap]

If you're going to be using a single Pila charger for both 14500's and 18650's, these are mighty nifty:

Order thread is here.

The Pila comes with spacers that you have to screw in when you want to charge 14500's, and that gets to be a pain when you need to charge 18650's too.

Just FYI.

 

[Beans]

OMG that's terrible! I'm so happy your ok. Just the thought of a house fire leaves me trembling.

 

[Bogey]

This was in my you tube subscriptions this week:

VapeTalk - Fake Batteries Warning - YouTube

 

[Big Hitter]

This was in my you tube subscriptions this week:

VapeTalk - Fake Batteries Warning - YouTube

Watched that, not a fan of that guy but to each their own.

He pretty much got what he paid for though. 9 bucks for three batteries shipped ??? C'mon
Still doesn't make it right though.

My theory on counterfeit batts is stick with the AW IMR .... they are the shortest and therefore the hardest to fake.
You can make a batt longer to match by soldering whatever to it ..... You can't make a batt shorter very easily though.
not saying it can't be done, but it seems like too much work to me.

I've only owned 2 ****Fire batts way back in 2009 before I knew any better.

 

[Big Hitter]

If you're going to be using a single Pila charger for both 14500's and 18650's, these are mighty nifty:

Order thread is here.

The Pila comes with spacers that you have to screw in when you want to charge 14500's, and that gets to be a pain when you need to charge 18650's too.

Just FYI.

Some of the best money I ever spent .... I use two of those every day.
Eeeezy Peeeeeezy !!

The screw in ones are a pain in the azz if you charge multiple sizes .... In and out over and over is time consuming.
Other spacers that drop in only have to wiggle a rat hair and you loose connection.
Pop those in and your all set ... No worries.