E Cig Fire Scary Lesson Learned

[Doberz]

I leave mine plugged it all the time. But on a low voltage usb port. Yeah it takes forever to charge, but that's what I have 3 other batteries for. My batts don't even get warm during charging. I do, however, have an ego batt that's battery sticks here and there. I've been waiting for the day it gets completely stuck and I have to toss it across the room like a grenade and take cover.

 

[otrpu]

I've had alot of batteries swell up and become distorted. Not had any explode yet. Drove OTR for 3.5 years, living off of DC power. With all my experience it's still easy to take the easy way out. I purchased a Pila IBC 4 stage charger for the majority of my PV battery charging. My habit has been to leave one in it while using the other. Threads like this make me think. . .think I'll change my bad habits for better ones. Ordering another of each length batt I use. With three it's easier to always have one ready to use. . .and only charge while around to react in case of an accident. Never heard or read of a Pila charger having a problem, but rather be safe than sorry. For a $10 additional investment it just isn't worth testing fate. Thanks for changing my mind. JMHO

http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/04/battery-charger-fire-starter-dont-let-them-charge-unattended

Everybody be safe out there,
Cheers,
otrpu

 

[wdave]

I purchased 2 kr808d1's from a supplier and a couple of days later I ordered a starter kr808d1 kit from them as well. I was charging one of the batteries I received first in the charger that came with the kit.
The e-cig exploded and it was so hot the wires and filament part flew across the kitchen counter and soldered itself to a metal bowl on the counter. It caught fire briefly and went out but not before doing black as coal smoke damage to one of the walls in the kitchen.It only took 5 seconds for all this to happen.
My husband is a retired Fire Chief so we never leave a charger of any kind plugged in while we are out.
I am so glad we were right there to take care of it.We were very lucky. So this is a heads up to everyone. Never leave your charger plugged in when away from home.If we had been out we would have returned to a disaster. Honestly I won't be leaving them plugged into a room I'm not in. If you could have seen what happened in such a short amount of time it was unreal.

That is terrible but not surpising...no guarantees with this suggestion I have. You might try a four-port USB Kensington charger from amazon.com. I love mine. Handled eGo-T with ease. Especially great when you have different kinds of ecigs.

At least I have one piece of ecig hardware that isn't total crap.

Dave

 

[Cil]

At least I have one piece of ecig hardware that isn't total crap.

Don't you mean 'build in obsolescence' lol

 

[AttyPops]

I found an old metal electrical box that is the perfect size and has a flip open lid that shuts pretty tightly. It's about the size of the image below. Gonna use aluminum tape to seal any extra holes. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!

The aluminum tape is scary unless you leave some holes uncovered......... Just making sure that you (or whomever reads this) aren't plugging all holes and building a "go-boom" device. It must vent the gases. The tape would probably give way, but...... VENTS!!!

 

[GIMike]

Just making sure that you (or whomever reads this) aren't plugging all holes and building a "go-boom" device. It must vent the gases.

reminds me of my army days. mre heaters, 20 oz bottle, some water.....good times....

 

[AttyPops]

The mre's sound scarier.... They last longer than Twinkies. lol.

 

[Eli Huffman]

Wow. Very intense. Glad no one was hurt!!

 

[Sandrita]

Wow very scary. Glad you are OK though and nothing happened. It is known for poor quality lithium ion batteries to explode if left to charge for to long. Although typically lithium ion batteries like to be charged and can be left charging for hours or days with no problem. Look at mobile phones and laptops for example. Did the kit you buy come with relative safety marks. Here in Europe many products must have CE mark and it its electronic a ROHS mark (restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances). If these marks are not visible it is highly recommended not to buy them.

 

[michaelcly]

What keeps our batteries from overcharging anyway? is it in the battery circuitry or the charger? I have noticed inconsistencies with my chargers.

 

[DC2]

I just sent an email to LipoSack to find out if they felt it would work for a 3000 mah 18650 Lithium-Ion battery.

After exchanging some emails with these folks, it appears that this product will have no trouble handling an 18650 3.7v battery.

 

[StormFinch]

After exchanging some emails with these folks, it appears that this product will have no trouble handling an 18650 3.7v battery.

Excellent, DC2. Thanks!

 

[DC2]

Excellent, DC2. Thanks!

Yeah, I'm thinking I might pick one up myself.


It seems like it might be overkill, and I've never had an issue.
It's been about 20 months using 18650s with no problems, but you never know.

The risks are greater than I thought before reading this thread.
And the Liposack seems to be a cost-worthy safeguard.

I just wish it had some kind of window to check the charger lights.

 

[StormFinch]

Yeah, I'm thinking I might pick one up myself.


It seems like it might be overkill, and I've never had an issue.
It's been about 20 months using 18650s with no problems, but you never know.

The risks are greater than I thought before reading this thread.
And the Liposack seems to be a cost-worthy safeguard.

I just wish it had some kind of window to check the charger lights.

I guess you could at least turn the charger backwards with the power cord curved to it's side. Then it would be easy enough to peek. I just noticed Amazon has some good deals on the small size, which I think would be plenty big enough for a multi-charger like the TR001, correct? (8.4x7.9x0.6 @ $12.78)

 

[gel drops]

Trust Fire Charger from madvapes is a nice one"so far"

 

[GIMike]

Just charge batts in the fireplace? Just have to keep the flue open?