If the batteries blew up in the SB?

[kc0cmp]

I'm thinking about adding a center hole on the bottom now. I'm not sure how big I want to make that hole tho.

I don't know if the battery orientation is reversable in a SB, but for a 18650, a hole approximately 1/4 inch at the opposite end of the atty (bottom) with the positive end of the battery in close proximity would be plenty. Also might be a good idea to heat shrink the battery before doing this, as that shrink that's on batteries was never meant as a wear guard or insulator..its just so they have something to put the logo on with..that size heatshrink (3/4") is available all over ebay for cheap...

so to review...a single 1/4"hole approximately (3/16 would be adequate, less probably not) at the bottom with the battery in reverse (to put the vent close as possible to the battery's vent..which is the positive end) and some ruggedized battery wrapping cause what comes on batteries is crap..and you're set. A hole that size could never let the pressure climb in such a way that there would be an explosive event....but you have to consider that if anything flies off the battery and blocks or partially obstructs the hole, then you might be back to square one...which is why i always use several smaller holes in my mods..cheap insurance as long as two of the three or however many holes add up to adequate venting.

If there's a spring on the bottom end, so much the better, because that spring will almost certainly not be fully compressed, and if the battery is properly heat shrunk and oriented backwards there should be a nice "screening effect" with the spring running interferance for flying bits if any..allowing wide open access to the vent.

if the the battery is in positive first (toward atty) and it erupts, its going to propel itself in the direction of the base..effectively blocking the vent (should you drill one) and also since the battery may swell (blocking gas exit beside the battery) the "pipe bomb effect" is more likely even with a vent as there's too many ways to seal it up.

Containment is the first requirement of a good bomb, followed by burning speed and gas volume...the the battery offers a high speed achievement of gas volume...giving it containment is asking for a bang lol. The key is to never let it gain containment

There's also a good argument for putting the holes radially around the base instead of on the base..as a single hole will create a rocket..whereas several around the bottom makes a rocket with small jets that go nowhere...I imagine with enough pressure, it could rocket into your teeth or mouth causing bad things to happen...smaller radial holes wil put it in "stationkeeping" when it vented..unless several on one side were plugged..but it wouldnt rocket *toward* you..which is also bad.

I'd vote for radial holes 1/8" and about 5-7 of them rounded with a counter sink they'd accent the device i'd think..but then I'd vote for reverse orientation of the battery and a little better heat shrink if youre going to count on it as an insulator (reverse oriented batteries have ground (battery case) seperated from positive (device case) by only the thickness of that impossibly thin heat shrink thats not rated or designed to be an insulator and is frightlfully easy to damage...some batteries dont even have full coverage of it.

My $.02

 

[kc0cmp]

GUYS GUYS GUYS DO NOT DRILL YOUR SB!

I have posted this before, take a look under your switch. Well here I will show you. Seems I am unable to upload any photos. Will edit when I can

If he's going to say that the switch is the weak link and will fail long before the aluminum separates, I'd say thats great!...although it'd have to be weaker than a pressed in atty..which is pretty weak.

If there is some mass physically obstructing the gas path from the battery to the atty connector (something solid with a small hole for the wire to go through) then it's covered, so long as the switch is rigged to fail in the event of battery failure.

Explosive devices always fail at the weak links..thats why the old pineapple grenade had those lines and looked like a "pineapple"..of course it didnt fail so well that you got all those little square chunks..usually 3-5 chunks..but it always failed on those lines lol.

The body of the SB has 3 weak links:

the threads (not something I'd say *screams of weakness* in my opinion they look quite stalwart.

The switch (an assumption baised on the designers above comment..and even so, switches are pressed together...obviously weaker than the threads)

The atty connector, which is pressed in and if crooked, is easily straightened (weak)

 

[YoMike]

You'd be nuts to use a 2 cell device without vents.
Read this from the flashlight guys..

ROAR of the Pelican (CR123 Explosion during use, firsthand account) - CandlePowerForums

 

[Martin2277]

You know I have been reading this thread and have kept my opinion to myself. But I just need to say a couple of things.

1st - Everyone needs to stop comparing the SB to a flashlight. Flashlights are sealed and most are weather proof devices. You could take some of those devices underwater and they would still work. I would not want to try and use my SB underwater. I just don't think I would get much Vape. I might get a great TH from the water but I am still not going to try this.

2nd - The SB is made to use the UltraFire 3.7V 18650 PROTECTED Batteries, and you can with the 2nd version or the 1st version with the new Bottom piece use the RCR123A PROTECTED Batteries. Every time some one brings up a battery exploding it was using a unprotected battery. Yes it is a circuit board and could fail but what happens when the board fails? Does the battery even still work? Does anyone know? I don't I just keep reading how someones UNPROTECTED battery that was probably overcharged has exploded in there MOD that was not a SB!

3rd - If you want to drill a hole into your SB go ahead. But don't go running to Rob and Chad after you modified there design saying your switch has seized or something is wrong. I am sure they will look at any modification that was made as Voiding your warranty.The Sb has built in safety features and does not need to be modified.

The problem with everyone's theory about protecting yourself from the exploding battery is that unless you are planing on going back to analogs there is not another option that does not use Lithium Ion Batteries. Even my 510 has a LithIon Battery. Take a look around and you will find many items that you use every day that have the "dangerous" Lithium Ion Battery. Your Cell phone and wireless phone in you house uses them. If you have a laptop check the battery. How many years old is that battery. Mine is over 5 with no problem.

If you have decided to stop using the SB because you are afraid of the batteries you are using then PM me. I will send you a PV that I am no longer using in exchange for you SB. Or if you would like I will even go and by you a pack of analogs for your SB.

Just read the posts and get your self some protected batteries. There are even some 3.0v batteries that come with a guarantee that they will not catch on fire or explode. Get those. Just stop badgering a supplier that has actually taken step and shown what would happen if your battery that they did NOT make failed. As you can tell I love my SB and I think it is crazy to keep talking about what if when this is not the mod that had a problem. Well that is my $.02 or it might be $1.50 by now..... Make your own decision. I am serious, send me your SB. I will use them.

The views and opinions of this user has not been reviewed or approved by the makers of the Silver Bullet. This user is not associated in any way to Altsmoke or there affiliates. These are my views and my rant... Take it for what it was....

 

[eclypse]

Protected batteries can explode as well.. Though, no point talking about it as theres a vent at the bottom of the switch for the SB.