Innokin Owners Group Thread

[Capt.shay]

Don't the internal batteries swell up after a certain period of laying dormant? If so, is it worth keeping things like that around?

While I have seen batteries swell, particularly old school D cells, I have never heard that lipo cells have a particular preponderancy to do so. Bad lipo cells can swell and vent but I have never heard it attributed simply to age. I could be wrong on this but the folks in my E-bike forum use (and abuse) a LOT of lipo cells and I have never heard a warning on them as far as depleted cells.

I have a stack of depleted gear that I have acquired over the last few years and I keep them in case I need a 510 connector or some other part. I should probably look in to this swelling matter as I don't need little bombs sitting around in my desk. Off for a Google-Foo.

 

[DPLongo22]

That's the first I've heard of a lithium battery swelling when not under stress. I'll look into that, but I would suspect something was wrong, somewhere, either with the mod or the battery itself. If the battery is sitting, with no current flow from load or charge, there should be virtually no chemical activity that would cause swelling, at least in what pass as my mind, but I could certainly be wrong.

Thanks, and don't go crazy. I figured I'd throw it out there, just in case you knew something. I appreciate the response, as it stands.

 

[DavidOck]

Don't the internal batteries swell up after a certain period of laying dormant? If so, is it worth keeping things like that around?

I've grown a bit uncomfortable with them too, partially based on a couple of experiences KD had, and am now down to a single CoolFire IV (that I like way too much to get rid of before its time). I'm pretty sure that will be the last of the internals for me though. Once I detect that it's beginning to go, I'll dispose of it.

Like you, I'm not buying just things with replaceable batteries.

Haven't seen any bulging on the case, and, like others have said, haven't heard of any problems other than from abuse.

Yeah, although they don't get much use these days, other than the occasional pif to someone who's trying to quit smoking, or when riding the lawnmower, don't plan on getting rid of any fixed battery devices that are functional. And don't plan on getting any more, either!

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

Did you just go all existential on us, or did you hit Post Reply before you meant to?

I think, therefore I clicked send before finishing.

Hmmm, now, I can't remember where I was going with that...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[awsum140]

OK. I did a little asking around and the verdict seems to be that lithium batteries, especially LiPO, do swell over time. This is due to an accumulation of additional oxygen generated by the chemical process that produces the power. The best indicator of battery condition is by determining the internal resistance of the battery. Some "hobby" chargers used in the RC world have that function built in. The other key takeaway of what I've found it to store them at 3.8 volts, lithium based batteries. Incidentally, if a LiPO battery is completely discharged, cell voltage to 0.0 volts, it is safe and non-toxic and can be disposed of in the regular trash stream.

 

[awsum140]

Going back to the original question, do lithium batteries swell during storage, the answer seems to be that they do, but you'd need to store them an awfully long time or under bad conditions for it to be any sort of problem. Bad conditions would be charged over 3.8 volts or in an environment that is too hot, above room temperature. Cool temperatures, refrigerated, might not be the best idea either.

 

[f1vefour]

Thanks, aswum. We were told that they'll also swell (significantly) if left unused to too long of a time. I have NO IDEA if that's accurate, which is why I posed the question. @Katdarling had it happen to one (fairly valuable) mod, but neither of us knows enough about batteries to know if that was truly the issue.

Do you know if that's true?

It's accurate, I have had two lipos swell enough to rip two different tablets apart after extended discharge.

 

[Katdarling]

You're awsum, and your info, equally awsum. Thank you so very much. I've never considered myself much above 1st grade in Battery School, so when info is presented like this (concise, and KLEAR), it is extremely helpful. Much appreciate it all, but particularly your comments on disposal. I did not know they were safe to go into the trash, and it's become a bit more difficult, sans Radio Shack, to find battery recycling places that are either close by, or open several days a week.

As for my case with the lipo packs.... They were not ever in any extreme temperature conditions, and they did not sit for months on end. I charged them fairly regularly, even when I wasn't using them. I thought perhaps that I didn't charge them frequently enuf, but I don't know. But I DO know that the packs swelled, and the device became unusable. I prolly would not have thought too much about the battery issue had it not also happened to a friend........ with the SAME DEVICE. So. We certainly COULD be talking about issues that were device specific.

My friend's mod (wooden case) actually burst its seams and the case broke apart. It was an awful and scary moment, and they ended up tossing it out in the snow (before something more devastating happened). That caused me some alarm, but it also did not surprise me when mine started to swell. The case did not burst apart on mine, and is now "safely" in the hands of another modder friend who thinks he may be able to get an 18*** in it. We shall see. If anyone is interested, I shall update ya.


A pic says a thousand somethings.

I think, therefore I clicked send before finishing.

Hmmm, now, I can't remember where I was going with that...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

You were just being.......

 

[awsum140]

Kat, charging them when not using them is a "no no". They "like" to sit around 3.8 or 3.7 volts when not being used for longer periods.

As far as the mods "exploding" like that there are too many variables involved to diagnose what actually happened. I will say I'm not a fan of the soft side LiPO battery. Way too easy to damage inadvertently, even in a mod. Another trick with LiPO batteries is to have enough room to allow for expansion inside the case.

I have two LiPO powered DNA200s in daily use with almost 100 charge cycles on one and about 50 on the other. The one with 100 cycles has a magnetic back cover on the case and I do keep an eye on it. There's lots of room for expansion in both and I really don't worry about expansion as a real hazard, at least until one pops a mod on me

 

[Katdarling]

Hmmm...... obviously I'm not using it anymore, but I was instructed to charge them whether using or not. Unfortunately, I wouldn't even know how to test those cells to know what voltage they were behaving/misbehaving at.

WHO KNEW!

I'm certainly not a fan of the soft lipos either (at this point).

I do hope this serves to just provide info for anyone using a device that has this type of batt. For me, it's just a memory now (unless Mr. Mod guy can fix it up!).

 

[herb]

Anybody receive their SVD 2.0 from "Electronic sticks" when they had them for sale at $14.99 .

I got mine today and they decided to open the sealed factory wrapping , throw away the box and just ship the mod with the case . They didn't even include the paperwork or lanyard .

When i buy new i expect it to be sealed , just very unprofessional imo.

 

[VapieDan]

Anybody receive their SVD 2.0 from "Electronic sticks" when they had them for sale at $14.99 .

I got mine today and they decided to open the sealed factory wrapping , throw away the box and just ship the mod with the case . They didn't even include the paperwork or lanyard .

When i buy new i expect it to be sealed , just very unprofessional imo.

Mine arrived in sealed box

 

[herb]

Mine arrived in sealed box

I don't know what happened then , thanks for your comment.

 

[DPLongo22]

Anybody receive their SVD 2.0 from "Electronic sticks" when they had them for sale at $14.99 .

I got mine today and they decided to open the sealed factory wrapping , throw away the box and just ship the mod with the case . They didn't even include the paperwork or lanyard .

When i buy new i expect it to be sealed , just very unprofessional imo.

I got two. Both were sealed and complete. Thing's are pretty nice.

But they're also downright FUNNY BIG!!!!!

 

[VapieDan]

I don't know what happened then , thanks for your comment.

I wonder if they hit the bottom of the a barrel on the closeout. Is the Mod OK?

 

[VapieDan]

I got two. Both were sealed and complete. Thing's are pretty nice.

But they're also downright FUNNY BIG!!!!!

But they feel so good in the hand

 

[herb]

I wonder if they hit the bottom of the a barrel on the closeout. Is the Mod OK?

Yeah, i think the deal said "out of stock" after i put one in my cart so i probably got the last of the last.

Mod seems just fine , i just wanted to know if this was a common thing with others who have ordered as well .


Paid $14.99 so a win win regardless.

 

[herb]

But they feel so good in the hand

I prefer the 18350 size but those batteries just don't last lol.

 

[herb]

OMG , i just tried the battery checker inside the case and it doesn't work , can't believe it .

 

[DPLongo22]

But they feel so good in the hand

True!!! Strangest thing, to be honest. It's HUGE, but VERY NICE.

That did NOT sound good. [emoji15]