I relate the following to you all, because any one of you could have experienced exactly the same scenario. My purpose, is to remind those who already know what precautions to take, and maybe even educate a few who are unaware.
So that there are no misunderstandings about what occurred, I preface this with the fact that although electronics has never been my vocation, I have worked with electrical systems, both AC and DC, for most of my 60 some odd years. My use and understanding of such systems has always been tangential to other hobbies, but Im not the sort to take up a hobby without delving quite a ways into it.
Ive lived long enough to know that ANY human designed/engineered system can, and *will*, fail. Battery chargers are no exception, no matter what price youve paid for them, or how highly recommended they come. Ive been using various chargers for my vaping devices since 2010, and this is a first for me.
To wit: I placed 2 of my 18650 AW IMRs into my middle grade charger, next to where I spend my time on my computer (middle grade means it was neither a cheapo charger bought for less than $10, nor a more expensive one like the Pila, it retails for around $20).
The charger, as usual, was placed on a flat wooden surface, and again as usual, I checked it to ensure that the lights appeared to be functioning as expected. Everything appeared to be "normal".
Then, roughly 10 minutes into the charge cycle, I heard a pop from the direction of the charger. Scanning the area visually, I noticed that the charging lights were no longer active or lit. So I immediately disconnected the charger, inspecting it first visually, then touching it to see if it was warm. The charger was not only warm to the touch, there was a distinct aroma Ive come to associate with burnt electrical insulation.
Removing the batteries (not warm to the touch), and allowing them a few minutes to settle, I tested them, and as expected, they had barely charged above what they were when I placed them into the charger (specifically 4.12 and 3.96 respectively). So after allowing them several minutes to further settle, I placed them into my Pila charger. The 4.12v one quickly reached its full charge state, while the 3.96v one took a while longer.
I then turned my attention to the original charger. Gingerly reinserting the plug into my outlet strip, there were no lights at all. I disconnected it, looked it over to see if there was any sort of reset on it, and finding none, I set it aside. I may, at some point, if the mood strikes me, disassemble it and see what went wrong, but for now, I have ample backup chargers so am in no hurry to tear it apart.
TLDR I never leave my batteries charging unattended, and keep them on a relatively non-flammable surface. Sure enough, that one in a million chance that the manufacturers disclaimers are directed at, happened. Had I not been monitoring the charger, I have no doubt the device would have heated to the point of producing flames. The flat wooden surface it was on would have been little protection, and if Id not been present, the end result could have been a disaster, and easily the worst Christmas imaginable. /TLDR
Most of us wouldnt even consider playing Russian Roulette, with odds of 6 in 1, its just not worth the risk. So what are the odds a battery charger will fail? I have no idea, but even 1 in 10 million is too high if youre the 1. PLEASE, watch those chargers and batteries, folks.
So that there are no misunderstandings about what occurred, I preface this with the fact that although electronics has never been my vocation, I have worked with electrical systems, both AC and DC, for most of my 60 some odd years. My use and understanding of such systems has always been tangential to other hobbies, but Im not the sort to take up a hobby without delving quite a ways into it.
Ive lived long enough to know that ANY human designed/engineered system can, and *will*, fail. Battery chargers are no exception, no matter what price youve paid for them, or how highly recommended they come. Ive been using various chargers for my vaping devices since 2010, and this is a first for me.
To wit: I placed 2 of my 18650 AW IMRs into my middle grade charger, next to where I spend my time on my computer (middle grade means it was neither a cheapo charger bought for less than $10, nor a more expensive one like the Pila, it retails for around $20).
The charger, as usual, was placed on a flat wooden surface, and again as usual, I checked it to ensure that the lights appeared to be functioning as expected. Everything appeared to be "normal".
Then, roughly 10 minutes into the charge cycle, I heard a pop from the direction of the charger. Scanning the area visually, I noticed that the charging lights were no longer active or lit. So I immediately disconnected the charger, inspecting it first visually, then touching it to see if it was warm. The charger was not only warm to the touch, there was a distinct aroma Ive come to associate with burnt electrical insulation.
Removing the batteries (not warm to the touch), and allowing them a few minutes to settle, I tested them, and as expected, they had barely charged above what they were when I placed them into the charger (specifically 4.12 and 3.96 respectively). So after allowing them several minutes to further settle, I placed them into my Pila charger. The 4.12v one quickly reached its full charge state, while the 3.96v one took a while longer.
I then turned my attention to the original charger. Gingerly reinserting the plug into my outlet strip, there were no lights at all. I disconnected it, looked it over to see if there was any sort of reset on it, and finding none, I set it aside. I may, at some point, if the mood strikes me, disassemble it and see what went wrong, but for now, I have ample backup chargers so am in no hurry to tear it apart.
TLDR I never leave my batteries charging unattended, and keep them on a relatively non-flammable surface. Sure enough, that one in a million chance that the manufacturers disclaimers are directed at, happened. Had I not been monitoring the charger, I have no doubt the device would have heated to the point of producing flames. The flat wooden surface it was on would have been little protection, and if Id not been present, the end result could have been a disaster, and easily the worst Christmas imaginable. /TLDR
Most of us wouldnt even consider playing Russian Roulette, with odds of 6 in 1, its just not worth the risk. So what are the odds a battery charger will fail? I have no idea, but even 1 in 10 million is too high if youre the 1. PLEASE, watch those chargers and batteries, folks.
