Just had a MadVapes Flashlight total meltdown

[KarrMcDebt]

I'm still not sure what happened.

I recieved my madvapes package, and a keychain flashlight.

Well, since I had a brand new 510 connector handy just begging to be used I disassembled the flashlight and redesigned it for PV use.

I got everything all hooked up and secured in place, put the 10440 battery in, screwed the cap on it and watched it start melting down.

The shrinkwrap coating on the battery split and the whole flashlight started heating up. I immediately removed the battery, but it remained to hot to touch for several minutes. Afterwards it read direct continuity on the meter. After a while, (1/2 hour) I put it on the volt meter and watched it start from 0V and slowly climb up and up. As it approached the 3V mark it started to sizzle and drip liquid from the tip.

Well I'm done playing with this battery!
Figured out that what happened is that the rubber insulation on the battery connector got cut when I was trying to reassemble it, so it had a dirrect short.

Total melt down.

Final body count:
1 10440 protected battery
1 brand new madvapes keychain flashlight
1 hr work
My pride LOL.

Guess that will teach me.

KarrMcDebt

 

[ejoker]

that's a bummer indeed. hard way, but that's how i learn as well.

 

[MsSki]

R . I . P

On to your next victim.....We have to learn some how
Tara

 

[SuZamme]

How many forum moders does it take to create a total meltdown of an innocent little madvapes Flashlight?

There can be only one...it's you.

My little MadVapes Flashlight is now hiding in a secret place.

 

[CJsKee]

Awww...ss Karr. Just glad you weren't hurt in the process!

 

[5cardstud]

Oh thats to bad. You'll probably get another one on next order.

 

[four2109]

Kinda scary huh? I had a 14250 cook on me today. Luckily I hit it before I closed the box, felt the heat and got it outside as the shrinkwrap melted away. I don't know why, it's showing 3.9V, but it is spending the night outside tonight.

 

[Dudeman]

Ouch! I've been using mine for 2 months now without a problem. I also have the negative contact so that curl in the steel faces up so it can't cut into the battery.

 

[KarrMcDebt]

Well, I was able to salvage everything but the battery. Rebuilt the MadVape and after all the tests I could run, actualy put my last remaining 10440 batt into it and,.....


Whew...Vape. All is well with the MadVape! Only out a batt, but gained one heck of a lesson.

ALWAYS test with LOW VOLTAGE! Then if there is a problem you don't melt your project into a puddle of goo.

And ALWAYS double check your insulators! They are tiny and delicate. One split and you have a short.

 

[Connman]

UT-Oh. Sorry to hear this news.
Brings back bad memories of a U. V. O. close encounter with a cut TR10440 I had.

Me wonders who`s next.

Oh no not me again. 8-o

 

[NatureBoy]

So is it ok then?

I can send you mine if you want, I don't need it.

 

[KarrMcDebt]

The mod is fine, the battery is no longer safe. I'll take it to recycling and buy a new one.
No point in risking my health/safety for a $5 battery.

Truthfully, I probaly won't even use the mod, but I wanted to have one for the "collection". (That and I made a pictorial walkthrough on how to do it. Posted in Mad Vapes thread.)

 

[Keegan1014]

I have had nothing but problems with those 10440 batteries
I have 4 of them and will not even use those anymore.

 

[KarrMcDebt]

If you don't want them you can send them to me. I have 2 box mods that use them.

I'm pretty sure the problem was a short in the mod and not the battery, at least in this case LOL.

 

[four2109]

So it seems the 10440's aren't really protected. I guess the 14250's aren't either. Maybe against over-charge and over discharge. But not against short circuit.

 

[NatureBoy]

So it seems the 10440's aren't really protected. I guess the 14250's aren't either. Maybe against over-charge and over discharge. But not against short circuit.

Is that all 10440's in general, or the ones you have?

I'm making some 10440 mods, but I don't want to use any non-protected batteries in them, which at this point is all I have. I'd like to find some high quality protected 10440s.

 

[four2109]

I don't know. I guess we should take this over to Hoog's thread and ask him. The specifics of the protection aren't stated on the label of the 14250's and the 10440's don't say they are protected, they just have the ridges.

 

[NatureBoy]

I don't know. I guess we should take this over to Hoog's thread and ask him. The specifics of the protection aren't stated on the label of the 14250's and the 10440's don't say they are protected, they just have the ridges.

Hmm, I have some 14500 batteries that were sold as protected that actually don't have any markings of protection, but also have the indentation.

I really wish these battery manufacturers would get their 'stuff' together and mark these things properly.

 

[four2109]

Is that all 10440's in general, or the ones you have?

I'm making some 10440 mods, but I don't want to use any non-protected batteries in them, which at this point is all I have. I'd like to find some high quality protected 10440s.

I asked Hoog about them over there, because that's where I got them. They are all supposed to be protected.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/madvapes/76214-hey-hoog-about-protected-batteries.html
I have a solitaire AAA I won't be using with them. I'll use my Madvapes light because I used an RCA connector and I don't think there much chance of that shorting out. The 14250 that got hot was in a 5volt box.

 

[NatureBoy]

I asked Hoog about them over there, because that's where I got them. They are all supposed to be protected.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/madvapes/76214-hey-hoog-about-protected-batteries.html
I have a solitaire AAA I won't be using with them. I'll use my Madvapes light because I used an RCA connector and I don't think there much chance of that shorting out. The 14250 that got hot was in a 5volt box.

These look like they're what we're looking for.

- With integrated PCB Protection
- Over current protection current: 4A
- Over current protection voltage: 0.2V
- Over charging protection voltage: 4.25V +/- 25mV
- Over discharging protection voltage: 2.5V +/- 50mV
- Lithium Ion 10440 cylindrical rechargeable batteries
- Lighting or other device needing 3.7V power
- Product print '600mAh', the exact capacity is 350mAh
(DealExtreme: $5.08 TrustFire Protected 10440 "600mAh" 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries (2-Pack))

With a protection of up to 4A, it seems like these would be perfectly safe for use in devices that require 10440 batteries. I dunno why I didn't order those instead of the ones I ended up with. Doh!