Nitecore i4, audible "clack", LG HE4 battery stopped charging, very hot, and then dead

[gorman]

I've tried summarizing as best as I could what just happened with my i4 charger and an oldish LG HE4 (wrap absolutely flawless) I was charging with it.

The charger was charging the aforemention battery in slot 1 and a Samsung 30Q in slot 4. The charger was on my desk and I was using my PC. I heard a somewhat loud "clack" sound, I thought it came from the charger, I looked and the slot 1 led had completely stopped blinking. I immediately took out the battery from slot 1 and it was very hot to the touch. Not unbearably so but hot.

I placed the battery out of the window, as I was afraid it could vent or worse. It did not. I waited for half an hour and then measured it. It measures 0.01 volts... it clearly is dead, I don't plan on trying to use it anymore and I'll dispose of it soon. But I'd be interested in understanding what exactly happened. Slot 1 in the charger appears to work correctly, as far as I can judge by placing another battery and charging it there.

 

[Rossum]

If the charger slot it was in is working correctly, it sounds like the battery had an internal failure. Take a look at the top of the battery. Remove the wrap and insulator. See if it doesn't show signs of having broken its seal.

I would watch the charger like a hawk for a while though.

 

[Mooch]

That sound you heard was probably the Current Interrupt device (CID) tripping. It is an overpressure safety switch built into some batteries. Something went very, very wrong with your battery and it started generating excess gas internally, probably from all that heat. The CID tripped to prevent the cell from venting through the top venting disk or even bursting.

What caused all that heat I do not know.

 

[gorman]

Thank you both for your replies. A scary situation for sure. The battery was not new but it had never been abused and I always measure my batteries after charging.

Since I have no way to be sure that the charger wasn't responsible, I'll dispose of it and buy a new one.
@Mooch do you recommend any charger on the market? 4 slots would be great but two can suffice. Ideally connected straight to mains current.

Thanks again.

 

[Mooch]

Thank you both for your replies. A scary situation for sure. The battery was not new but it had never been abused and I always measure my batteries after charging.

Since I have no way to be sure that the charger wasn't responsible, I'll dispose of it and buy a new one.
@Mooch do you recommend any charger on the market? 4 slots would be great but two can suffice. Ideally connected straight to mains current.

Thanks again.

Sorry, no charger recommendations yet.

 

[mimöschen]

...do you recommend any charger on the market? 4 slots would be great but two can suffice. Ideally connected straight to mains current.

Thanks again.

Review of Charger GyrFalcon All-44

 

[sonicbomb]

I had two Samsung 30Qs both go zero volts in a Nitecore D4 while charging. I blamed the charger, as two batteries dying simultaneously seemed highly unlikely.

 

[Baditude]

Xtar VP2 and Efest LUC v2 or v4 are excellent affordable chargers. Link to my guide on choosing a charger is in my blog below in my sig.