OMG!!!! My battery justn now EXPLODED

[Ryedan]

lastly i would say ego batteries are just as safe as any other out there.
to imply they may be more dangerous than any other type out there
is a disservice at best.

IMO these batteries are safe enough. It's the chargers that allow the wrong batteries to be attached that are the problem. There is a whole design methodology devoted to avoiding this. The Japanese call it 'poka-yoke' and it is being practiced by designers all over the world these days.

 

[Fisheeboy]

I hesitate to speak my mind here as 1) might sound foolish 2) might sound trollish 3) might sound stupid all pretty much shame issues but reconsidered and am sucking it up because ... might be others feeling the same way I do about now. Maybe I've hit overload between this and the "cats thread" but I'm in a fairly paranoid and stressed state and I'm not being melodramatic. This thread (not the OP as how things happened were established) but all the conflicting info on it, comes at just the "right" time... maybe the perfect storm situation for me.

I started vaping about a year and a half ago. In that time, I researched until I felt safe with what I settled on and how I used it with a few learning experiences like using a lipo bag and getting leary of the heat buildup in it. I decided to take my chances charging in open air as a result and doing the baking dish thing. After dealing with a Vamo and not feeling confident, I put it and the batteries, charger, etc in the cabinet and stuck with Joye Ego C upgrades. I chose USB passthroughs as that would eliminate the possibility of accidentally using the wrong charging cable as I had 510 cigalikes from early on. I figured I was doing everything possible to protect myself and my home and they're not only convenient but I can charge them sitting right here at my computer where I also charge my cell phone... can't get more "attended" than that... right? But, oh nooooo, one could freakin explode right next to ME, my computer and all my external drives! I charge them all either as soon as the battery signals me to with the LED light change or just whenever I change to using another battery... four of them regularly throughout the day... its so convenient to just plug them in whether they say they need it or not since I sit right here. NOW they're all at least a year old AND one has quit going into unregulated mode and I don't know when it did as I don't use the mode that often. I did drop it about a foot to the floor once sooo.... I started not one but two threads asking if it was safe. No answers until I found another (old) thread and went off topic on it to ask... was confident I was okay and now this thread..... GEEEEZ! Well, crap, sorry if I'm getting incoherent here... I don't handle emotion well and I'm definitely feeling those.

So *breath*...

1) do I chuck all my Joye C upgrade passthroughs because they are at a year old or approaching a year at least... didn't think I needed to keep track... that would be 8 of them?
2) do I quit charging them right where I'm sitting? If so, what is the freakin point of a passthrough?
3) should I chuck the one that the LED won't light to orange indicating unregulated mode. does that mean its dangerous to use? I was told it would be okay to use but, like I said, am paranoid now.
4) should I just quit using Joye and/or Ego batteries altogether? (I'm even worried about sitting by my cell phone charging it about now but its a necessary "evil" having it.... guess I'll just move it to the kitchen to charge.)
5) and what, pray tell, should I use that has better protection and I don't have to be an electrician to understand or use it?

I would bet money on two things 1) someone will consider these questions stooopid and/or paranoid and/or hysterical 2) someone will be glad I asked because they are having some of the same concerns about now.

*breeeeeath* and hit "post."

Having a respectful fear is a good thing. I hate the idea of this thread ever being a source for a negative light to be shown on vaping. I messed up! This happened because I was being unsafe. This wasn't because my batteries were unsafe. I don't like it that there is some conflicting information on this thread but that seems to happen quite often around here so you have to learn how to eat the meat and spit out the bone. I don't think you need to throw away your stuff unless it is no longer working. I just think you(we) need to be careful and respectful of what it is that we are doing as vaporists.

 

[patkin]

^ thanks on the "meat/bone" thing. You're right. I'm one of those too logical types and when I, rarely, get emotional it is way too much for me to handle. When I settle down I'll be able to approach the whole thread more logically. Thanks again and I'm glad you and yours came out okay and I do appreciate your OP and input. It helps us all.

 

[Shadav]

meh fisheeboy don't feel bad...I'd been the one posting this almost a year ago if it weren't for Rick and Bad beating into my head not to use my blu charger on my ego battery....just because it fits doesn't mean it's a good idea and that all cig-a-like-chargers are not the same
Different 510 Chargers, What's The Difference?

 

[Robino1]

I hesitate to speak my mind here as 1) might sound foolish 2) might sound trollish 3) might sound stupid all pretty much shame issues but reconsidered and am sucking it up because ... might be others feeling the same way I do about now. Maybe I've hit overload between this and the "cats thread" but I'm in a fairly paranoid and stressed state and I'm not being melodramatic. This thread (not the OP as how things happened were established) but all the conflicting info on it, comes at just the "right" time... maybe the perfect storm situation for me.

I started vaping about a year and a half ago. In that time, I researched until I felt safe with what I settled on and how I used it with a few learning experiences like using a lipo bag and getting leary of the heat buildup in it. I decided to take my chances charging in open air as a result and doing the baking dish thing. After dealing with a Vamo and not feeling confident, I put it and the batteries, charger, etc in the cabinet and stuck with Joye Ego C upgrades. I chose USB passthroughs as that would eliminate the possibility of accidentally using the wrong charging cable as I had 510 cigalikes from early on. I figured I was doing everything possible to protect myself and my home and they're not only convenient but I can charge them sitting right here at my computer where I also charge my cell phone... can't get more "attended" than that... right? But, oh nooooo, one could freakin explode right next to ME, my computer and all my external drives! I charge them all either as soon as the battery signals me to with the LED light change or just whenever I change to using another battery... four of them regularly throughout the day... its so convenient to just plug them in whether they say they need it or not since I sit right here. NOW they're all at least a year old AND one has quit going into unregulated mode and I don't know when it did as I don't use the mode that often. I did drop it about a foot to the floor once sooo.... I started not one but two threads asking if it was safe. No answers until I found another (old) thread and went off topic on it to ask... was confident I was okay and now this thread..... GEEEEZ! Well, crap, sorry if I'm getting incoherent here... I don't handle emotion well and I'm definitely feeling those.

So *breath*...

1) do I chuck all my Joye C upgrade passthroughs because they are at a year old or approaching a year at least... didn't think I needed to keep track... that would be 8 of them?
2) do I quit charging them right where I'm sitting? If so, what is the freakin point of a passthrough?
3) should I chuck the one that the LED won't light to orange indicating unregulated mode. does that mean its dangerous to use? I was told it would be okay to use but, like I said, am paranoid now.
4) should I just quit using Joye and/or Ego batteries altogether? (I'm even worried about sitting by my cell phone charging it about now but its a necessary "evil" having it.... guess I'll just move it to the kitchen to charge.)
5) and what, pray tell, should I use that has better protection and I don't have to be an electrician to understand or use it?

I would bet money on two things 1) someone will consider these questions stooopid and/or paranoid and/or hysterical 2) someone will be glad I asked because they are having some of the same concerns about now.

*breeeeeath* and hit "post."

Breathe! I don't have any answers for you but want to acknowledge your concerns. Nope, no stupid questions in there. I'm curious myself, even though I don't use those. A part of me doesn't really trust a passthrough simply because of the name. In my very limited knowledge (in other words none) passthrough mean to bypass something. Is that something the safety features built into the PV?

I truly hope someone reads and responds to your post!

 

[Fisheeboy]

meh fisheeboy don't feel bad...I'd been the one posting this almost a year ago if it weren't for Rick and Bad beating into my head not to use my blu charger on my ego battery....just because it fits doesn't mean it's a good idea and that all cig-a-like-chargers are not the same
Different 510 Chargers, What's The Difference?

Thanks. I really think that this was a case of difefferent polarity like that blu stuff mentioned before. That's what makes the most sense to dad and I as we try figuring out why it happened.

 

[edyle]

^ thanks on the "meat/bone" thing. You're right. I'm one of those too logical types and when I, rarely, get emotional it is way too much for me to handle. When I settle down I'll be able to approach the whole thread more logically. Thanks again and I'm glad you and yours came out okay and I do appreciate your OP and input. It helps us all.

If you have Joyetech batteries, I'd be confident in quality;

 

[Ryedan]

I hesitate to speak my mind here as 1) might sound foolish 2) might sound trollish 3) might sound stupid all pretty much shame issues but reconsidered and am sucking it up because ... might be others feeling the same way I do about now. Maybe I've hit overload between this and the "cats thread" but I'm in a fairly paranoid and stressed state and I'm not being melodramatic. This thread (not the OP as how things happened were established) but all the conflicting info on it, comes at just the "right" time... maybe the perfect storm situation for me.

I started vaping about a year and a half ago. In that time, I researched until I felt safe with what I settled on and how I used it with a few learning experiences like using a lipo bag and getting leary of the heat buildup in it. I decided to take my chances charging in open air as a result and doing the baking dish thing. After dealing with a Vamo and not feeling confident, I put it and the batteries, charger, etc in the cabinet and stuck with Joye Ego C upgrades. I chose USB passthroughs as that would eliminate the possibility of accidentally using the wrong charging cable as I had 510 cigalikes from early on. I figured I was doing everything possible to protect myself and my home and they're not only convenient but I can charge them sitting right here at my computer where I also charge my cell phone... can't get more "attended" than that... right? But, oh nooooo, one could freakin explode right next to ME, my computer and all my external drives! I charge them all either as soon as the battery signals me to with the LED light change or just whenever I change to using another battery... four of them regularly throughout the day... its so convenient to just plug them in whether they say they need it or not since I sit right here. NOW they're all at least a year old AND one has quit going into unregulated mode and I don't know when it did as I don't use the mode that often. I did drop it about a foot to the floor once sooo.... I started not one but two threads asking if it was safe. No answers until I found another (old) thread and went off topic on it to ask... was confident I was okay and now this thread..... GEEEEZ! Well, crap, sorry if I'm getting incoherent here... I don't handle emotion well and I'm definitely feeling those.

So *breath*...

1) do I chuck all my Joye C upgrade passthroughs because they are at a year old or approaching a year at least... didn't think I needed to keep track... that would be 8 of them?
2) do I quit charging them right where I'm sitting? If so, what is the freakin point of a passthrough?
3) should I chuck the one that the LED won't light to orange indicating unregulated mode. does that mean its dangerous to use? I was told it would be okay to use but, like I said, am paranoid now.
4) should I just quit using Joye and/or Ego batteries altogether? (I'm even worried about sitting by my cell phone charging it about now but its a necessary "evil" having it.... guess I'll just move it to the kitchen to charge.)
5) and what, pray tell, should I use that has better protection and I don't have to be an electrician to understand or use it?

I would bet money on two things 1) someone will consider these questions stooopid and/or paranoid and/or hysterical 2) someone will be glad I asked because they are having some of the same concerns about now.

*breeeeeath* and hit "post."

It is confusing patkin! Don't let it get to you. I'm glad you asked the questions you did and FWIW here's how I look at it.

The vast majority of battery accidents happen from user error. If you use the correct charger on the correct battery you have little to worry about. If you chuck the battery with the LED that won't light to orange, all your batteries will be fully functional and in good repair. Your batteries being a year old does not matter. What matters is that they have fewer than about 300 full charges on them. At that point I would say replace them all. If you always charge them when they are only half empty, then they are good for 600 charge cycles.

Charging your pass throughs while vaping them is IMO just fine. I used to have a Kgo and did the same thing. I did not however leave it on the charger all the time, letting the battery discharge between charges. These batteries need to heat up before they vent and you'll notice that before something happens. If you're using the correct charger, it would take a electrical failure to cause a problem.

I use good known batteries with good known chargers. I've dented a couple of the batteries and disposed of them. I don't leave them charging when I'm not here or sleeping. If I'm not in the computer room, I put the charger on the stove in the kitchen. I sometimes put a hand on the charger and check if it's heating up, not at anything like regular intervals, just when I pass by it and think of it.

I don't let the small remaining risk get to me. I figure I've done all the reasonable things I can to avoid trouble. That works for me.

 

[kbjoran]

1st post on page 25! Where my prize? Do I have to go back and find the post where someone said they would give a prize for this accomplishment?!?!?

I've been just lurking here since last night. You definitely deserve a prize.

 

[Shadav]

lol even using the correct charger sometimes doesn't "work" I bought an ego charger for my ego battery...3 ego batteries later figured out I just had a faulty charger....it was, while charging the ego somehow warping the 510 connection so that nothing would screw into it anymore.....

yeah that took a while to figure out what the bloody hell was going on and many many process of elimination before we all realized that the only thing that was the same was the charger

so don't beat yourself up, sometimes .... happens

 

[FourWinds]

It would be so easy to make a charging mistake I think. I have two 510 chargers for two batteries, and they both look almost identical; the print of the mA output charging current on both is bloody minute, I mean really really small; there should be a font size regulation to fix that IMO. I have now taken an indelible marker pen and written on the things, so that I can see what's what.

 

[kbjoran]

Wow a lots happened here since last night. And I'm feeling just as embarressed as I did after realizing that I was the likely cause of the explosion. I admit to my ignorance but if my ignorance helps take away someone else's ignorance than I can humbly admit to my mistake very easily. I know you folks don't know anything about me and yet almost all of you have shown concern and have taken this very seriously and for that I am grateful. I'm thankful that new members are taking precautions because of my experience.
As for any of you who may doubt me, Well fisrt of all I am not a child. I'm a 36 yr old man and have seen and done scary things that many of you could not imagine, so second I don't scare easily. Guns? yeah shot lots of guns, made lots of explosive stuff in my younger years too. My only concern for myself and other members of this forum or any lurkers is to emphasize the importance of vaping safely. I think all of you are fantastic and I'm proud to be a member of this forum. It's more than just e-cigs, this really is a community. I'm gald we all have our own opinions and that we are able to express those opinions here.

Thanks again for speaking up! We've all done stupid things and we all experience learning curves throughout our lives.

My bet is that last night was NOT the first time you used that charger with that battery. You really had no way of knowing.

 

[Fisheeboy]

Thanks again for speaking up! We've all done stupid things and we all experience learning curves throughout our lives.

My bet is that last night was NOT the first time you used that charger with that battery. You really had no way of knowing.

My life has been one constant learning curve Good thing I like learning, even if it's the hard way. I honestly can't remember if I ever used that charger with those batteries before. But I can guarantee that I will never use it again.

 

[Plumes.91]

Try HobbyKing.com I think this is the largest one they carry. It's almost 10x13": Lithium Polymer Charge Pack 25x33cm JUMBO Sack As an aside - do note the significantly lower prices HK is charging compared to e-cig vendors...

WOW, thanks bud!

 

[Myrany]

I believe with ego batterys it is full charge cycles that matter not calendar time. I have 2 that are nearly a year old now but for the last 9 months or so only get recharged maybe once a week. Once I went over to replaceable batter mods I only use the egos for driving. So I fully expect these egos to hold up another year or more. I do however take a multimeter too them after charging(and resting) to be sure they are still recharging properly. I suspect that will be my first real indication that it is time to recycle them since the hours between charges is so hard to determine with my use pattern.

 

[MorpheusPA]

I believe with ego batterys it is full charge cycles that matter not calendar time. I have 2 that are nearly a year old now but for the last 9 months or so only get recharged maybe once a week. Once I went over to replaceable batter mods I only use the egos for driving. So I fully expect these egos to hold up another year or more. I do however take a multimeter too them after charging(and resting) to be sure they are still recharging properly. I suspect that will be my first real indication that it is time to recycle them since the hours between charges is so hard to determine with my use pattern.

Calendar (storage) time does impact the lifespan of lithium batteries, and they're best stored at around 3.7 volts. Regardless of storage, most lithium batteries will be stone dead in five years or so, or way longer than we need. Short-term storage at full charge certainly isn't a problem, and keeping them cold extends lifespans regardless of charge level.

My oldest battery, right at this instant, is a bit over a year old. It charges properly, but the charging sequence keeps getting shorter because the battery capacity is rapidly decreasing. By April I'll be replacing that one--not because it's dangerous, but because the remaining capacity will be too low to bother with. Number of charges? I'm going to guess close to eight or nine hundred.

Said battery performs perfectly with no peculiarities. If it had any, it would be retired and recycled immediately.

 

[Coldrake]

Wow Fisheeboy, that's scary! So glad you are alright. It looks like you escaped with only minor damage.

Thanks for posting this, I'm sure you've prevented this from happening to a lot of other people. You can never get too much information on battery safety.

A word of caution for those buying battery charging bags. They are probably fine for charging an eGo type battery at the end of a cord, but I do NOT recommend using a charger inside the bag. Chargers are not designed to be used in tightly inclosed spaces. They give off heat which can become excessive inside an enclosed charging bag. As far as I'm concerned, using a charger inside of a charging bag is an accident waiting to happen.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/422476-battery-charging-bag.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-issues/298283-charging-batteries-bag.html

 

[Ryedan]

I believe with ego batterys it is full charge cycles that matter not calendar time. I have 2 that are nearly a year old now but for the last 9 months or so only get recharged maybe once a week. Once I went over to replaceable batter mods I only use the egos for driving. So I fully expect these egos to hold up another year or more. I do however take a multimeter too them after charging(and resting) to be sure they are still recharging properly. I suspect that will be my first real indication that it is time to recycle them since the hours between charges is so hard to determine with my use pattern.

Yup, it is charge cycles that matter Myrany. I have a 2 year old 650 mAh eGo and a 1 3/4 year old 900 mAh Twist that are still going strong. If they are regulated eGo batteries like mine you won't see a change in voltage until they are pretty much discharged. You'll have to go on discharge time with these. In your case, where you don't use them much, they will eventually lose a lot of charge just sitting so you'll find that you charged one a month ago and when you go to use it it will be almost empty. That's definitely the time to recycle them.

 

[DQuit]

Fishee, I am glad you are OK and no one was hurt. Thank you for posting this. I just put my eGo battery on the charger and was going to leave for the day. Instead I ordered a lipo bag and I'll take it off the charger when I leave. Oh I set it in a cake pan to charge. Thanks for this important thread!

 

[zapped]

Wow a ton of replies to this.

IMO It's user error plain and simple.

Every vaper should have a voltage tester in their toolbox. Li-Ion batteries were designed to have 500 cycles of charging capability. Using batteries with sub-ohm coils causes them to discharge at a faster rate and will shorten charging cycles considerably.

It is also generally accepted that Li-Ion cells should be disposed of /recycled when the charged capacity has dropped to 80% of the original capacity of the cell.

To put that into laymans terms, a fully charged battery (18650, Ego, etc etc) should read 4.2 volts or slightly under when fully charged.

20 percent of the batteries capacity is .84 volts or 3.36 volts and under

If youre noticing that your battery loses charge in your mod quickly its past time to test it and more often than not, dispose of it properly.

Not laying all of the blame at the feet of the user either, China isnt exactly known for their quality control which makes the need for a voltage tester even more important.