Risk vs reward

[jugs]

Hi all

I have recently been looking at (and ordering) some of the 3.7-6V mods that are available at the moment.

I went into my local battery store and had a chat with an employee who was very knowledgeable regarding batteries in general. He was quite shocked by the fact that people are putting batteries like 18650's and CR123 so close to their face in an enclosed metal casing. He said that many of these batteries are renown for failing, to the point where you can't even purchase these batteries within Australia without signing a stat dec.

Obviously protected batteries coupled with vent holes is lowering the chance of and the outcome of a failure, but things may still go wrong. Let alone people that use unprotected batteries (without separate failure prevention systems) in fully enclosed metal cases, which I find quite ignorant and downright absurd.

Am I being paranoid here? Is this something you all think about and are aware of? Have there been many cases of serious injury due to a battery exploding in somebodies face? And is this additional risk the reason some of these larger manufacturers are not pushing the power of these devices?

 

[candre23]

Is this something you all think about and are aware of? Have there been many cases of serious injury due to a battery exploding in somebodies face? And is this additional risk the reason some of these larger manufacturers are not pushing the power of these devices?

Yes, we're well aware of the potential risks involved. At least most of us are - and those that are constantly attempt to inform those that aren't. There have been one or two injuries as a result of catastrophic battery failure, but to the best of my knowledge, they were all due to homemade mods used in conjunction with unprotected batteries. Because of these high-profile battery failures, this forum posted some basic safety requirements for mods, and the strong suggestion is that any mod sold over the forum must meet the guidelines.

Anywhere you mix high energy density batteries and DIY there is the potential for trouble. Be it flashlight and laser enthusiasts, airsofters, RC hobbyists or roboticists, all those guys run into the same safety concerns. It's a little more dangerous for us because these are devices we keep in out homes (even in out pockets) and hold up to our faces, but we try to be as safe as we can.

Between cell phones, MP3 players, power tools and laptops, we're surrounded by Li-ion and LiPo batteries. As long as you build your devices correctly, use proper safety measures and respect the potential for danger if you're not careful, PVs can be just as safe as all the other high-power battery devices we use every day.

 

[chev327fox]

Yes, we're well aware of the potential risks involved. At least most of us are - and those that are constantly attempt to inform those that aren't. There have been one or two injuries as a result of catastrophic battery failure, but to the best of my knowledge, they were all due to homemade mods used in conjunction with unprotected batteries. Because of these high-profile battery failures, this forum posted some basic safety requirements for mods, and the strong suggestion is that any mod sold over the forum must meet the guidelines.

Anywhere you mix high energy density batteries and DIY there is the potential for trouble. Be it flashlight and laser enthusiasts, airsofters, RC hobbyists or roboticists, all those guys run into the same safety concerns. It's a little more dangerous for us because these are devices we keep in out homes (even in out pockets) and hold up to our faces, but we try to be as safe as we can.

Between cell phones, MP3 players, power tools and laptops, we're surrounded by Li-ion and LiPo batteries. As long as you build your devices correctly, use proper safety measures and respect the potential for danger if you're not careful, PVs can be just as safe as all the other high-power battery devices we use every day.

Very well said.

Most production mods these days all sell their devices with protected batteries and say in their description that they do not recommend the use of unprotected batteries. Li-ion cells are a risk a lot of people take, that;s not to say that they aren't safe as long as you care for them properly and use them properly.

 

[Rocketman]

Do you use a
LAPTOP Computer?

Most have nine 18650 Li-ion cells in the battery pack.

 

[doots]

Do you use a
LAPTOP Computer?

Most have nine 18650 Li-ion cells in the battery pack.

exactly...\

there are thousands of mods in use with no accidents. there have been a couple that we have heard about and mainly with cr2s.

If you use a cell phone up to your ear you are in danger as well as they use a 3.7 li ion battery in every one of them.. a few of those have exploded also but we still keep using them..

I will take my chances..

 

[keyzygirl]

Ive only heard of 2 battery issues here.One was a chuck,before they vented it to make it safer.There was no serious injury with that one.I only use protected batts I dont stack them,overdrain or overcharge.Just be as smart and safe as you can.Anything can be dangerous if you use bad judgement.

 

[chev327fox]

Do you use a
LAPTOP Computer?

Most have nine 18650 Li-ion cells in the battery pack.

My Dell Inspiron that I'm using right now has them in it... I haven't heard a "BOOM" yet...