Rut row... Super hot 18500 batt right off the charger?

[orachel]

Oh man... I've got a big problem. Just went to take an 18500 off the tenergy charger, and it was HOT. Like HOT HOT. I pulled it out, put it on a non flammable surface, and unplugged charger. Funny thing is, I had it on my tox charger, but when I went to put it in Tox, the power wouldn't go on. So figured the tox charger wasn't working or something, and stuck it on tenergy charger. Now its CRAZY hot coming off the tenergy charger. Is there a way without a multimeter to figure out if its the battery or charger thats screwed up? I'm thinking battery, but am unsure, and no very little about batts (other than I don't wanna fry myself). Any ideas? I've never had a batt behave anyway outside the norm on me before. lol

The really unfortunate thing is I really need to use the charger, but am frightened to plug it back in. Does the fact that the batt was behaving oddly before it went on the tenergy make it likely it was a batt problem? I can do without the batt, but the charger is pretty important. I can order a new one in next week and a half, but not right this very second, unfortunately.

Also, what do you guys do with your dead batteries? This is the first time I've had a mod batt go wonky on me, and I've been using them a good 8 mos or so. Thanks for any help! I won't be touching the batt OR the charger till I hear from someone who knows more than I do about batt safety.

 

[bnrkwest]

I would say don't risk using that battery, once they get that hot they can be compromised, not worth it. If you plug in the charger without a batt what happens? I also use a Tenergy charger for my AW IMR batts, yesterday both charger and batts felt warm off the charge but not hot. I am waiting to try these batts and letting them rest for a day first. Always play it safe is the best. bnrk

 

[orachel]

Oh yeah, I have NO intention of using the battery again... I'm just worried if the charger is safe. Its just not worth the risk for a $8 battery. I have a few others, not many, but I'll be ok till I get batt replaced. K... gonna plug in the charger and feel it in a few mins, see if its getting really hot with no batt.

 

[orachel]

Update... I waited till charger was totally cool, then gave it a sniff... smells slightly like melted plastic, but doesn't look in any way shape or form melted. Also, the 'spring' in one of the battery channels is a little stiff... it doesn't 'spring back' quite how it used to. Anyway, I plugged it in by itself (no batt) and didn't get hot at all in about 10 minutes. I then unplugged it again, till I hear back from someone knows a lot about batt/charger safety.

 

[doots]

Id order a new charger today. They arent much more than the battery is and also a new 18500.

Oh yeah, I have NO intention of using the battery again... I'm just worried if the charger is safe. Its just not worth the risk for a $8 battery. I have a few others, not many, but I'll be ok till I get batt replaced. K... gonna plug in the charger and feel it in a few mins, see if its getting really hot with no batt.

 

[orachel]

I'd like to, but that's flat out not possible for another week and a half or so. Joys of being on a fixed income. I have other 'singular' chargers I can use in the interim, but they're just a pain in the tail. Someone just had me plug in charger, wait a while, see if it got hot, and then try an old battery, to see if it got hot after that. Didn't get hot by itself or with old battery, but I think the safest is to stop using it for the time being.

btw, your avvie looks remarkably like my cat! rofl She's got the same orange markings on one side of her face.

 

[grandmato5]

When it comes to our batteries AND our chargers when in doubt don't use what ever is in doubt. Impossible to tell from what you have described alone if it was a bad battery only or a battery gone bad because of the charger. Your backup charger may be a pita but better a pita then a battery going thermal and/or a charger bursting into flames.

 

[bnrkwest]

When it comes to our batteries AND our chargers when in doubt don't use what ever is in doubt. Impossible to tell from what you have described alone if it was a bad battery only or a battery gone bad because of the charger. Your backup charger may be a pita but better a pita then a battery going thermal and/or a charger bursting into flames.

I totally agree. I just found that one of my batts that was warm, as well as charger warm when charge was finished, has a discolored spot on bottom of batt like it got too hot, will not use it. Other batt I charged at the same time seems fine. Gees you never know! Glad I have back ups for another unit. bnrk

 

[Str8V8ping]

I recommend getting a better charger like the Pila IBC. Cheap chargers always worry me. With the Pila you pretty much know it will always work flawlessly . It was the best investment i made .I still use the one i bought 5 years ago everyday.

 

[Northernshrink]

Not trying to hijack here but is there any way of testing a charger with a volt meter ? Or simply when in doubt throw it out.

 

[orachel]

Hijack away... that's a good thing for all of us to know, for sure! Good question! I think there is a way to check, just cause a few people in another thread told me to use a multimeter to check, and they're the same, aren't they?? As long as you have one with the butterfly clip ends? Anyway, I think its possible, but don't know how. I'd like to, though!

I just found out we do own a multimeter, just need batts for it. rofl So I should be able to try out whatever is suggested in next few days, and see for sure if my charger is putting out what its supposed to, asap.

 

[ambientech]

Simple, If it is overcharging your batteries toss it

 

[tobarger]

I had a battery do exactly the same thing once, GET RID OF IT.
It was so hot in the charger that it melted the carpet when it hit the floor.
The charger was fine, I got the battery out if it in time, used it everyday for a couple of years since.

To test the charger, use a digital multimeter set to "DC Volts".
1) Without a battery the voltage should be ~4 volts, never more than 4.2 volts.
2) Now check a with a good battery inserted, again, should be ~4 volts, never more than 4.2 volts.

If the charger passes these two checks then proceed to try and charge a couple of good batteries.
But keep the charger on a short leash, its on probation, just keep a close watch on it for a while.

"You can do it, I'm pullin' for ya"

 

[orachel]

Oh, thank you! That's just what I needed! My friend Rick is clever with batts and such. He said open the charger and peek at the circuit board... if its fried, not to use it again. So I'll peek at it, and if it looks ok, I'll try your suggestion. My biggest concern is that its not stopping the charge when the batt is full. I don't know that, but as hot as the batt was, he thinks thats an option.

 

[tobarger]

Some of the Li-Ion chargers definitely don't shut off when the battery is fully charged.
"Trickle Charging" after fully charged is definitely not good for Li-Ion batteries. To find out for sure you would have to research specific charger models on the CandlePower Forum. Thats why I bought a Pila years ago, haven't had to research chargers since. Peace of mind is worth the extra cost to me. I know it doesn't take much to turn a Li-Ion battery into a little bomb. I also tend to stick with AW batteries, even if brand X seems tempting.

 

[Dana A]

I have a nice charger that I paid 24 bucks for because the pilas were sold out but I am still getting a Pila as soon as I can and use this one for a back up. Safety is NO place to cut corners. I sit right here with my batts while they charge and that won't change when I have a Pila. The other day I needed to leave while my batts were on the charger and I thought for a min about just sitting the charger in the garage on the cement while I was gone but ended up just unplugging it till I got home. Does anyone know if it is bad for the batts to unplug the charger part way threw and then plug it back in later to finish? I end up being a slave to babysitting my batts on the charger sometimes because Im not sure about this.

 

[tobarger]

The batteries will probably discharge some depending on how long they are left in the unplugged charger. But it shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[bnrkwest]

I don't think you should keep batts in a charger even unplugged, take then out and then when you get back put them in a charge again. I also read that batts should rest a bit after being used before they go on a charger and then rest them after charge before using them again.
bnrk