Slight tear in battery jacket

[humpstyles]

Sup ECF.

Have been using MNKE 26650s for the past 2 weeks. Great batteries. I've been rotating through 2 of them; normally swapping them out around 4.0v just to keep the power topped off.

The mod they're being used in is an hcigar Helmsman. When I insert the batteries, it doesn't just plop in, it slowly slides down, as there is a small amount of friction. Once it's in place, it is nice and snug, as it should be.

I took one out this morning and saw a small tear in the battery jacket. I know tears as a big no-no, but I wanted to gauge the community to see what you guys thought:

So, is it still safe to use? Or do I need to get another battery after only 2 weeks?

Thanks in advance,

hump.

 

[Funk Dracula]

Heat shrink tubing. 43mm wide for 26650 batteries.

Just google 43mm heat shrink tubing and you'll end up getting a lifetime supply of it for less than the cost of a single battery. (way less than $10 for something like 25 feet)

Be extremely careful removing the original wrap. Use your fingernails if you can. Lay the naked battery along side some tubing, and cut a length eyeballing a decent amount of overhang to wrap around the top caps of the battery. It's important to have it wrapped around enough on the cap sides to prevent a short.

If you don't have a heat gun (surprise), a lighter or butane torch that you would use to prime your kanthal works perfectily fine. Use common sense and don't get the battery too hot while shrinking the tube.

I'm sure there is plenty on youtube about heat shrinking batteries.


Cheers

 

[humpstyles]

Funk,

Excellent response and quick, in depth tutorial.

I don't think I will ever want (nor have the balls) to take a torch to a battery. Just doesn't sound very promising.

Judging by the tear in the picture, do you think this battery is safe to use? Like I said, it's only been used for under 2 weeks. Lowest build I've been using is 0.45, which is well in the safe zone, so the battery isn't under too much stress and isn't getting hot.

 

[Funk Dracula]

Funk,

Excellent response and quick, in depth tutorial.

I don't think I will ever want (nor have the balls) to take a torch to a battery. Just doesn't sound very promising.

Judging by the tear in the picture, do you think this battery is safe to use? Like I said, it's only been used for under 2 weeks. Lowest build I've been using is 0.45, which is well in the safe zone, so the battery isn't under too much stress and isn't getting hot.

Do not use a battery with compromised wrapping. It has nothing to do with stressing the battery under a load, and everything to do with it shorting. A battery torn on the side could make contact with the side of the mech tube and cause an auto-fire, you dig?

I understand your hesitance to "torch" your battery or wrap it, but quite honestly it's easier than wrapping a coil.

Here's a quick video I found:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvonNnPYVnc


And a video using a lighter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD9kBax1DDk

Just don't hold the lighter or torch on one spot. You're battery will be fine.

Again, do not use that battery until you re-wrap it.

Cheers

 

[humpstyles]

Gotcha.

I figured that would be the answer. Much rather be safe that sorry.

I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Sgt.Rock]

You could also stop by any Home Depot or Lowes and snag some liquid electric tape in the electrical supply section...brush a little on the tear, let it dry and call it done.

 

[humpstyles]

Sgt,

I'm headed to the beach on Monday and could definitely use 2 batteries instead of just 1.

The method you're recommending sounds like the quick fix that I need to get me through the another week until I order another pair of batteries.

Has it been done before?

 

[Sgt.Rock]

Sgt,

I'm headed to the beach on Monday and could definitely use 2 batteries instead of just 1.

The method you're recommending sounds like the quick fix that I need to get me through the another week until I order another pair of batteries.

Has it been done before?

I've used it on many electrical things...it's as good or better an insulator than the thin battery wrapper is for sure!

 

[humpstyles]

Sgt,

I'm presuming you're recommend the liquid version to prevent actual electrical tape increasing the circumference of the battery?

 

[Sgt.Rock]

Yes! Just use enough to fill the tear

 

[Jimi D.]

Funk,

Excellent response and quick, in depth tutorial.

I don't think I will ever want (nor have the balls) to take a torch to a battery. Just doesn't sound very promising.

Judging by the tear in the picture, do you think this battery is safe to use? Like I said, it's only been used for under 2 weeks. Lowest build I've been using is 0.45, which is well in the safe zone, so the battery isn't under too much stress and isn't getting hot.

Bro, I use a hair dryer.

 

[humpstyles]

so, for the time being, I'm golden?

 

[Sgt.Rock]

It's just an insulator jacket...it's necessary but it's not some special compound they use. As long as it's covered you should be A-OK!

 

[twgbonehead]

Just to add my 2 cents, yes, the liquid tape should be a fine solution.

My guess is there's something sharp somewhere in the tube, though (perhaps some slag in a threaded section?) Your mod should NOT be tearing the wrapper of your battery, even if it's a snug fit. Check all the threaded parts carefully for some extra piece of metal sticking out. Try to figure out WHY the wrapper got cut, that's not normal and not healthy.

 

[supertrunker]

Bro, I use a hair dryer.

i need it back - there's new growth!

T

 

[AzPlumber]

If there is room in your mod around the battery, wrap a piece of a playing card around the battery. This would add another layer and maybe prevent further damage.

Careful the deuces are wild.

 

[humpstyles]

Thanks everyone for the help; feel better about taking action.

My guess is there's something sharp somewhere in the tube, though (perhaps some slag in a threaded section?) Your mod should NOT be tearing the wrapper of your battery, even if it's a snug fit. Check all the threaded parts carefully for some extra piece of metal sticking out. Try to figure out WHY the wrapper got cut, that's not normal and not healthy.

Although it's made by HCigar (so it's theoretically "authentic"), the machining is very precise and smooth. When the locking ring is locked, there are 4 airholes for venting. 3 of these airholes had very minute jagged metal sticking inside the tube. These protrusions left 1 or 2 light scratch marks on the battery jacket, but not enough to puncture it. I took some sandpaper tothem a week ago and they're good now.

The only other reason that tear could have happened is when I dropped it a few days ago; it looks to line up right with where my mod landed on cement. I'm going to take some sandpaper to the inside again just for safe measure, but I think I am okay now.

 

[Racehorse]

Funk,

Excellent response and quick, in depth tutorial.


Judging by the tear in the picture, do you think this battery is safe to use? Like I said, it's only been used for under 2 weeks. Lowest build I've been using is 0.45, which is well in the safe zone, so the battery isn't under too much stress and isn't getting hot.

I would not repair it until you can figure out WHY your mod is doing this to a brand new battery. I've had 20 batteries, all diff sizes and 15 differnt mods and never had this happen.

Putting a battery in and out of a PV shouldn't cause a tear like that.

EDIT: okay, my response late to the party, looks like you're going to smooth things out, good luck!

 

[rbrylawski]

Personally, I'd think about getting a different mod. A mod shouldn't have a battery opening so tight it can damage the skin on a battery. Just my .02 worth.........

 

[humpstyles]

Personally, I'd think about getting a different mod. A mod shouldn't have a battery opening so tight it can damage the skin on a battery. Just my .02 worth.........

Refer to my Post #17. Inside of the tube is smooth as butter now.