Unprotected Batteries? Protege?

[designinme]

Just ordered a protege, really looking forward to a solid unit to have with me, but the only thing I am confused about, is the unprotected batteries? Someone said if they were totally discharged.. or over charged.. they could explode? I don't know if that is someone being a bit over the top.... OR.... do I need to have a certain routine when using this unit with these batteries to prevent damage to the unit.. and possibly to myself?

Thanks for the help!

 

[lotus14]

Just ordered a protege, really looking forward to a solid unit to have with me, but the only thing I am confused about, is the unprotected batteries? Someone said if they were totally discharged.. or over charged.. they could explode? I don't know if that is someone being a bit over the top.... OR.... do I need to have a certain routine when using this unit with these batteries to prevent damage to the unit.. and possibly to myself?

Thanks for the help!

The charger will stop at 4.2v and the batts will stop at 2.75v, though you will stop getting vapor long before the voltage gets that low. A single 14500 does not IMO need to be protected. In fact, most of the people having trouble with their batts are using the protected ones due to faulty protection circuits.

The main risk with the Protege (any PV) is that the switch sticks shut or the atty shorts, causing the device to get very hot. Use common sense and pay attention to what you're doing and you'll be fine.

The danger comes in when you stack two 3.0v or 3.7v in series to achieve higher voltages. That's when using unprotected batts is definitely at your own risk!

 

[designinme]

Thank you for clearing that up!