Here is a link to the kit that includes the dangerous battery and charger combination:
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1376701
Here are some pics of a recent catastrophic failure when using the KK-VV18350 charger and the H.K.L. 800mAh ICR batteries:
First, a shot of the charger after one of the batteries exploded. This was the typical "venting with flames" event that happens when an unprotected ICR cell goes thermal.
Here are the two batteries, the same make and capacity as those sold in the kit linked above.
Here is a shot of the damage caused by the event.
Here is a pic of the charger, the batteries and the charger label:
The charger has an 700ma output capacity for cells rated at 3.6v. While the D.K.L. ICR's have a nominal capacity of 900mAh, testing has shown an actual capacity far lower than that, and highly variable. Whenever a charger hits a battery with a higher charging current than the battery's capacity, overcharging can occur and thermal runaway is possible.
The problem is primarily with the charger, but the ICR chemistry plays a role, too. The charger has a single LED indicator. Most likely, there is no intelligence in the charger and both bays will charge even if one cell reaches a fully charged state. Both are likely to be charged until the second one reaches its fully charged state, or an event like the one depicted above occurs.
If you have not already replaced the batteries and charger with AW or Efest 18350's, do so. Same with the charger. You want a charger like the Nitecore, which has a 500mA max charge current per bay and independent detection of battery chemistry, charge state detection and proper charging current and type.
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1376701
Here are some pics of a recent catastrophic failure when using the KK-VV18350 charger and the H.K.L. 800mAh ICR batteries:
First, a shot of the charger after one of the batteries exploded. This was the typical "venting with flames" event that happens when an unprotected ICR cell goes thermal.
Here are the two batteries, the same make and capacity as those sold in the kit linked above.
Here is a shot of the damage caused by the event.
Here is a pic of the charger, the batteries and the charger label:
The charger has an 700ma output capacity for cells rated at 3.6v. While the D.K.L. ICR's have a nominal capacity of 900mAh, testing has shown an actual capacity far lower than that, and highly variable. Whenever a charger hits a battery with a higher charging current than the battery's capacity, overcharging can occur and thermal runaway is possible.
The problem is primarily with the charger, but the ICR chemistry plays a role, too. The charger has a single LED indicator. Most likely, there is no intelligence in the charger and both bays will charge even if one cell reaches a fully charged state. Both are likely to be charged until the second one reaches its fully charged state, or an event like the one depicted above occurs.
If you have not already replaced the batteries and charger with AW or Efest 18350's, do so. Same with the charger. You want a charger like the Nitecore, which has a 500mA max charge current per bay and independent detection of battery chemistry, charge state detection and proper charging current and type.
