WARNING -- My Battery Exploded!

[jmalone]

Hey, all, long-time lurker, first-time poster. My exploding battery prompted me to register.

I was charging my 400 mah mini battery (Ego knock-off that I purchased from Stormy's Vapor Cellar) on a USB wall charger and a charger that came with the Green Smart Living cig-a-like starter kit I purchased about 6 months ago. The battery fit just fine on that charger, so I used it. Plugged it into the wall charger in the bathroom next to my bedroom, and 20 minutes later -- BANG! Thank God I was right there. The bottom of the battery had blown off and landed about 8 feet away, and the battery itself was in flames. Hand towel hanging right above it, box of Kleenex below. Pieces of flaming battery all over. I managed to unplug it and throw it in the sink (which is now scorched beyond repair).

Earlier in the week, when charging it for the first time, I plugged it directly into my computer, but the battery got SERIOUSLY hot, I could barely touch it, so I pulled it out. The wall charger kept the battery at a cooler temperature while charging, so I thought that would be the safe way to do it. WRONG.

If it had exploded while plugged into my computer, I'd be in the ER right now.

I love these little minis. Fortunately I had ordered two of them, so I have one left, but I'm terrified to charge it now. Did it blow up because the charger was from a different e-cig?

Please be careful out there.

 

[struckus]

sorry to hear and glad you are safe...

when your battery got really hot it should have been an indication something was wrong and it should have been disposed of promptly..you just can't take these chances on a li-ion battery..

again things could have been worse..glad no one was hurt..

 

[tc1]

Just because a battery will fit on another charger doesn't mean that battery is compatible with the output of another charger. A battery getting hot is the first sign of serious distress in the output/input. NEVER continue using or charging it on the same device if that happens. Sorry to hear about this situation but glad that you (and your home) are ok.

Always double check the output rating on a charger before deciding to use it on another device it didn't come with. If at all in doubt, ask the community on ECF before trying.

 

[jmalone]

It's not the first time I've done something stupid, and I'm sure it won't be the last! Off to buy the proper charger!

 

[Kibbster]

Bad idea to use a charger not designed for the battery.
A week ago my workmate asked to borrow my usb charger for his PV.
I did mention to him it was a bad idea, but he said it would be fine.
An hour later I was chatting to him and I pointed out his battery was dripping onto his desk!
He pulled it out red hot and it was still bubbling a few minutes later.
Luckily it was only a dead battery not a dead friend as the charge was plugged into the front USB port on his desk at chest height and directly infront of him.

That proved to me that using the wrong charger to charge a battery isn't just an old wives tale.
It's dangerous, as the OP found out.

 

[meli.]

I know ECF are investigating this, you can fill this form in and report the issue.
Glad you're OK.

 

[tc1]

It's not the first time I've done something stupid, and I'm sure it won't be the last! Off to buy the proper charger!

A lesson learned is a lesson learned. Atleast you didn't charge it unattended ... could have been a LOT worse. Don't hesitate to ask questions or get recommendations here at ECF, people are more than happy to help. If you find yourself a little gun shy now because of this, you can buy flame ......ant charging bags relatively cheap which helps protect you in case of a catastrophic charging failure. Just throwing that option out there if interested.

Welcome to ECF btw!

 

[jmalone]

Thanks, all. It's a lesson I won't soon forget.

 

[jmalone]

Flame-......ant charging bags? I'll definitely check those out, thanks!

 

[jmalone]

Thanks, meli. I reported it.

 

[tc1]

Flame-......ant charging bags? I'll definitely check those out, thanks!

You'll find that many people call them "LiPo bags" or "LiPo sacks". They're used in many different hobbies which require use of volatile batteries.

 

[AttyPops]

All chargers are not the same. Even if the output ratings look the same. Sometimes there's a compatibility issue...like polarity and such.

Use the proper charger, or one that is known to work for that specific e-cig. Check with the vendor if not sure.

LABEL the charger as to what e-cig it goes with when you get it.

(Note: I'm not taking about the A/C to USB converter that you plug into the electrical outlet. That's a different issue. The charger generally has a USB plug on one end and a place to screw the e-cig on the other. That's the one that must match the e-cig.)

 

[benjohnson273]

OMG - glad that you are safe.

The magnitude seems to be terribly high - I mean, had it been in your living room or your bedroom, it could have been a real danger.

 

[BGabe]

Any eGo style battery requires a charger with an output of 420mah. Most chargers for standard cig style batteries are well below this. The AC usb block (wall wart) must have an output that is equal to or greater than the charger itself.

Glad nothing serious happened.

 

[tc1]

Any eGo style battery requires a charger with an output of 420mah. Most chargers for standard cig style batteries are well below this. The AC usb block (wall wart) must have an output that is equal to or greater than the charger itself.

Glad nothing serious happened.

You can charge a battery below the recommended amp rating (takes longer to charge)... you just can't charge it ABOVE the charge amp rating of the battery.

Think of it like a hose. You can run as much pressure through that hose as it is rated with no harm. Low pressure ... no problem. However the moment you start pushing more pressure then than hose is rated for, you can blow it.

 

[jmalone]

Ben, no kidding! What if I had plugged it in and left the house? I'd have come home to fire trucks in my driveway and no place to live. I'm so thankful that the only thing that happened was a scorched sink.

How does that saying go? "If I can't set a good example, I'll just have to serve as a horrible warning!"

 

[jmalone]

Here's what's left of it:

 

[tc1]

Here's what's left of it:

Looks about right. EECK! Might want to keep the top ego/510 connection off of that sucker. Might come in handy one of these days.

 

[MalibuSunset]

GLAD you & house are ok !!! i also lost my bat 1100 ego style battery by using a gsl charger with it..........on the lookout for new system
the pic is really scary !!! again glad all is ok

 

[Strigoi]

They should have a thread like this that everyone needs to read before being able to post on here. I see way too many posts by people that think it's ok to leave batteries unattended while charging overnight.