jk037
Newly Enlightened
Interesting find today when I went to charge a pair of 18650s that have sat unused for a few months:
Cheap unprotected blue Ultrafires that have had very little use over the 18 months or so I've had them (they were supplied with a Trustfire 3T6 but I use protected cells in that due to it taking 2 in series).
One cell is visibly swollen, and leaking electrolyte from the ends of the wrapper. The wrapper itself feels pressurised, and the voltage measures 0.4v.
Clearly it's shafted, I'm not going to risk trying to charge it! But I'm wondering
(a) How to dispose of it safely. Currently it's in a large, strong toolbox in the garage just in case it pops.
(b) How a previously healthy battery can get into this state without use. Slowly evolving internal short, perhaps?
Cheap unprotected blue Ultrafires that have had very little use over the 18 months or so I've had them (they were supplied with a Trustfire 3T6 but I use protected cells in that due to it taking 2 in series).
One cell is visibly swollen, and leaking electrolyte from the ends of the wrapper. The wrapper itself feels pressurised, and the voltage measures 0.4v.
Clearly it's shafted, I'm not going to risk trying to charge it! But I'm wondering
(a) How to dispose of it safely. Currently it's in a large, strong toolbox in the garage just in case it pops.
(b) How a previously healthy battery can get into this state without use. Slowly evolving internal short, perhaps?
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