Storing batteries and explosive gases

Storing batteries and explosive gases

have always noticed funny smells from batteries stored in plastic containers.

so poked my Bacharach Combustible Gas detector into a few of my many battery storage containers.

first container had a mix of NMH, alk and li-ion thrown together recently from my desktop. negative results..

second was a Pelican Case full of Battery Station CR123.... that passed

third was a tub full of NHM cells which had not been touched for sometime.... that passed too

forth was a tub of Li-ion cells stored for several months... alarms went off... tub was full of explosive gases....

evidently gases has to accumulate for a bit to set detector off.
have not tried lighting up gases :green:

Good info to know cy. I guess some might be in danger popping the lid on a tub of these under the wrong circumstances.

My came from the CR123, the recharge li-on don't have any smell.

I have the same experience.. CR123As (and infact even lithium coin cells stored in quantity) seem to produce some kind of gas when stored. I have not noticed any smell from rechargeable Li-ions however.

Thanks for the test.

seems gases takes a bit to accumulate enough for combustible gas meter to pickup. also the tub that set meter off had a fairly large assortment of li-ion cells (24 cells) from world's first R123 to bare 18650 to protected 18650 to a wolf eyes (pila) cell...

cy, I'm wondering what you think this model is detecting? Looking at their link, it detects:

no clue on which gas... but I suspect hydrogen

Am I right in saying a good way to solve things for the paranoid would be to punch a small hole (3mm or so) in the box somewhere? Obviously for indoor/non waterproof storage.

cy said:

no clue on which gas... but I suspect hydrogen

Click to expand...

I just have a hard time accepting that batteries at rest like these are putting out detectable level of explosive gases, given their uses/applications. I'm not saying they're not, but the question of false positive detection may be another explanation.

don't know what it is.. but Bacharach Combustible Meters are the standard of the industry. some type of combustible gas is being emitted.

got two positive responses within 2-3 minutes... will try it again soon. of course false positive are always a possibility.

LuxLuthor said:

I just have a hard time accepting that batteries at rest like these are putting out detectable level of explosive gases, given their uses/applications. I'm not saying they're not, but the question of false positive detection may be another explanation.

Click to expand...

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

DM51 said:

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

Click to expand...

Depends on the dog.... but for one of ours....

"evacuate!"

DM51 said:

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

Click to expand...

My goodness. We have a dog. How can the canine nose be that sensitive but he can't smell THAT!!.

i one had some cheap beer and a cheap curry and set of a hydrogen suphide alarm at work when i farted...

back to the point..if batteries give of explosive gases then dose that make my maglite a pipe bomb :candle:


just a thought