Removing o-rings as an out-gassing safety margin, good idea or not?

Dr. Tweedbucket · Oct 30, 2015

I don't know how much or often any one type of battery vents, but would removing the o-ring make it any safer in case of that kind of event? I was thinking of doing this since I don't plan of dropping my light in a 2 meter deep bucket of water for 30 minutes anytime soon.

I'm more concerned about the 18650 or primary lithium than the NiMh batteries or Alkalines.

Phlogiston · Oct 30, 2015

If you have a major failure, the cell is likely to vent so rapidly that the gases won't have time to escape past the threads before the flashlight bursts open. Personally, I leave the o-rings where they are, use protected cells and practice safe procedures (like checking them with a voltmeter from time to time).

idleprocess · Oct 31, 2015

Short of a design that was basically a battery cage with water/dust resistance being the function of relatively loose O-rings between the ends of the cell and the contact (ala the gatlight), you're adding theoretical safety margin against a low-probability event at the cost of safety margin against a high-probability event (moisture/dust intrusion).

Dr. Tweedbucket · Oct 31, 2015

Good points. However, I'm thinking the more probable dust and moisture is basically a non event while any fire or explosion at all is an event I don't want to deal with. I know it's highly unlikely especially running single batteries (no reverse charging or mis match possibility). I thought it may be an extra layer of safety, that's all.

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

TinderBox (UK) · Oct 31, 2015

Will not using an Protected cell virtually eliminate this problem, if you light is compatible with LiFePO better again.

offtopic : I have a couple of 3xC flashlights they have zoom able focus, when i zoom out fully, the tail switch locks completely due to the suction and it take around 30 seconds to release, so i now turn the light on and them zoom out.

John.

Dr. Tweedbucket · Oct 31, 2015

TinderBox (UK) said:
Will not using an Protected cell virtually eliminate this problem, if you light is compatible with LiFePO better again.

offtopic : I have a couple of 3xC flashlights they have zoom able focus, when i zoom out fully, the tail switch locks completely due to the suction and it take around 30 seconds to release, so i now turn the light on and them zoom out.

John.

Sure a protected cell is the way to go as long as it's not some counterfeit protected cell that is unprotected. Some of the counterfeit batteries are looking pretty authentic.

Removing o-rings as an out-gassing safety margin, good idea or not?

Dr. Tweedbucket

Enlightened

Phlogiston

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idleprocess

Flashaholic

Dr. Tweedbucket

Enlightened

TinderBox (UK)

Flashlight Enthusiast

Dr. Tweedbucket

Enlightened

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