{How to} Safe storage of Li-Ion Batteries?

[CandleFranky]

Li-Ion Batteries are potentially dangerous.
Then, how to store it? A few questions -->

* Can I leave Li-Ion cells in my flashlights (and how long) or should I put them out? What, if the voltage drops below 2.8V while storing? Some days ago, we see exploded cells in a stored lantern at CandlePowerForums.

* I've read that the biggest danger in handling Li-Ion cells is while loading (!!!) and using. But what if I just store the cells anywhere outside of my flashlights. Is there a chance of spontaneous exploding? Are there such experiences?

Any ideas?

 

[MatajumotorS]

Li-Ion Batteries are potentially dangerous.
Then, how to store it? A few questions -->

* Can I leave Li-Ion cells in my flashlights (and how long) or should I put them out? What, if the voltage drops below 2.8V while storing? Some days ago, we see exploded cells in a stored lantern at CandlePowerForums.

* I've read that the biggest danger in handling Li-Ion cells is while loading (!!!) and using. But what if I just store the cells anywhere outside of my flashlights. Is there a chance of spontaneous exploding? Are there such experiences?

Any ideas?

As i have red, you have to store Li-Ion cells in cold (+2..5C) place and charged to 30% (3,6-3,7V)... than they will live longer, worst case was storing them 100% full and at high temperatures (+50...60C)

About self discharging - i think you will be able to check them once in 6 months (for example).

 

[CandleFranky]

As i have red, you have to store Li-Ion cells in cold (+2..5C) place and charged to 30% (3,6-3,7V)... than they will live longer, worst case was storing them 100% full and at high temperatures (+50...60C)

(+2..5C) is a typical refrigerator temperature. Should I really place the cells in my fridge? What's about my health?

About self discharging - i think you will be able to check them once in 6 months (for example).

How much Li-Ion self discharging in V/month can I expect?

And again the question --> Can Li-Ions while storing?

 

[DM51]

Best storage for Li-Ion cells:
· 3.9V
· Between 3°C-10°C
· Dry conditions.

Never store Li-Ion cells:
· Below 3.6V or above 4.1V
· Below 0°C or above 30°C
· Humid or wet atmosphere

 

[CandleFranky]

Best storage for Li-Ion cells

Thx, but can the explode under normal conditions (~20°C)?

 

[DM51]

No, not if you treat them properly.

 

[Stereodude]

Some days ago, we see exploded cells in a stored lantern at CandlePowerForums.

That lantern used Lithium primary batteries, not lithium-ion rechargeables. Which are you intending to ask about?

Personally, I don't see Lithium-Ion batteries as that dangerous. Look at how many laptops are out there with as many as 6-8 cells and how few battery problems there have been. Then consider that the battery problems are the result of bad cells that have been recalled. The odds seem incredibly low that a few Lithium-Ion cells stored loose are going to go boom. Like I said I don't give my cell phone or my laptops a second thought.

 

[Fallingwater]

I store them in the fridge (not freezer!) at 3.7/3.85v.

 

[cave dave]

You should not store batteries inside the lights for all battery types. This goes double for lights like that lantern that have a drain current when off. (almost all *EDIT* many multi-mode lights)

Store them in individual plastic bags or containers (matchcase, keep2go, etc) Do not store them loose with other metal objects. If they short out they may go

Then put them in a fireproof container, but make sure the terminals can't touch metal.

The refrigerator thing is just to prolong life and capacity not to reduce fire potential.

You shouldn't put a cold cell in a light until it warms up to room temp. Cold cells condense moisture onto the outside, so it would be like putting a wet cell in your light.

It is very unlikely for a cell to on its own, unless its been damaged. (dropped, crushed, shorted out, over charged, over discharged, discharged at too high a rate) However it is common practice on CPF to use a charger that can overcharge the battery and use a light that discharge at rates over the recommended rate. Almost all lights that get brighter when using RCR123 as compared to CR123s are discharging above the recommended rate.

Read this to:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=181871

 

[Stereodude]

This goes double for lights like that lantern that have a drain current when off. (almost all multi mode lights)

I'm not sure I agree with you here. I think all of my multi mode lights have a mechanical switch that is open when the light is turned off. There is no way it can still have a current drain when the circuit is open.

 

[CandleFranky]

You should not store batteries inside the lights for all battery types. This goes double for lights like that lantern that have a drain current when off. (almost all multi mode lights)

Store them in individual plastic bags or containers (matchcase, keep2go, etc) Do not store them loose with other metal objects.

Do you have a shop-link?

Almost all lights that get brighter when using RCR123 as compared to CR123s are discharging above the recommended rate.

Really? A Dereelight CL1H V3.0 DI discharges with 1.2A. Could a small unregulated light discharge more?[/QUOTE]

That lantern used Lithium primary batteries, not lithium-ion rechargeables. Which are you intending to ask about?

I would assume, that primaries are safer then rechargeables. Right?

 

[CandleFranky]

Never store Li-Ion cells: Below 3.6V or above 4.1V

But ... if I never store Li-Ion cells above 4.1V, then I have to load the cells each time directly before using. For example, if I need fresh cells tomorrow, I would load them today and store them overnight with 4.2V. Do you see a real problem/danger in this?

 

[cave dave]

I'm not sure I agree with you here. I think all of my multi mode lights have a mechanical switch that is open when the light is turned off. There is no way it can still have a current drain when the circuit is open.

You might be right I should of said " all my" as I was thinking about my multi mode headlamps and lanterns, not Fenix, etc lights which do turn off.

 

[cave dave]

I would assume, that primaries are safer then rechargeables. Right?

Not a safe assumption it totally depends on the quality of the manufacturer. There have been no reported protected cell explosions in a flashlight on CPF. But that might be statistically irrelevant because of the numbers of each kind of user.

I trust AW protected cells more than Chinese made ebay primary cells.

PS I don't follow most of the rules posted. :devil:

 

[Stereodude]

Really? A Dereelight CL1H V3.0 DI discharges with 1.2A. Could a small unregulated light discharge more?

It's not just the current. It's the current relative to the capacity of the battery. A 2200mAH 18650 can push over 1A all day long (well until it hits 2.7V). A 650mAH CR123A sized rechargeable shouldn't really be used to push 1A.

 

[CandleFranky]

I trust AW protected cells more than Chinese made ebay primary cells.

AW seems Chinese made too. :thinking:

PS I don't follow most of the rules posted.

Would you load your rechargeable Li-Ion cells to 4.2V and use it next day or a few days later? Where do you store such cells in the meantime? Do you put your cells out of the flashlight each time after using - in REAL life?

It's not just the current. It's the current relative to the capacity of the battery. A 2200mAH 18650 can push over 1A all day long (well until it hits 2.7V). A 650mAH CR123A sized rechargeable shouldn't really be used to push 1A.

Thank you for this information.

 

[Stereodude]

But ... if I never store Li-Ion cells above 4.1V, then I have to load the cells each time directly before using. For example, if I need fresh cells tomorrow, I would load them today and store them overnight with 4.2V. Do you see a real problem/danger in this?

Supposedly a cell at 3.9V still has about 60% capacity left. Also, I think we need to clarify what you mean by "store" them. If you have one Lithium-Ion in your light that you carry around with you and a 2nd one sitting on your desk to swap out in case the main one goes dead I don't think that's what what people here are referring to as storage.

 

[DM51]

But ... if I never store Li-Ion cells above 4.1V, then I have to load the cells each time directly before using. For example, if I need fresh cells tomorrow, I would load them today and store them overnight with 4.2V. Do you see a real problem/danger in this?

By "store", I mean put away into storage for an extended period. I do not mean day-to-day use, or even in the context of cells left unused in a flashlight for a week or more.

If you want to store Li-Ion cells for a long time, that is when it is advisable to get the temperature, voltage, humidity etc, right. Failure to do so would not necessarily be dangerous, but it would probably damage the cells.

There is no danger at all in leaving them fully charged in a flashlight for a while.

 

[CandleFranky]

There is no danger at all in leaving them fully charged in a flashlight for a while.

Thank you Stereodude & DM51 for your clarification.

My interpretation of "store" is in every aspect, long- and shorttime. But especially in day-to-day use. Because I would not buy lots of Li-Ion cells and store them without use over a long time. But I can image a seldom used Li-Ion flashlight in the car, only for the case of need. Would it be more secure to use primaries in such cases? Or NiMH-Batteries instead of Li-Ion?

A question about Li-Ions from AW: In which aspect of security do they differ from cheap chinese cells? They are mechanically protected against exploding or catching fire too?

Sorry for so much questions, but I am starting with Li-Ions for flashlights. I don't want too make mistakes and burn the house. :duh2:

 

[cave dave]

AW seems Chinese made too. :thinking:

It's not about the "China". Let's not make this a China thread, there are plenty of those. You can get any quality you are willing to pay for from China. However many companies don't want to pay for quality, China is more than willing to fulfill this need.