Is it Safe to Order Li Ions in Winter?

recDNA · Jan 30, 2010

It was 4 degrees F here last night. I've heard Li Ion batteries can be damaged by cold. If I order at this time of year and the batteries sit out in a P.O. truck overnight on the way here might they be ruined?

Are IMR batteries any more resistant to the cold?

Unrelated but it IS my thread - Using the WF-139 charger about how long will it take to charge IMR123 or IMR18650. I know they are susceptible to overcharging due to lower resistance so I thought I'd use a timer. Better to undercharge a little than ruin them. I'm not interested in a more expensive charger.

SilverFox · Jan 30, 2010

Hello recDNA,

There shouldn't be any problems with the cells, but some have reported issues with the protection circuits.

The main rule is to never charge a Li-Ion cell at frigid temperatures.

The best solution for charging is to find a charger that properly follows the CC/CV algorithm for Li-Ion charging. Another solution is to add some resistance to the charging circuit. A piece of tin foil would probably do the job.

Tom

recDNA · Jan 30, 2010

SilverFox said:
Hello recDNA,

There shouldn't be any problems with the cells, but some have reported issues with the protection circuits.

The main rule is to never charge a Li-Ion cell at frigid temperatures.

The best solution for charging is to find a charger that properly follows the CC/CV algorithm for Li-Ion charging. Another solution is to add some resistance to the charging circuit. A piece of tin foil would probably do the job.

Tom

Since I'm paying double for quality cells with the best protection circuitry permanent damage to the protection would make winter purchase unsafe for me.

If I understand you correctly exposure to very cold temps during transport can permanently disable protection circuitry? I don't intend to use or charge the batteries until they reach room temp but I don't want to risk running unprotected cells that I think ARE protected.

mudman cj · Jan 30, 2010

I had a problem last winter when one of my AW cells developed a leak during shipment. I attributed it to the extreme cold (it was in the single digits at the time for the high), but can't be certain that it wasn't due to an impact or crushing. There were no signs of any blunt trauma to the cell or damage to the packaging and two other cells shipped along with it were fine after cleaning the electrolyte off of them.

I would say that you are taking an added risk of damage, but it is certainly difficult to quantify it.

recDNA · Jan 30, 2010

Obviousy, you can't just throw the leaky battery in the trash. What do you do with it?

I'm sure it would be illegal to send it back to the retailer so a refund is unlikely?

mudman cj · Jan 31, 2010

AW provides excellent customer service, and will typically replace batteries that are defective. I seem to recall that he offered to replace it, but don't quote me on it.

Copied from this source:
"Lithium Ion batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste and are safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream," says Kate Krebs at the National Recycling Coalition. While other types of batteries include toxic metals such as cadmium, the metals in lithium ion batteries - cobalt, copper, nickel and iron - are considered safe for landfills or incinerators (Interestingly enough, lithium ion batteries contain an ionic form of lithium but no lithium metal).

So, I did dispose of mine in the trash, but I take care to reduce the potential for a violent reaction by always checking to be sure they are fully discharged prior to disposal.