Lithium Battery Safety

[hamhanded]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knows whether any special handling is required for lithium batteries (aside from resisting the urge to puncture them and toss them in a bucket of water).

When I read stories like these I start to think about the safety of these things (I keep a box of partially dead 123A's). The battery involved in that story was much larger, but I don't fancy the idea of my 123A box becoming a fireworks display.

Thanks in advance, and may your bulbs be bright and your batteries non-explosive /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Doug S]

[ QUOTE ]
magstreamfire said:
Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knows whether any special handling is required for lithium batteries (aside from resisting the urge to puncture them and toss them in a bucket of water).



[/ QUOTE ]
Resist the urge to wrap them in steel wool /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
That was an interesting link that you provided. Unfortunately, it never says what type of batteries are involved. "Lithium" isn't very descriptive as there are over a dozen different lithium battery chemistries.

 

[koala]

I know lithium is reactive with water. If they are the same stuff in the battery then it's dangerous.

 

[Techmedic]

Magstreamfire,

An interesting link indeed. As an inactive paramedic and an electronics tech, understand that a defib is nothing more than a glorified high-voltage discharge unit. Defibs deliver about 1000VDC in a pulse of about 50micro seconds. That kind of voltage taking an incorrect path would blow the S&*T out of anything. (we call that unit in the link a "doc-in-a-box")Perhaps the defib had an internal short in the final discharge capacitor that caused the current to be dramatically increased. Anyway, portable power sources if they are nicad, NiMH, lead acid, or lithium all deserve respect.

Lithium batteries are used in high-power lights because their internal resistance is much lower allowing a larger current to be taken from them. (compared to alkaline's) This high current ability is also shared with nicad's and nickel-metal hydride.

Keep all batteries away from anything conductive, and always store them properly to prevent them from discharging. You have nothing to worry about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif

A little awareness about what can happen is a good thing to keep us battery-hoarding flashaholics on the lookout for unsafe conditions! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[hamhanded]

Great info. Many thanks to everyone who replied!