Lithium Blast Disk

[shiboleth]

Read about battery explosions here on CPF, and having a aversion to major reconstructive surgery, i went ahead and installed a blast disk in my TR1200. Sure it might never happen, but one in a thousand chance is still too high no?

Heres how i went:

1, Bore a pilot hole through battery compartment,
2, reem for swarf
3, tightly wrap in Cloth tape.

Hardly noticeable, and water repellent for several hours of use in the rain we had last night.

yay, first mod.


http://i47.tinypic.com/eprxmx.jpg

 

[waddup]

your thinking is,

any pressure from faulty battery can now escape through hole instead of causing possible explosion?

 

[Sgt. LED]

Well usually the boot blows off and the lens goes which relieves the pressure before the body bursts but nothing like going the extra mile right!

Now you know for sure you are safe. Enjoy the not exploding light.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

That's one less fireworks display for the 4th of July. At least you'll be safe though.

 

[jorn]

So, IF the battery explodes, the pressure will take the path of least resistance and maby cut off your fingers?

 

[John_Galt]

Um, you do realize what an unlikely occurrence these types of events are, right? For the millions of primary lithium batteries there are, and the millions of lithium-ion batteries there are, there have been what, a few dozen reported on this site? A few thousand worldwide? (Referencing the laptop batteries from a few years ago, where there were a few notable incidents, and the rest were averted..)

These stories are meant as cautionary tales only. They are meant to reinforce our understanding that Li-ion can be dangerous, mostly when handled improperly. There are many steps that can be taken to minimize individual risk, leaving your chances of an incident practically nil.

You're allowing yourself to be scared witless, when a few preventative maintenance tips and some common sense would be much cheaper and easier. But if you want to be scared, go right ahead.

 

[TORCH_BOY]

With such a tiny hole, it might take of like a rocket

 

[shiboleth]

The chances of the chances seem to vary as much as the risk factor of Lion batteries, this isn't really why i drilled some holes in it though.

After an hours use, i opened up the TR1200 and heard a hiss like out of a beer bottle. Suggesting there is some gas that needs to get out, maybe?

Very small effort to prevent it hurting a family member or friend.:duh2:



PS. Water can boil and lithium can plate/deplate at odd pressures.

 

[John_Galt]

The chances of the chances seem to vary as much as the risk factor of Lion batteries, this isn't really why i drilled some holes in it though.

After an hours use, i opened up the TR1200 and heard a hiss like out of a beer bottle. Suggesting there is some gas that needs to get out, maybe?

Very small effort to prevent it hurting a family member or friend.:duh2:



PS. Water can boil and lithium can plate/deplate at odd pressures.

That can happen with any type of cell. Ni-MH have been reported to have a venting episode in flashlights, but in most cases, it's only enough pressure to puff up the switch boot, or blow it off. It's happened to me before.

My point is that it's something to be aware of, not scared of.

 

[Jash]

My point is that it's something to be aware of, not scared of.

Ditto.

When you fill up your fuel (gas) tank, you are loading up enough unstable energy to level a building.

You then proceed to drive around completely unaware that you are sitting on a bomb.

!!! KA-BOOM !!!

Perhaps that should be Car-Boom!!!

 

[bansuri]

That can happen with any type of cell. Ni-MH have been reported to have a venting episode in flashlights, but in most cases, it's only enough pressure to puff up the switch boot, or blow it off. It's happened to me before.

My point is that it's something to be aware of, not scared of.

John, you're the only one who's used the word scared.
If you re-read the OP you'll see that he is doing exactly what you say, being aware of something and taking a small step to minimize the risk.

I'd rather not have to replace the glass or button if pressure can find another path out of the light.
Good idea shiboleth, but I'd ditch the duct tape and just fill the hole with wax or something that will pop out easily.

 

[march.brown]

John, you're the only one who's used the word scared.
If you re-read the OP you'll see that he is doing exactly what you say, being aware of something and taking a small step to minimize the risk.

I'd rather not have to replace the glass or button if pressure can find another path out of the light.
Good idea shiboleth, but I'd ditch the duct tape and just fill the hole with wax or something that will pop out easily.

I would also drill a small hole in the torch body or tailcap (if you are that worried) and fill with something like beeswax ... Ideally drill the hole at an angle so that it doesn't point straight at your hand or face ... This would really only help with a slowly increasing pressure as with a battery slowly venting ... The wax plug would blow out when the pressure was high enough.

Unfortunately in the case of a lithium cell exploding , the hole would direct superheated lithium (possibly) into your hand or worse still into your eyes.

Ideally then , if you are going to drill the torch then choose a forward facing hole position as a rear one would at best set your clothes on fire ... At worst , just hope you are wearing glasses.

The majority of these problems can be avoided if you are careful when discharging your batteries in the torch , more particularly if you are using multi-cell Li-Ions ... Multiple lithium primaries should only be used with carefully matched cells.

I must admit that I tend to loosen and re-tighten the endcaps on my torches regularly and listen for the hiss just in case ... I also look for the bulging switch boot and when using the torches , I always feel for increased heat at the head or body of the torch.

The chances of an explosion are very remote , but they still very occasionally happen ... Just be aware that they do ... NiMh cells are not exempt from venting ... In a twisty AA or AAA torch there is no bulging switch boot to look for.
.

 

[Quension]

When you fill up your fuel (gas) tank, you are loading up enough unstable energy to level a building.

Unlike most common lithium-based battery chemistries, puncturing or denting the side of a gasoline tank doesn't make it likely to rapidly vent with flame. Drawing fuel from it doesn't make it heat up or require relief of excess pressure. Overfilling it doesn't ignite it.

In the right set of conditions, it might burn, but it won't explode.

Compared to the typical lithium battery, a gasoline tank is remarkably stable.

 

[Jash]

In the right set of conditions, it might burn, but it won't explode.

I think this qualifies as an explosion. Followed by burning.

 

[shiboleth]

..I'd ditch the duct tape and just fill the hole with wax or something that will pop out easily.

Thanks Bansuri, Will replace the cloth tape with silicon or grout.

 

[kramer5150]

The Lambdalights have a small round adhesive disk on the MAG tailcap. It covers a small hole, and simply pops off with excess pressure. Simple, effective solution.

 

[mcnair55]

Thanks Bansuri, Will replace the cloth tape with silicon or grout.

Take care with which sealant you use,some of the modern ones will be stronger than the actual body of your light.