PICS ADDED ..10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

[Streamer]

I just started charging a couple of 10440 batts that I use in the Fenix LOD CE. Had to really PULL hard when removing from charger as these things are expanding in length slightly when charged! After charging, the negative terminal is indented on the bottom and the edges are very slightly ovaled. No battery metal is broken, but is this normal and or SAFE to continue to do? They appear to work just fine though, even though this doesn't seem right. Is the metal battery casing just too soft / weak? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[warlord]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

Did you actually measure the growth? If it was reallly warm it could have expanded because of the heat but that would certainly make me a bit nervous...

 

[ampdude]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

I think lithium ion cells expand when the voltage is too high. Better check the voltage on them. Maybe they're getting overcharged.

 

[Illum]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

considering 10440's aren't protected we can't overrule that overcharging isn't an issue.

heres some info regarding nanocharger issues with 10440s
apparently their performance vary from unit to unit
anyone who owns a nano 10440 single bay charger

 

[Citivolus]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

Any growth of a Lithium-ion or Lithium-polymer cell would prompt me to want to be far, far away from it. I would not use or recharge cells that show signs of having had an overpressure or over voltage condition, unless you want to experience "vent with flame".

Regards,
Eric

 

[Fallingwater]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

Throw out the ovaled cells NOW, and toss the charger along with them while you're at it.
Get a better charger and, if you can, protected cells.

 

[ZuluWhiskeyFox]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

Ya, I'd be nervous about those cells and charger. Only guessing here but check the batteries for voltage over 4.2. Li-Ion's can be very nasty when they are mistreated. Overcharging above 4.2 is generally considered mistreating. If in fact this is the case the best place for those batteries is somewhere other than in your house or on your person. If they are being overcharged it would seem that you have a faulty charger. On that note you didn't mention what type of charger you are using.

zwf

 

[Streamer]

Re: 10440 batteries GROW in NanoCharger WTF?

Thanks for the replies. As you can see, the battery is shown sitting in the Nano charger. I had to force it out to get it out. I got it from a vendor on this forum. I'll add that I charged this battery ONCE before and did not notice this "expanding". Incidentally, the expansion only effected the negative bottom side of battery. It came off the charger at 4.17 volts. I did leave it on for about 12 hours OUTSIDE on back porch as I always do just for safetys sake when charging these types of batteries. Guess, I'll toss this battery. I have three more batteries, all NEW and never used... one is another Ultrafire as pictured and two of the others came with the charger from forum vendor. Should I bury this battery or what is best procedure to dispose of it? ETA. Just measured the Nano Charger voltage... 4.27 volts at its terminals.

 

[Illum]

you don't need the 4.27V to know that cell is toast!

from the rear of the cell, it looks like the cells about to pop out of its sleeve!

 

[Streamer]

you don't need the 4.27V to know that cell is toast!

from the rear of the cell, it looks like the cells about to pop out of its sleeve!

I know the cell is toast and I've put it outside for the time being and will bury it in the morning. I meant to say that my single bay charger is currently registering 4.27 volts at its terminals without a battery in it of course. The charger has printed on it 4.2 volts and 200mah.

 

[Mr Happy]

I don't think you can learn anything from the voltage on the charger terminals with no battery in it. When it's not charging a battery that voltage could reasonably float to any value.

 

[Fallingwater]

Yes, but the problem is that once the charger drops CC and goes to CV the current draw drops; at the end of the charge the cell only draws a few milliamps, and at that low a draw it's possible that the nano charger goes back to its full 4.27V voltage.

For the future, you should buy Trustfire cells instead of Ultrafires. Apparently you get better quality at the same price.

 

[Illum]

For the future, you should buy Trustfire cells instead of Ultrafires.

trustfire has protected 10440s?

whether its mightfire or couldfire I'm hoping sometime in the future AW can create a protected 10440, capacity be damned.
with all these flashfire and gasfire cells floating around I'm just plain worried

 

[Fallingwater]

Huh, I didn't think of that little issue.

I don't think DX or Kai have any protected 10440s, but didn't AW already come out with one? Or am I dreaming?

 

[DM51]

No-one has yet produced a protection circuit small enough to fit on a 10mm dia. cell.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Streamer, thanks for the great closeup pictures. Fortunately, you missed out on the explosion and 1,000°F flames. There is a take home message your example again provides everyone....and it continues to underscore how many people are taking risks with Lithium Cobalt cells that still do not realize the dangers....even after all the warnings.

 

[Streamer]

Yes, this whole episode has really opened my eyes to the horrible possibilities. After sitting down and recalling what actually transpired, I have to admit that I left the battery on charge in excess of EIGHTEEN HOURS. Yes, I put it on charge one afternoon around 3PM and remembered it the following morning around 9AM. And yes, I had it charging OUTSIDE in a safe area away from the house because I have read on this forum to be CAREFUL with this type of battery and recharging procedure of a non protected lithium. I hope everyone that reads this thread realizes what can go wrong when playing around with batteries and chargers. I was lucky... PLEASE STAY SAFE !