Storing batteries and explosive gases

[cy]

Storing batteries and explosive gases

have always noticed funny smells from batteries stored in plastic containers.

so poked my Bacharach Combustible Gas detector into a few of my many battery storage containers.

first container had a mix of NMH, alk and li-ion thrown together recently from my desktop. negative results..

second was a Pelican Case full of Battery Station CR123.... that passed

third was a tub full of NHM cells which had not been touched for sometime.... that passed too

forth was a tub of Li-ion cells stored for several months... alarms went off... tub was full of explosive gases....

evidently gases has to accumulate for a bit to set detector off.
have not tried lighting up gases :green:

 

[matrixshaman]

Good info to know cy. I guess some might be in danger popping the lid on a tub of these under the wrong circumstances.

 

[glockboy]

My came from the CR123, the recharge li-on don't have any smell.

 

[zipplet]

I have the same experience.. CR123As (and infact even lithium coin cells stored in quantity) seem to produce some kind of gas when stored. I have not noticed any smell from rechargeable Li-ions however.

Thanks for the test.

 

[cy]

seems gases takes a bit to accumulate enough for combustible gas meter to pickup. also the tub that set meter off had a fairly large assortment of li-ion cells (24 cells) from world's first R123 to bare 18650 to protected 18650 to a wolf eyes (pila) cell...

 

[LuxLuthor]

cy, I'm wondering what you think this model is detecting? Looking at their link, it detects:

Acetone, Acetylene, Benzene, Butane, Ethanol, Ethylene Oxide, Gasoline, Hexane, Hydrogen, Industrial Solvents, Iso-Butane, Methane, Methanol, Paint Thinners, Propane, Natural Gas, and Naptha.
​

 

[cy]

no clue on which gas... but I suspect hydrogen

 

[zipplet]

Am I right in saying a good way to solve things for the paranoid would be to punch a small hole (3mm or so) in the box somewhere? Obviously for indoor/non waterproof storage.

 

[LuxLuthor]

no clue on which gas... but I suspect hydrogen

I just have a hard time accepting that batteries at rest like these are putting out detectable level of explosive gases, given their uses/applications. I'm not saying they're not, but the question of false positive detection may be another explanation.

 

[cy]

don't know what it is.. but Bacharach Combustible Meters are the standard of the industry. some type of combustible gas is being emitted.

got two positive responses within 2-3 minutes... will try it again soon. of course false positive are always a possibility.

I just have a hard time accepting that batteries at rest like these are putting out detectable level of explosive gases, given their uses/applications. I'm not saying they're not, but the question of false positive detection may be another explanation.

 

[DM51]

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

 

[mdocod]

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

Depends on the dog.... but for one of ours....

"evacuate!"

 

[JimmyM]

What does the meter say if you put it near the rear end of a dog?

My goodness. We have a dog. How can the canine nose be that sensitive but he can't smell THAT!!.

 

[petersmith6]

i one had some cheap beer and a cheap curry and set of a hydrogen suphide alarm at work when i farted...

back to the point..if batteries give of explosive gases then dose that make my maglite a pipe bomb :candle:


just a thought