Weird smell coming from lithiums

[Mags]

I recently recieved my first lithium powered light (a Micra and thank you Mr Keith and Mr Wayne!!) and it seems that there is a weird smell coming from them. It doesnt stink, but it sort of concerns me. I heard about a guy's flashlight exploding because of hydrogen or something buildup inside the body. Now for a moment I though that it was the brand, but I currently have 3 different types of lithium batteries and they all give this smell after being used in the light. My only guess is that there is lubricating oil on the O-ring of the light. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[batterystation]

Lithium batteries when contained for periods of time in cases or lights have an ether type smell. Not sure how exactly to describe it, but it is normal. When I open cases of any brand of lithium battery whether they be AA, C, D or CR123, etc. they all have that smell.

 

[PaulW]

Lithium cells have an unusual odor all on their own. You can put a bunch in a plastic bag, wait a few hours, and then smell it. If it's that odor, there's nothing to worry about. In fact, some of us have a strong affection for that smell. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Paul

 

[andrewwynn]

i like the smell, but i have noticed it's obvious if you accidentally short out a battery... get a very strong wiff of the odor after shorting out one of my AAAs when doing testing.

-awr

 

[Kiessling]

someone on CPF wanted to make some special perfumes out of this smell ...

"Love Potion 123"
"Eau de Tactical Light"

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bernhard

 

[AtomSphere]

[ QUOTE ]
Kiessling said:
someone on CPF wanted to make some special perfumes out of this smell ...

"Love Potion 123"
"Eau de Tactical Light"

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bernhard

[/ QUOTE ]

perfume after it? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif got to b mad! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[PhotonWrangler]

[ QUOTE ]
Kiessling said:
someone on CPF wanted to make some special perfumes out of this smell ...

"Love Potion 123"
"Eau de Tactical Light"

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
bernhard

[/ QUOTE ]

How about "Obsession!" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/santa.gif

 

[The_LED_Museum]

All primary lithium cells will emit an unusual odour; depending on the individual, the gas will have a chemical smell to it, or it could have the odour of rotten honey, like that vapour creature on the Star Trek: TOS episode "Obsession".

There's a thread on CPF that describes this chemical more accurately, but I don't know where it is right at this moment.
I think the chemical itself is lithium hexaflouroethane nitrate but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

I think the odor is Flashahol... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[TORCH_BOY]

They smell like the fuel I use for my model airplane

 

[cannon50]

I think it is dimethoxy ether. I just checked a MSDS for 123A cells and this seems to be the organic solvent of highest concentration.

 

[jayflash]

Hey cannon50, that must be why they smell like ether to me.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

It has a faint fruity-metallic odor. It's vaguely reminiscent of that "new electronics" smell that wafts out when you first open the package of a transistor radio. Probably a combination of outgassing from the plastics and the solvent used in cleaning the pcb.

 

[Hookd_On_Photons]

[ QUOTE ]
PhotonWrangler said:
I think the odor is Flashahol... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowlaugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/clap.gif

Mmmmm... sweet, sweet Flashahol... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drunk.gif