Why you should never batteries charging

[kibbster]

Feb 8, 2013 7:40:06 GMT phoenix said:

kibbster, what yard stick do you use for buying 'decent chargers', Price, brand or supplier?
I cannot see that any of those things will guarantee a 'decent' charger, especially as most of us are totally ignorant about such things and rely on our supplier to ensure that what they are selling is a 'decent safe charger.

Something that has built in protection and cut off and doesn't look like it was knocked up in a china sweat shop for 20p.
Not very scientific but it's the best I could do lol 

As has been said no battery or charger is ever 100% safe but I've got to do the best I can to avoid obvious cheap chargers and batteries.

[GunJack]

looking at that original pic of the charger, that'll be a tiny MosFET chip that's just given up. They're used as a regulating device for voltage or current depending on the circuit design. What looks like has happened there is fairly typical of the chip itself breaking down, and this can happen with ANY electronic component, even MIL-spec ones....I personally wouldn't get too hung up about it, it's the sort of thing that's been happening with electronics since they were invented, and will keep doing so. About the only aspect that's changed over the last 40 years is the frequency at which they pop, i.e. not as often these days as they used to Try the battery on a different charger, chances are it's fine, just watch for it heating up excessively and turn off if it does...

[genguskhan]

I always use a RCD Safety Adaptor on things I'm charging. I tend not to use my pc if I can help it as something goes wrong I'm not risking my motherboard. Might seam OTT but I've had a few batteries blow in my time, through bad cells and chargers that have had enough.

[deesigner]

Please be assured that I didn't post this to scare anyone. I posted it immediately after it had occurred as I thought it wise to serve as a reminder that batteries and chargers are unpredictable. I'd put this on charge in the lounge, had I have left it there it would have had a myriad of combustible items around it. In future I will charge them in the kitchen where in the very unlikely event there is a problem the damage will be very limited. Also I will turn them off when I'm not close by to keep an eye on things.

I've gone out many a time leaving batteries charging, I've charged them overnight while I've been sleeping. This has served as a warning to me as much as to anyone else, I'll take a great deal more care in future

[deesigner]

Feb 8, 2013 8:42:34 GMT GunJack said:

looking at that original pic of the charger, that'll be a tiny MosFET chip that's just given up. They're used as a regulating device for voltage or current depending on the circuit design. What looks like has happened there is fairly typical of the chip itself breaking down, and this can happen with ANY electronic component, even MIL-spec ones....I personally wouldn't get too hung up about it, it's the sort of thing that's been happening with electronics since they were invented, and will keep doing so. About the only aspect that's changed over the last 40 years is the frequency at which they pop, i.e. not as often these days as they used to Try the battery on a different charger, chances are it's fine, just watch for it heating up excessively and turn off if it does...

The battery's fine as you say. I've since charged and used it.

I wasn't worried about the battery, it's the damage that could have occurred, the fact that the outer plastic was melting was what had me concerned. I didn't leave it to see how far it would go so I suppose it could have just stopped melting on its own, I didn't want to risk it. The smell is what alerted me to the problem in the first instance or I wouldn't have been aware there was an issue.

[Cammy]

Woah, that was a lucky escape. Mine is on charge upstair just now and ive just been out with the dog too - better go and check it...I'm guilty of charging mine by the bed overnight - think I'll start doing it under my desk at work now.

[Deleted]

If you're all worried about battery charging and want to mitigate risk you should consider buying something like this ... bit large for ego batteries but good for mods

www.ecigwizard.com/accessories/batteries-chargers/li-po-safe-charging-bag.html

avail on ebay too !

[Bluefish]

Feb 7, 2013 20:54:59 GMT Bluefish said:

Feb 7, 2013 18:02:43 GMT addict said:

Which is safer: ego batteries or a mod with separate batteries and good battery charger?

I'd say neither, both can go wrong

I'm changeing my mind on this and gonna say that mod batteries charged in a charger are a safer option than the usb type of charger. there does seem to be a few cases of these going wrong, but from my own experiance both types have been 100% reliable, so far.

[apostle51]

Ive had the exactly the same thing happen not so long ago with my usb ego charger, looks like the same component too. I didnt notice mine until i noticed the charger was off ( no led) and went to investigate. I guess it just burnt out and died before it got to hot to do any real damage.
This was a charger and batts i used all the time.

[addict]

Feb 8, 2013 20:08:09 GMT Bluefish said:

Feb 7, 2013 20:54:59 GMT Bluefish said:

I'd say neither, both can go wrong

I'm changeing my mind on this and gonna say that mod batteries charged in a charger are a safer option than the usb type of charger. there does seem to be a few cases of these going wrong, but from my own experiance both types have been 100% reliable, so far.

Thank, Bluefish, for letting me know.  In the few months I have been using ecigs I have only ever used Joyetech without a problem apart from one occasion when the battery and plug felt warm.  I unplugged them for a while and there was no recurrence.  I'm not so concerned for myself because I read the forum and take note of advice and warnings.  I'm more concerned about the people I recommend to switch from smoking.  I prefer to point them down the safest path to vaping because most people don't have the time or interest to read the forums or research on the internet.  Would it be best to get a good mod, top of the range charger, AW batteries and one of those bags suggested by Ash?  I've never heard of an RCD Safety adaptor (Genguskhan's post).  Maybe I should check it out.

[Bluefish]

problem is addict, most new vapers will start with usb type chargers, so the best advice is to warn them not to leave them unatended when charging, common sence really, i know some people don't have a whole lot of that but hey ho.

[Deleted]

Feb 8, 2013 22:24:04 GMT Bluefish said:

problem is addict, most new vapers will start with usb type chargers, so the best advice is to warn them not to leave them unatended when charging, common sence really, i know some people don't have a whole lot of that but hey ho.

I agree - these things come with warnings after all. Unattended is one thing but overnight downstairs or leaving the house is not recommended IMHO.

[addict]

You're right Bluefish. Anyway, most of the smokers I know are so strapped for cash with the high cost of cigarettes that they couldn't afford mods and the stuff that goes with them. Even if they could afford it they wouldn't be inclined to splash out on yet another miracle cure for smoking until they're convinced it works. I do tell them to watch the batteries but I'm not so sure that they pay much heed to me.