Battery exploding stories

[womble]

Sept 25, 2013 9:53:01 GMT Blownupdolly said:

So in effect it is a waste of time looking for a CE mark? We have two chargers both have the mark. One was bought from Jason ages ago and one from FT but I couldn't tell you which was which as they look the same.

That's my considered opinion. I think it's more important where you buy it from, obviously everyone has bad luck with their suppliers, but the better shops in the UK try very hard to get good stuff.

I'll totally admit it is a minefield, even the decent name chargers are made in China, but hopefully with much better quality control than the knock off jobbies.

[Blownupdolly]

Sept 25, 2013 10:06:25 GMT womble said:

Sept 25, 2013 9:53:01 GMT Blownupdolly said:

So in effect it is a waste of time looking for a CE mark? We have two chargers both have the mark. One was bought from Jason ages ago and one from FT but I couldn't tell you which was which as they look the same.

That's my considered opinion. I think it's more important where you buy it from, obviously everyone has bad luck with their suppliers, but the better shops in the UK try very hard to get good stuff.

I'll totally admit it is a minefield, even the decent name chargers are made in China, but hopefully with much better quality control than the knock off jobbies.

Yes, that's why I was so shocked at this happening to us as I bought it from a vendor I know has a reputation for selling genuine stuff. Admittedly it was an ego style battery. I am about to contact them this afternoon as I am sure it will be a shock to the too! I couldn't contact them last week as they were on holiday.

[Brambles]

www.electronicsweekly.com/certification-and-test/general/which-ce-badge-have-you-got-2011-02/ tells you about the two different CE marks.

Take a look, you will see how the proper CE mark had has the two characters drawn in a circle which just intersects the other.
The China Export CE mark which is meaningless when it comes to safety has the two circles over lapping. You will also see on a proper CE mark the E has a slightly shorter bar in the center.

Now look at your CE marks in your equipment and you may find most are China Export marks.

Jason has kindly posted good information and mention using charger with a CE (genuine mark). Jason is obviously aware of the 'fake' china expert mark but I bet most of you are not -- until now that is because you have all diligently read the site I have linked to above.

I have a Joyetech Ego C kit branded Totally Wicked in front of me. The small USB charger has the proper CE mark. The mains plugin USB supply has the China Export mark. How confusing is that.

[Brambles]

another link about the CE marks...
www.ybw.com/expert-advice/vhf/news/509220/warning-don-t-get-confused-between-the-ce-mark-and-the-china-export-mark

No apologies for not embedding in a shorter link like this, I like people to see clearly the websites they are linking to.

[Blownupdolly]

It is all such a minefield isn't it?

[andy01424]

Think main answer to all this is A cost B reliability ,but on other hand how many of us have original or fake,how many on both sides have failed in one way or another,if there was a mass safety fail on these then they would be pulled not even allowed in to any vendor by customs,i mean you could ask who supplied the lithium batts/charging system for the dream liner yet they were deemed safe
Basic loads of stuff could go vroosh in flames cheaply made ie your lcd tv.nothing electrical is 100% safe,but even mister fake Ego/Charger has to be aware that if his product goes bang pop up in flames he will go bust very quick,so all this worry mongering is not going to change anything..if you feel that unsafe dont buy it,now go check your mobile chargers,oh and how many mobiles ignited and uhmmm story a few yrs back on laptop batts igniting

[neptune]

There are additional safety precautions that can be taken when charging batteries. I read somewhere that flame proof bags are available to contain batteries during charge, does anyone know where? Another idea would be to place the battery in a tin can, thus preventing it from setting fire to worktops etc. Ideally, you need a can with a push on lid, with vent holes punched in it to allow gasses to escape. During sudden gas venting, a battery can act like a small rocket for a few seconds. So place something heavy on top of the tin lid. Hopefully this will contain any battery explosion, and render it a non event.

[Brambles]

neptune , do do a google search for lipo bag, or lipo sack.
A lot of vendors also sell them.

[Deleted]

Those of you who have made disparaging remarks about Chinese products and bogus CE markings should remember that China is the manufacturing engine of the whole world and that a high proportion of every thing you buy from a UK vendor will have originated there or at least a high proportion of the components in the article .... so don't take it as a given that a UK product is any safer than one from elsewhere.

[dave]

Just to add another point that is worth checking. Make sure that anything with a mains plug on it has the correct type of BSI standard plug with the right type of fuse in it. You can see examples of what is not acceptable and a guide to what is here:

www.bs1363.org.uk/

The first charger I bought (a long time ago!) had a counterfeit plug on it. Safe "figure of eight" leads, which most of them use, are easy to get as they are standard for most TV's and many other similar things.

Also be careful about using plug adaptors for things with European or US plugs on them - travel adaptors are not really suitable for continual use. You can get properly certified plug converters here:

stores.ebay.co.uk/Energenie4u/Converter-Plugs-/_i.html?_fsub=391343012&_sid=692805602&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

[gordy180]

at the end of the day you can take all the precautions you like but with any electrical item plugged into a wall socket there are risks. The amout of cases of exploding batteries is very small compared to the amout of users. Enjoy your vaping and don't worry about it

[Saferciggie]

Dress it up how you like or ignore it and pretend its all user error!! Batteries are the big thorn in e cigs side plain and simple. A short time ago the only e cig you saw available were the cigalike, now ego ce4 blister kits are popping up everywhere. You should see some of the stupidly low prices I get sent from suppliers for blister pack e cigs, I would not touch these things with a bargepole but many are and making a mint on them, ive seen some on a market for £39 for 1 and people going nuts over them!!! Its a bloody ticking time bomb. I for one am considering giving all kits with charge bags as standard as although I recommend them at present most do not bother but then if these things are safe why should they? Having a venting battery is not to be ignored as its very frightening indeed! As for it being only cheap batteries there are plenty of stories of venting brand name batteries. How do we know which battery to get and where from to be certain of no problems then please tell as I would love to know. All my kits and I don't sell that many come with a full guide of what to do and do not do, what information would you get from a market stall or even local garage where I have seen these blister packs. All very worrying whether we like it or not.

[barrynorton]

Sept 25, 2013 13:04:09 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

Those of you who have made disparaging remarks about Chinese products and bogus CE markings should remember that China is the manufacturing engine of the whole world

This is true. But they're willing to make things to the high standards that Europe has established or make crap, as money dictates. When you import stuff in small batches, rather than commission it, you take your chances.

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2013 17:31:45 GMT barrynorton said:

Sept 25, 2013 13:04:09 GMT @freefromsmoking said:

Those of you who have made disparaging remarks about Chinese products and bogus CE markings should remember that China is the manufacturing engine of the whole world

This is true. But they're willing to make things to the high standards that Europe has established or make crap, as money dictates. When you import stuff in small batches, rather than commission it, you take your chances.

Hence their success ...  give the customer what he wants but at a lower price than your competitors and let the customer decide the level of quality he is prepared to pay for. There will always be those folk who will go for the lowest price irrespective of quality and/or safety issues which is why cowboy builders are always busy! 

[Griff]

Sept 25, 2013 12:09:00 GMT neptune said:

There are additional safety precautions that can be taken when charging batteries. I read somewhere that flame proof bags are available to contain batteries during charge, does anyone know where? Another idea would be to place the battery in a tin can, thus preventing it from setting fire to worktops etc. Ideally, you need a can with a push on lid, with vent holes punched in it to allow gasses to escape. During sudden gas venting, a battery can act like a small rocket for a few seconds. So place something heavy on top of the tin lid. Hopefully this will contain any battery explosion, and render it a non event.

You can the Battery Charging Bag here, here, here. There are many other suppliers via google.

Griff