Got woken up real early this morning
 

About 5am this morning I was was awoken to a very loud BANG!

I did sound like a gunshot. I came out of bed with Kimber in hand, I saw smoke at the foot of the bed. Reached for my G-2 Surefire in the nightstand, but it wasn't there.

Here is what happened:

I have a G-2 Surefire powdered by 3v lith batteries. I replaced the batts about a month ago, all worked fine. I keep it on the nightstand bezel pointed down. Well one of the batteries went off somehow, and here is the results.

All the collected pieces:

http://www.the3006cafe.org/forum/stuff/parts.JPG

Here is the blown battery that was smoking at the floor of the bedroom:

http://www.the3006cafe.org/forum/stuff/blown_batt.JPG

Here is the rug burn from the battery:

http://www.the3006cafe.org/forum/stuff/rug_burn.JPG

And here is the hole in the ceiling where the endcap hit after it was blown off:

http://www.the3006cafe.org/forum/stuff/hole_cieling.JPG

Both end's were blown off, and the force was enough that if the light had been lying down I might have received a good wallop. As it is only the carpet is ruined, and no-one was hurt.

Has anyone else ever had this happen? I have had that light for 5 years now in the same place on the nightstand and this is a first.

I have to say defective battery, as nothing else was different.

Just thought I'd let y'all know that it can happen and it was like a .45 going off in the room.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

DAMN!


:36_1_25:



.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Never had this happen.
I have several surefires for emergencies and usually keep a couple of boxes of spare
batts.

Give surefire a call - they stand behind their products - they may have an answer and you may be giving them a heads up.

Let us know what they say.

Glad it wasn't in your pocket when it happened.

ST

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

was it a li ion rechargeable battery? i have never had a battery go of like that for no reason

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Exploding lithium batteries are not unknown:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...q=f&oq=&aqi=g2

IIRC, a couple years ago some airlines were talking about banning them flights because of the explosion problem.

http://www.dailytech.com/When+Lithiu...ticle11898.htm
http://images.dailytech.com/frontpag..._fp__dell3.jpg

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

id be calling sure fire and the battery maker up real fast and let them know what happened and express your concern. A recall might be in order.

I just bought two new lith batteriers and put them in my surefire about a week ago. I also leave it sitting to the night stand right next to where my head is when I sleep.

Its not like these lights and batteries are cheap POS's that they should be exploding lol.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

What was the brand of battery?

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

You can read extensively about this at Candle Power Forums which is the webs largest Flashlight Forum!!!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/

CR123 Lithium cells have a tremendous amount of energy for their size. Cheaper manufacturers have had issues with this (rarely) but higher end brand batts such as Surefire and Panasonic rarely have an issue. I stick purely with Surefire brand.

This is normally associated with utilizing one older and one newer battery where their voltages are not similar. Always use up cells in pairs and do not mix and match.

If you look closely at the top of a cr123 cell you will see two little holes on the side of the button top. These are vents that allow hot gas to escape in the event of a "cookoff" Surefires are sealed up tight and waterproof, even the plastic G2 and pressure builds up until the weakest link, the tailcap blows off with a decent amount of force.

Consider your self luck you were not injured.

Bravo

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Randy the battery was a "Command" 3v Lithium. I have been using these in all four lights for years now.

Kroll Industries, LLC Rochester MI.
Made in China. (as all of then are)

Fine print:
CAUTION RISK OF FIRE, EXPLOSION AND BURNS. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

I would definitely look into calling the battery manufacture and reporting this incident.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

I just "yellow pages" the mfg. No record.

Going out this afternoon and buying a case of Surefires. The wife carries one in her purse.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Nope.

Quality brands are made in Japan or America.

"Made in China" lithium cells will do this. Japanese or American won't.

Glad you weren't hurt. Take this as a lesson: only top-quality brands in the future; yes, you pay more.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Please excuse my ignorance: What is a Surefire? A flashlight? And the battery exploded?

So glad you weren't injured. Close call regardless!

early this morning
 

Surefire will sell you high quality batteries, although they are a little bit more expensive, they are unlikely to detonate in your pocket, or wifes purse.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

This is probably who you're looking for:

http://www.krollinc.com/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.macraesbluebook.com/searc...company=665944

Re: early this morning
 

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Thanks Shasta. I called them and they don't want to know anything.

Their line was to contact the retailer that I purchased them from.

Well he sold his gunshop inventory and retired.

They were even a little rude.

Conclusion is that they just wrap their name around a product and then drop ship to the retailer. Not a bad gig if you don't give a shit about what happens to the end user.

High point was that instantly the wife was up with the 16g and clearing rooms like we had practiced so many times.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

:applause_ that's good stuff right there!

Glad ya'll weren't injured.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Exploding lipos are well known in the RC hobbies.
Ive seen them explode on impact like a small bomb.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

So Trousers how do we put that knowledge to good use?

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

:553: Unless you buy 3V LI primary batteries in bulk...rechargeable LI's are a cheaper long term investment.

BUT...there are protected and non protected LI rechargeables...I've had both types explode,even the protected cells are not 100% safe as I found out one day a few months ago.

I had just taken 2 (protected) type 3V rechargeables off the charger and popped them in my O-Light.
Stuck it in my front pants pocket and forgot about it.
About an hour later I was talking to a coworker when he noticed my pants were smoking...:bear_w00t:
I looked down,grabbed the O-Light out of my pocket and threw it into my bosses office where it instantly exploded under his desk like a small hand grenade.
Almost blew his shoes off...not to mention the horrible odor of swamp gas that permeated the room...he definitely needed a change of underwear in a bad way.
He lost his glasses in the confusion...well...er...maybe they were blown off...he couldn't remember much right after the explosion because my coworker was screaming call EMS at the top of his lungs making my boss think he was fatally injured,along with being deaf and blind.
Meanwhile,being uninjured,I was searching for my trusty Nikon digital camera to video the carnage for the insurance company...just as I entered the room,camera in hand,a fire broke out under his desk and my coworker proceeded to hose down the desk and my boss with a huge (20 pounder) ABC fire extinguisher that was hanging on the wall.

Nope...I'm not making this up...it happened pretty much in the order I described it.
Next thing I knew some secretary had called the fire department and EMS. The parking lot now had Bomb Squad LEO's,two fire trucks and an EMS crew with a stretcher heading into the corporate office to give medical aid to the casualties...aka...my boss.

The bomb squad bought the story of a random lightning strike from the two eyewitnesses ( my coworker and myself ) they weren't real happy about it...but,hey...we were the only eye witnesses,so what could they do ?

Anyway...it worked out well for me...I got my bosses office with a terrific view and he demanded a new office in the basement with no windows and rubber carpet.

Fast thinking on my part wouldn't you agree ?
My first gut instinct was to throw any potential hazardous flashlights or exploding devices directly into the nearest expendable supervisors office.

Remember that...next time you are faced with explosive batteries...quick thinking could save your life.

:biggrin::bear_w00t::biggrin:

BTW: My boss is now proud to be a lightening strike survivor...he brags about it to anyone who will listen.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

:36_1_34::36_1_34:

Hard to top that one RR! :36_1_32v:

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

RR, I expect you'll enjoy the BOFH

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Well one time, I had a flash light smoking in my pocket and I pulled it out and chucked it into the bathroom where my first wife was taking a shower. I slammed the door closed and held it till I heard a loud bang and the screaming stopped.

Now my second wife wont let me have a flashlight and she bars the doors with 2x4's from the inside. :tongue_ma: :tongue_ma: :tongue_ma:


I kid, I kid.

But seriously, that is one fantastical story and I would have loved to have seen it in person!

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Glad you are safe

Good info here

Are enegizer lithuims okay to use?

How about D Cell. What is recomended there?

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Is there anyway to force them to explode?

Just trying to turn a negative into a positive. Sounds like quite a handy flash bang to have around when one needs it.

Yes there is a hidden joke in that message... :4_1_72:

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

A hammer will work.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

As is typical of marketing companies that simply select the lowest bidder in Red China for actual manufacture.


Excellent! :banana:

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

This is interesting. From Pelican's web site on 3v Lith Batteries.

http://www.pelican.com/support/bulle...eryWarning.pdf

DETAILS:
� Lithium batteries can explode, leak or cause burns if not handled appropriately. Please
observe the following rules of thumb:

� Use only Panasonic�, Energizer�, Duracell�, or Sanyo� cells
� Do not mix with used or other battery types/brands
� Replace all cells at the same time
� Do not open batteries
� Do not dispose of in fire
� Do not heat above 75C (167F)
� Do not expose contents to water
� Do not recharge
� Do not install backwards

* All trademarks and logos displayed herein are registered and unregistered trademarks of Pelican Products, Inc. and others.

*Energizer is a registered trademark of Eveready Battery Company, Inc.

*Duracell is a registered trademark of the Gillette Company.

*Panasonic is a registered trademark of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.

*Sanyo is a registered trademark of Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd.

TITLE: Lithium Battery WARNING PRODUCTS AFFECTED: Pelican� M-Series Tactical Lights (2310, 2370, 2330, 2390, 3310, 3330 and 3370), PM6 3320 and PM6 3330

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Shasta, thanks for the candlepower links. My eyes are blurry...;-)

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

I always use SF batteries in my flashlight, nvg, and anything else that requires these type of batteries. Glad you weren't hurt.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Wow! I am a plumber and spend a great deal of time in crawl spaces and attics. I bought a surefire light a cpl. months ago and was less than thrilled with its durability. Lowes replaced it three times, no questions asked but, a frickin 85 dollar flashlight ought to be fairly durable in my opinion. I have bought literally hundreds of flashlights over the last 20 years and the 2 most durable are the 2 d cell mag light and a small gerber single aa that I have carried in my pocket every day for nearly 5 years at this point. The explosion thing adds a whole new level of hell no in my opinion. Glad you weren't injured. I get wet and COVERED in mud a LOT. The mag light has endured it all.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

Jeez, what model did you get. I have an L2 and would have trouble trying to destroy it, much less have it break in ordinary use. Of course its also about a $200 flashlight and that might make a difference.

You're right though, Ive got a big honking mag light thats about 1 1/2 feet long and that thing I swear you could drop from a plane and it would laugh at you.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

If it didn't happen it should have.
Great story!
:coolbeer:

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

It sounds like you need to call the ATF--Alcohol, Tobacco, and Flashlights.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

3 volt Lithium Ion cells are notoriously dangerous when used in multiple cell applications. Do not, I repeat, do not depend on them used in multiple cell configurations. They are only safe and dependable when used in applications where only one cell is used. You can minimize your risk somewhat by (1) not using more than one brand in an application. (2) matching the voltage via testing and keeping the cells within .01 volt of each other. (3) removing the cells from what ever you are using them in, when the item is not actually in use. Or ultimately (4) do not use them in multiples. I refuse to purchase lights or items that use more than one CR123 or RCR123 cell, because of the inherent danger for explosion and resultant fire.

There are plenty of LED lights available that are bright enough with enough run time from one CR123.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

I have a large mag light flashlight that I picked up in the middle of the interstate.

It had evidently fallen off of a moving vehicle and was run over by traffic. The end cap was stuck because the body of the flashlight was no longer round after being run over. I unscrewed the end cap with a pipe wrench.

Then the batteries wouldn't come out due to the mis-shapen tube. I used a hammer to beat it back to a generally round shape and was able to replace the batteries. The new batteries along with a new bulb returned the flashlight to it's original functioning condition.

I still have this flashlight. It works fine and you can still bash somebodies head in with it, if need be.

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

This is real interesting, as I use CR123 cells and Surefire lites.

I got a case of Panasonic 3V 123 cells, they are supposed to be made at the same factory Surefire cells are made at.

There have been reports of other 'cheap' 123 cells exploding, particularly older "Battery Station" cells made in China (The new ones are supposed to be made in US and are OK)

BAttery station is on Ebay BTW.

Myself, I trust Panasonic most of all.

I think the idea is that a fully discharged cell might explode or an overcharged Li-Ion.

Did your lite have a leak, slowly draining the cells maybe?

I have a Surefire 9P that takes 3x123 Panasonic cells, just for the heck of it, I drained it completely so that the cells were as dim as a cigarette lite. No explosions.

The main question I have is "Who made your cell"?

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x.../LED/M60_1.jpg

Re: Got woken up real early this morning
 

With friends like that who needs enemies?