Lithium ion batteries...?

bighatnohorse wrote:
LiPo's, used in RC flying, have a reputation for catching fire. However, the LiPo has a much denser energy package which makes it more desirable.

Lithium-ion batteries (like most rechargeable batteries) get hot when you charge or discharge them. If you charge of discharge them at a high rate, they get very hot and can catch on fire.

bighatnohorse wrote:
And technically, its a Lithium-ion polymer battery ...

Correct

bighatnohorse wrote:
... and in my opinion should not be used in cell phones or anywhere without all due cautions of it "fire-prone" nature.

They have been used successfully in cell phones for a long LONG time. If Samsung does a complete analysis of their situation, I think they will find that something is causing a high discharge (short) rate.

bighatnohorse wrote:
Regular Lithium-ion batteries have been around for a long time and are commonly found in portable power tools - not a problem.

The technology is moving so fast that I don't know if there is such a thing as a "regular" Li-Ion battery anymore accept by physical size (18650).

Lithium-Ion Ferrite LiFe produce a lower voltage (3.4V) but are nearly impossible to over charge/discharge.


The Boeing 787 debacle used 18650 cells in their battery pack. Several issues that stacked up caused all of the problems.

Johno02 wrote:
In the RC hobby, we have used lithium batteries since they were first available. Learned long ago to treat them gently. Always charged in a fire save container, don't overcharge, don't charge at high rates.

Excellent advice, but let's back up a step !

VERY GENERALLY SPEAKING, there are 2 types of Li-Ion batteries, ones that come in a little metal can similar (but different!) to a AA battery and ones that come in a small plastic/polymer "pouch".

The ones that come in the "can" are of the size 18650 (beats me where that came from), are slightly fatter and taller than a AA battery and have a typical voltage of 3.7 volts (although some can be less voltage). These are very, VERY common and that is a problem. There are dozens and dozens of "knockoffs" that have varying/questionable quality. There are a few "good" manufactures (Panasonic, Sony) but there are places labeling their inferior batteries with these labels.

The second type of battery (in the pouch) is called a LiPo. These come in all different sizes. The ones used in cell phones usually have a hard plastic outer shell. Again, quality is the issue.

In both cases, the batteries can be combined into "packs" to make any voltage your want.

I could on and on for many paragraphs. Short answer is, try to buy a brand name (no generics) from a reputable distributor.

I wonder if their batteries are really LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries. LiPo's, used in RC flying, have a reputation for catching fire. However, the LiPo has a much denser energy package which makes it more desirable.
And technically, its a Lithium-ion polymer battery - and in my opinion should not be used in cell phones or anywhere without all due cautions of it "fire-prone" nature.
Regular Lithium-ion batteries have been around for a long time and are commonly found in portable power tools - not a problem.

d3500ram wrote:
I have several cordless power tools that used LI batteries. Should I be concerned?

smkettner wrote:
No

X2

Like everything else, properly designed and well made, these batteries are perfectly safe for normal use. The do present a fire hazard if damaged, mistreated, or poorly made in the first place.

As long as you don't drive nails through your tool batteries, you should be fine, and have nothing to worry about.

This manufacturers cutting corners are likely to have problems down the road. Doesn't that apply to everything?

d3500ram wrote:
I have several cordless power tools that used LI batteries. Should I be concerned?

No

In the RC hobby, we have used lithium batteries since they were first available. Learned long ago to treat them gently. Always charged in a fire save container, don't overcharge, don't charge at high rates. Have seen many explode or catch fire. We have seen a number of planes catch fire in the air as the lithium batteries either overheat or explode. Carrying one in you pocket is just like carrying a live bomb. Quality batteries, used properly are a great source of power, light, small and high capacity. Used improperly, or low quality, can be disaster.

GordonThree wrote:
Define "all the new". As far as I am aware its only been a single Samsung model in the news these past three+ months.

Do some research on the hoverboard issue as well, lots of false reports and media inflation there.

As of this week, Samsung had a 2nd model reported and has also placed it on their list. My personal opinion is that batteries generate heat and as they try to jam more capacity into smaller space, something has to give. I believe you will see other manufacturers start having problems in the next year as they too try to do the same that Samsung did. It was on the news last night that as of today, AT&T has stopped selling or replacing the Samsung phones that are on the recall list. They will replace one with another manufactures phone, but not a Samsung.

d3500ram wrote:
With all the new of these smart phones with lithium batteries catching fire and previously those hover board thingys with similar problems that supposedly had LI .. is there a general concern with lithium ion batteries?

I have several cordless power tools that used LI batteries. Should I be concerned?

That problem has been around at least a decade.. Only Batteries I have ever heard of in the LiOn type catching fire all had one thing in common. MADE IN CHINA

Thousands of people have not had a phone or laptop or "other" LiOn battery catch fire. Make that Millions.. Mine did not though I did have one that was recalled.. I sent it in they sent me a new one, also Made In China, it too did not catch fire.

Nope......

SONY commercialized Li-On batteries in 1991

Just like RV tires......some have defective batches.
SAMSUNG has issues but others haven't

Define "all the new". As far as I am aware its only been a single Samsung model in the news these past three+ months.

Do some research on the hoverboard issue as well, lots of false reports and media inflation there.