[Elecraft] Being cautious around Li-Ion Batteries

[Fred Jensen]

Glad you weren't hurt.  Anything in the first column of the periodic 
table are very reactive, starting with H for Hindenburg.  I had a little 
Li-Poly RC battery burst into flames on our deck table when it was 
powering my KX1.  Fortunately, I had it external on a little pigtail and 
I could fling it over the rail onto our gravel driveway.

I believe the Li-Poly's are the least stable, followed by the Li-ion, 
and then LiFePO4.  I charge any Li chemistry battery outside in a steel 
bucket using my solar panel, and I'd never put one inside my radios.  Of 
course we have 2 laptops, two Kindle Fire's, and two Samsung Galaxy 5 
phones, all with internal Li-ion batteries and none of those have burst 
into flames ... yet.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org

On 12/10/2014 4:21 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
> Just a quick note to affirm the need for caution around Lithium-Ion
> battery packs.
>
> Today I was charging a new 12 volt Li-Io battery pack.  Fist time being
> charged.  I was using a specialized automatic Li-Io charger.
> Nonetheless, the battery pack exploded with an incredible force, blowing
> items off my workbench within 2 feet of the explosion.  The burn area on
> my workbench exceeds 12 inches.  If I hadn't been wearing safety
> glasses, I'm sure my eyes would have been badly affected.  The sound
> level was at least equal to a 44 magnum. My facial hair has been burned
> and there are numerous particles embedded in my skin, walls and table.
> The furthest piece, embedded in ceiling, is at least 10 feet from the
> ignition point.  About 2 ounces of C4 would perform about the same.