Ray_of_Light
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: A Little Accident. Enjoy.
Cheap, safe and good: pick any of the two.
1. Buy cells of known quality.
2. Since it can be a bogus cell among quality ones, before sealing indefinetively 123s in a multiple cell flashlight, flash-amp the cells.
3. Inspect the cells after a violent drop of the light. That's the moment when most of the cell leak/explosion takes place.
4. Do not mix different brands in a multiple cell flashlight, and replace all the cells at once.
5. Be afraid to seal inside a flashlight cells that are close to end-of-life, or are defective in any manner. Unforeseen, and often nasty things happens mostly with discharged/bad cells. Throw away cells that you now are depleted more than 90%.
6. Single cells lights are safer. Low drain lights are safer.
7. An explosion can happen, by mean of various dynamics, with all type of cells, not strictly with lithium 123s. Statistically, the alkalines are the most prone to catastrophic failure, but there are very few sealed lights using alkalines. Also, they are less energy-dense than lithium.
8. The explosion of a cell is a very rare occurance. Good to be aware of, but unlikely for you to experience it.
Anthony
EDIT: The lithium 123 leaks some nasty chemicals, when mechanically abused or attempted to recharge. These chemicals will corrode both plastic and metals.
In the case presented here, the explosion very likely has dispersed all reactive chemicals. THe residue you see is mostly composed of degraded manganese dioxide, which is not toxic by itself.
Lithium dust, which may be contained within, may pose an healt risk if inhaled or ingested, since is very reactive (as proven).
Better to vacuum clean the all room.
Cheap, safe and good: pick any of the two.
1. Buy cells of known quality.
2. Since it can be a bogus cell among quality ones, before sealing indefinetively 123s in a multiple cell flashlight, flash-amp the cells.
3. Inspect the cells after a violent drop of the light. That's the moment when most of the cell leak/explosion takes place.
4. Do not mix different brands in a multiple cell flashlight, and replace all the cells at once.
5. Be afraid to seal inside a flashlight cells that are close to end-of-life, or are defective in any manner. Unforeseen, and often nasty things happens mostly with discharged/bad cells. Throw away cells that you now are depleted more than 90%.
6. Single cells lights are safer. Low drain lights are safer.
7. An explosion can happen, by mean of various dynamics, with all type of cells, not strictly with lithium 123s. Statistically, the alkalines are the most prone to catastrophic failure, but there are very few sealed lights using alkalines. Also, they are less energy-dense than lithium.
8. The explosion of a cell is a very rare occurance. Good to be aware of, but unlikely for you to experience it.
Anthony
EDIT: The lithium 123 leaks some nasty chemicals, when mechanically abused or attempted to recharge. These chemicals will corrode both plastic and metals.
In the case presented here, the explosion very likely has dispersed all reactive chemicals. THe residue you see is mostly composed of degraded manganese dioxide, which is not toxic by itself.
Lithium dust, which may be contained within, may pose an healt risk if inhaled or ingested, since is very reactive (as proven).
Better to vacuum clean the all room.