A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

What are these cheap lithium ion batteries, and where can I buy them?

The Rev Dodgson said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

What are these cheap lithium ion batteries, and where can I buy them?

Ali Express. They’ve been known to explode in transit, as well as their destination. Google/Bing it for more fun stories.

No need to convince me – Or the neighbours.
This their house the day after it burnt down from a cheap & nasty e-ciggie one of the (dim) kids had charging on his bed.

All the EV car batteries are pretty safe though. It’s mainly the cheap e-scooters, etc.

It seems the news articles weren’t updated, but I believe the cause of this fire was an e-scooter battery.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-11/qld-burpengary-fire-emergency-declaration/105405902

Spiny Norman said:

No need to convince me – Or the neighbours.
This their house the day after it burnt down from a cheap & nasty e-ciggie one of the (dim) kids had charging on his bed.

All the EV car batteries are pretty safe though. It’s mainly the cheap e-scooters, etc.

Adds a whole new meaning to smoking in bed.

Divine Angel said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

What are these cheap lithium ion batteries, and where can I buy them?

Ali Express. They’ve been known to explode in transit, as well as their destination. Google/Bing it for more fun stories.

we mean wasn’t it a good thing that Israel blew up all those Islamic terrorists with their pagers

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

It is one reason why I don’t want rechargeable hearing aids.

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

Thanks for showing that.

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

Tau.Neutrino said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

Thanks for showing that.

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I think you will find that it isn’t as much the battery as the appliance.

roughbarked said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

Thanks for showing that.

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I think you will find that it isn’t as much the battery as the appliance.

From what the video shows, the batteries are definitely a major factor.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Thanks for showing that.

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I think you will find that it isn’t as much the battery as the appliance.

From what the video shows, the batteries are definitely a major factor.

doubt that a good old nicad would burn so easy

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

why not just leave anything charging unmonitored overnight in a big clay pot

I have these AA li-ion Rechargeable batteries.

Hixon AA Li-ion 1.5V 3500mWh 5V charging voltage.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/295906024309

I have these AA li-ion Rechargeable batteries

I have noticed my torch becoming very hot using them.

Luckily my torch has high and low settings.

So the torch stays cooler on the low setting which is still adequate.

Tau.Neutrino said:

I have these AA li-ion Rechargeable batteries.

Hixon AA Li-ion 1.5V 3500mWh 5V charging voltage.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/295906024309

I have these AA li-ion Rechargeable batteries

I have noticed my torch becoming very hot using them.

Luckily my torch has high and low settings.

So the torch stays cooler on the low setting which is still adequate.

just go lifepo and live

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Thanks for showing that.

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I think you will find that it isn’t as much the battery as the appliance.

From what the video shows, the batteries are definitely a major factor.

True but would they be happier charging via a lower current?

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

Absolutely.

Tau.Neutrino said:

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

Absolutely.

My Phone hasn’t had a problem but I recall a laptop where the batteries swelled and pushed the battery cover off.

Solar watches are constatly recharging their Lithium batteries but at a much lower ampere rate. Maybe people should use solar recharging units?

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

I think you will find that it isn’t as much the battery as the appliance.

From what the video shows, the batteries are definitely a major factor.

True but would they be happier charging via a lower current?

Quite possibly, but the process described in the video (lithium plating buildup) seems to be an artefact of the construction of the battery.

Batteries made cheap and rough, with poor quality and process controls, seem to be more readily prone to that.

So, cheap and nasty batteries are the greatest risk, and i posit that even if they are charged at a lower power level, the same thing will occur, it’ll just take longer.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

captain_spalding said:

From what the video shows, the batteries are definitely a major factor.

True but would they be happier charging via a lower current?

Quite possibly, but the process described in the video (lithium plating buildup) seems to be an artefact of the construction of the battery.

Batteries made cheap and rough, with poor quality and process controls, seem to be more readily prone to that.

So, cheap and nasty batteries are the greatest risk, and i posit that even if they are charged at a lower power level, the same thing will occur, it’ll just take longer.

OK. I haven’t watched the video.

In the video Adam asks what about testing the batteries to obtain more information than just using a multi meter.

Vague answer but a true battery tester would be great to have.

You can buy battery conditioners or battery Maintenance devices which kind of come close

Universal Batterys Maintenance Station For LiPoes LiFe Cells 15S NiMH Charging
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/316968607181

roughbarked said:

Solar watches are constatly recharging their Lithium batteries but at a much lower ampere rate. Maybe people should use solar recharging units?

I bought a solar rechargeable calculator some 30 years ago and after all this time it still doesn’t work.

Tau.Neutrino said:

In the video Adam asks what about testing the batteries to obtain more information than just using a multi meter.

Vague answer but a true battery tester would be great to have.

You can buy battery conditioners or battery Maintenance devices which kind of come close

Universal Batterys Maintenance Station For LiPoes LiFe Cells 15S NiMH Charging
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/316968607181

That one for NiMH batteries

Here’s another that does a few different battery types

20Amp Smart Battery Charger,Lithium,LiFePO4,Lead-Acid Car Battery Charger Repair

A battery tester would charge and discharge the battery and display readout results.

Can you buy devices like that?

I have a lot of double aa’s and some just fail and don’t display a voltage reading.

I have found these NiMH Rechargeable Batteries to outlast your average AA Rechargeable by about 4 times.

Panasonic Eneloop Pro – AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

FMD… Do I need to supervise my laptop and smartphone while they’re charging? Life’s too short, I’d rather burn!

Peak Warming Man said:

roughbarked said:

Solar watches are constatly recharging their Lithium batteries but at a much lower ampere rate. Maybe people should use solar recharging units?

I bought a solar rechargeable calculator some 30 years ago and after all this time it still doesn’t work.

I haven’t had a use for it for years but I found my solar powered calculator still functions fine.

Witty Rejoinder said:

captain_spalding said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

If you have those batteries.

That’s a must watch video.

I should say that pretty much everyone has some Li-ion -powered devices these days. The video says that the average American has 9 such gizmos, and, as Australians do love tech toys, it’s probably much the same here.

Golden rule: never, ever leave anything charging where it can’t be monitored, and certainly not overnight.

FMD… Do I need to supervise my laptop and smartphone while they’re charging? Life’s too short, I’d rather burn!

I believe newer chemistry is now used in these devices. less likely to spontaneously combust.

AI Overview
Lithium-ion batteries are less likely to catch fire today due to significant advancements in battery management systems (BMS), chemistry, and manufacturing standards that prevent “thermal runaway”. While older batteries relied on, and were susceptible to, uncontrolled heating and chemical instability, modern batteries incorporate multiple layers of protection that detect and stop problems before they become dangerous.

Here is why lithium batteries are safer now than in the past:
1. Sophisticated Battery Management Systems (BMS)
Modern batteries feature electronic BMS that act as the “brain” of the battery.

Real-time Monitoring: The BMS constantly tracks voltage, current, and temperature, shutting down the battery if it detects anomalies that could lead to fire.

Balancing Cells: The BMS ensures that all cells in a battery pack charge and discharge evenly, reducing the risk of overcharge, which is a major cause of failure.

Overcharge Protection: Quality chargers and BMS prevent the battery from being charged beyond its maximum capacity, preventing the chemical instability that causes older, cheaper, or faulty batteries to catch fire.

2. Improved Cell Chemistries (LFP vs. Cobalt)
The move away from traditional Lithium Cobalt Oxide to more stable chemistries, such as Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), has significantly reduced fire risk.

Thermal Stability: LFP batteries are much more thermally stable and less prone to entering a self-sustaining, uncontrolled heating state (thermal runaway).

Safety Additives: Modern electrolytes are often mixed with flame-retardant additives that prevent the battery from catching fire even if damaged.

3. Better Physical Design and Structural Integrity
Rigorous Safety Testing: Modern batteries must adhere to strict international standards involving drop, crush, vibration, and nail penetration tests, ensuring they can handle physical abuse without igniting.

Separators: Improved separators, sometimes coated with ceramic particles, prevent the anode and cathode from touching—a leading cause of internal short circuits.

Containment: Better cell casing, such as aluminum-plastic films in pouch cells, are designed to swell and release pressure safely rather than exploding.

4. Advanced Manufacturing Processes
Contamination Control: Early lithium batteries were often prone to defects introduced during the manufacturing process, such as microscopic metallic contaminants that caused internal shorts. Modern factories use cleaner, automated, and more precise manufacturing techniques.

5. Cell-Level Isolation
Isolation Barriers: In large battery packs (like those in electric vehicles), individual cells are now better isolated from one another with fire-resistant materials, preventing a single cell failure from cascading into a full pack fire.

Sounds like some lithium battery manufacturers could learn something from ASML, in precision manufacturing.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Sounds like some lithium battery manufacturers could learn something from ASML, in precision manufacturing.

The World’s Most Important Machine

I use a charging routine of left to right which I stick to, this allows even use.

I take out the one closest to the open clip then move each one left to right.

4th one in the torch

Tau.Neutrino said:

I use a charging routine of left to right which I stick to, this allows even use.

I take out the one closest to the open clip then move each one left to right.

4th one in the torch

I have noticed the torch with high and low settings getting very hot when set to high,

The battery has switched itself off a few times (over discharge) I’m guessing. Lithium batteries like being cool, a temperature feed back in the torch might help regulate high discharge.

So I use the torch set to low.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

I use a charging routine of left to right which I stick to, this allows even use.

I take out the one closest to the open clip then move each one left to right.

4th one in the torch

I have noticed the torch with high and low settings getting very hot when set to high,

The battery has switched itself off a few times (over discharge) I’m guessing. Lithium batteries like being cool, a temperature feed back in the torch might help regulate high discharge.

So I use the torch set to low.

Maybe all devices should have temperature and voltage sensing,

Smarter ways to regulate battery temperature and discharge etc.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

I use a charging routine of left to right which I stick to, this allows even use.

I take out the one closest to the open clip then move each one left to right.

4th one in the torch

I have noticed the torch with high and low settings getting very hot when set to high,

The battery has switched itself off a few times (over discharge) I’m guessing. Lithium batteries like being cool, a temperature feed back in the torch might help regulate high discharge.

So I use the torch set to low.

Maybe all devices should have temperature and voltage sensing,

Smarter ways to regulate battery temperature and discharge etc.

You bought that up RB.

My torch doesn’t have any circuit in it to control the battery.

The battery itself has, and it has shut itself off a few times.
It has built-in overcharge, overdischarge, short-circuit, reverse polarity protection.

The torch could use a battery management circuit.

A lot of multimeters have a battery test option which puts the battery under a load and displays a continuous reading.

How many people leave their alkaline or rechargeable batteries in their device’s?

1 this can drain rechargable batteries and may cause damage to them.
2 alkaline batteries can leak after use and can damage the battery compartment.

So these cheap lithium batteries have quality control and precision manufacturing issues.

Maybe a bit more legislation in that area?

Tau.Neutrino said:

So these cheap lithium batteries have quality control and precision manufacturing issues.

Maybe a bit more legislation in that area?

Which would help reduce lithium related fires.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

So these cheap lithium batteries have quality control and precision manufacturing issues.

Maybe a bit more legislation in that area?

Which would help reduce lithium related fires.

The problems are 1. where are these laws made, 2. who’s going to enforce them, and 3. how are they going to enforce them ?

No good making laws in Australia about making shoddy batteries if they’re made in China. Like some factory owner in Huangzhou gives a toss about a law in Australia.

No good having a law which says you can’t bring shoddy batteries into Australia unless you’re going to employ people whose duties include checking batteries to see that they meet the required standard.

No good having people to do that, unless you provide them with the facilities and equipment (like the 3D X-ray imaging described in the ‘Tested’ video).

If a government arises which is willing to make the laws, employ and train the people, and provide the necessary equipment to do the job, i will be pleasantly surprised.

A federal funded letterbox information leafet about dangers of lithium batteries might help.

Like

Don’t throw lithium batteries into the rubbish bin
Dangers of cheap batteries
Dangers of charging stations and over charging batteries

And others.

Some people know
Some people don’t know

I keep a close eye on rechargeables.

Tau.Neutrino said:

A federal funded letterbox information leafet about dangers of lithium batteries might help.

Like

Don’t throw lithium batteries into the rubbish bin
Dangers of cheap batteries
Dangers of charging stations and over charging batteries

And others.

Some people know
Some people don’t know

I’d have thousands of Lithium batteries laying about the house. I really should tidy them up and senf them off to a recycler.

If your battery rotation involves a battery conditioner or battery maintainer then battery failures will be picked up more quickly.

The report mentioned in the video.

https://www.lumafield.com/battery-report

Link

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

He also did one on USB cables, and the “x-ray” view of the various connectors show that in general, it was worth paying more for a cable. The cheaper ones were a mess inside! Yay Adam!

Obviousman said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

He also did one on USB cables, and the “x-ray” view of the various connectors show that in general, it was worth paying more for a cable. The cheaper ones were a mess inside! Yay Adam!

Yes, i’ve been meaning to track down the one on cables.

captain_spalding said:

Obviousman said:

captain_spalding said:

A most informative 21 minute video from Adam Savage’s ‘Tested’ channel on Youtube about potential problems with lithium ion batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y23nfAOiXQ

The video not only discusses and explains what some of the potential defects are, but shows inside batteries so we can see why el cheapo batteries can be a big risk.

At one point, the possibility of having your ear buds burst into flames while you’re using them is mentioned.

He also did one on USB cables, and the “x-ray” view of the various connectors show that in general, it was worth paying more for a cable. The cheaper ones were a mess inside! Yay Adam!

Yes, i’ve been meaning to track down the one on cables.

This seems to be it.

A Look Inside Apple’s $130 USB-C Cable

AussieDJ said:

captain_spalding said:

Obviousman said:

He also did one on USB cables, and the “x-ray” view of the various connectors show that in general, it was worth paying more for a cable. The cheaper ones were a mess inside! Yay Adam!

Yes, i’ve been meaning to track down the one on cables.

This seems to be it.

A Look Inside Apple’s $130 USB-C Cable

Thanks.