Author Topic: Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?...  (Read 3853 times)

Offline Calvin Cooledge

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Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?...
« on: January 07, 2007, 12:32:24 PM »
http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=42

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, guys. Busy busy,
and the Christmas travel took a lot of my time.

Anyway, Happy New Year and don't buy any exploding
batteries :o

Calvin Cooledge
(PS-I did a feeble search on this forum and came up with
nothing. If we've already discussed this, I apologize!)
"I'm spreading my loyalty around..." - Calvin Cooledge

Offline riffraff

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Re: Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2007, 05:48:58 PM »
It is my limited understanding that when Lithium comes into contact with water it can explode.  So any Lithium battery is potentially hazardous.

Mike
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Offline tracker

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Re: Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2007, 07:41:30 PM »
That could explain, in part, why most lithium battery
flashlights are waterproof--a great idea in any flashlight.

Offline Richard S

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Re: Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2007, 11:50:37 AM »
Mike and Tracker are right.  Mixing lithium and water produces lithium hydroxide (LiOH), a corrosive alkali. The reaction is violent and can generate so much heat that the hydrogen produced burns with a purple flame.  Lithium batteries should be kept away from water.  

(I'm not a chemist, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express and I did accidentally blow up the drain of a sink in my high school chemistry lab one day back in 1954.  :D)
« Last Edit: January 08, 2007, 11:52:40 AM by Richard_S »
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Offline tracker

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Re: Have we discussed exploding Lithium batteries?
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2007, 07:47:12 PM »
FYI,
I ordered 10 CR-123 batteries from David at Fenix and
after reading the above link was very pleased to see that
they are made in the good ole US of A. ~$20 for 10 batteries.