Does this look like a safe pack to salvage from? Did these cells leak or anything? New to this (just done small devices, nothing like this) and stumbled on this and not sure what’s up with it.
Does this look like a safe pack to salvage from? Did these cells leak or anything?
Are these cells just dirty or are they fricked somehow?
Wear gloves and a mask and make a jig to evaluate each invldividual cell. Characterize how they charge and see how long they hold ot and discharge it
Thanks. But the discoloration isn’t some obvious sign of leakage or anything right?
I know the right respiratory PPE but nitriles with some work gloves over them would be good or no?
Looks like they may have gotten wet at some point. Not really a big deal unless the cell cans are rusting.
You don't need a mask or really even gloves to handle them, though work gloves are recommended if you're disassembling. I've cut my fingers enough times on the sharp corners of strips to wear gloves whenever I'm disassembling packs. Just make sure to wash your hands after you're done with the cells.
The #1 consideration when playing with lithium batteries is a safe place to chuck a thermal runaway cell. A metal bucket with sand/dirt does well, but really you should be in your garage or outside because the fumes from burning lithium ion batteries are not good for you.
They’d be more likely to short like that right? Deposits between the cells?
>discoloration
Depends on the environment they were in.
>nitriles
If lithium gets exposed, it is unlikely that a) you'll be caught off guard, because b) it don't matter what gloves you're wearing as they all melt equally quickly.
Have a bucket of sand handy. And then a second bucket of sand for when you frick up the first try.
look fine, albeit a little dirty.
the only way to know their health is to check the voltage with a mm. if they are below 2.5v then they are probably junk.
Corrosion on cells is suspicious.
I would disassemble the pack and re-wrap all cells and inspect their vent valves carefully.
Id say if they are below 1.5V they are dead. Below 2.8V there is a good chance half of capacity is lost and self discharge is more than normal.
You can unwrap a battery without any major surprises. Surprises start when you get even slightest amount of moisture onto the cathode? or anode? the black stuff. It reacts really well with water, and solvents inside the battery (smells like acetone of so, but is more flammable than propane or butane) catch fire.
I suggest using natural fabric gloves or leather.
Wear cotton/leather, nothing plastic, definitely not on your hands! Get some buckets of sand ready and clean up your exit path - in case something happens. It looks suspicious, so be careful while disassasembly.
Thanks everyone!
To add to the other safety tips, if you hear a hiss, DO NOT PLACE A CELL NEAR YOUR EAR TO CONFIRM.