Nine-volt battery explosions.

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I've had this happen twice now - both Duracell nine-volt batteries that were removed from smoke-detectors when they started beeping for low-voltage. I put them with other dead batteries on the desk until I get round to taking them for recycling. Twice now I have been startled by quite loud bangs and a bit movement. On inspection, the plastic base of the case has been half blown out. I put the first one, about a year ago, down as a one-off, but investigated the net when this one went off just now and it does seem to happen quite a bit.

Not hugely dangerous, but quite alarming.

Apparently, they have been known to do it in service and then set off the smoke alarm with the small amount of particulate matter that is expelled. Both of my incidents have been when they've been waiting to be recycled, though.

Something to be aware of.....
 

bpelectric

Well-Known Forumite
I was asked by one of the big company what back up battery's we used and told not to use Duracell on any of there sites for this very same reason
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I was asked by one of the big company what back up battery's we used and told not to use Duracell on any of there sites for this very same reason

It is a fair bang when it happens, probably not really dangerous unless you actually had it in your mouth at the time. It took me a while to find what it was the first time, but I actually saw this one jump up in the air.
 

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
That's quite concerning. Not quite related but LiPo batteries can have serious explosions when charged, and I've seen two cases where they start small fires or at least burn worktops. I now have a special fire proof bag that I place any LiPo batteries in whilst charging JUST incase and always take them off charge the moment they are ready.
LiPo aren't as common as NiCad and NiMh, but seem to be becoming more common. My new Phantom quadcopter uses one as does my e-cig
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
That's quite concerning. Not quite related but LiPo batteries can have serious explosions when charged, and I've seen two cases where they start small fires or at least burn worktops. I now have a special fire proof bag that I place any LiPo batteries in whilst charging JUST incase and always take them off charge the moment they are ready.
LiPo aren't as common as NiCad and NiMh, but seem to be becoming more common. My new Phantom quadcopter uses one as does my e-cig

I don't think this is an 'explosion' in that sense, probably more just a gaseous over-pressure. I picked the offending battery up within a few seconds this time and there was little or no heat involved - I might open it up and have a proper look...
 

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
In your couple of instances thankfully not, but if they can "pop" to that extent there's nothing saying they would never pop any worse than that. Note to self:- check old kids toys for any dead batteries tomorrow and bin them ;)
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
In your couple of instances thankfully not, but if they can "pop" to that extent there's nothing saying they would never pop any worse than that. Note to self:- check old kids toys for any dead batteries tomorrow and bin them ;)

In my extensive sample (of two!) they have been very consistent - just a sharp bang, like somebody slapping the desk with a paperback book, and a small amount of movement, as a result. The fire aspect of Li cells is a little more worrying, I only have few of those, but they are becoming much more common.


Note to self:- check old kids toys for any dead batteries tomorrow and bin them ;)
Might as well do the younger kids as well....
 
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