The Exploding 18650 Battery!

November 10, 2019

Just this morning, around 10:30, as we were on our way to the supermarket.  I was driving and my wife was sitting on the passenger side.  When she suddenly noticed some smoke coming out of my EDC (Every Day Carry) bag.  The bag was placed between the driver and passenger seat. 

Then, just before I turn my head to look, we heard a "Phoooof" sound, just like the sound of a .22 caliber pistol being fired.  And as I saw my bag, smoke and fire were building up.

Our vehicle was in the middle of the street because we were about to turn left to another street.  There was an island on my left.  

I immediately opened my door and throw the bag on the island.  I think I stepped on my bag a few times to put the fire out (I was in a little bit of a panic mode at that moment, so I was not sure if I really did that, eheheh.)

My immediate thought was that the battery of the flashlight inside the bag short-circuited, and that had caused the smoke and fire.  But as a dumped the content of the bag on the ground, I saw that my flashlight was intact.  Then I realized what had really happened.  

My EDC bag contains the following items.

First of all, being a Letranite, I always carry the Rosary (made of metal).

Some loose change/coins (metal)

A six-inch lightning chord (both ends are metal)

Few keys with keychain (metal)

The flashlight (also metal)

An ID/cardholder (synthetic leather)

Some bills (paper)

And an extra 18650 spare battery for the flashlight, which in my stupidity, I did not put in a case.

So, with all the metal content of the bag, the two terminals of the spare battery got in to contact, which created first the smoke, and finally made the battery short-circuit and explode! Bhhaaammm!

Fireworks!

It was a good thing though that the vehicle was not moving at that moment, and there were only few other vehicles on the street.  So, we really did not cause any traffic.

When I was sure that the fire was out, I took back the bag, and it's content, which by then was all on the ground.  I piked all the coins (it's a pity to leave them there), the Rosary, the cardholder which was burned, and of course the bills.   

We had to open all the windows of the car to let the smoke out.  Which I can really say smells terrible.  It's like having your face in front of a really old smoke-belching vehicle whose engine had not had an oil change in decades!  But much worst. 

But, I am still thankful that only my bag, the cardholder, and the spare battery were damaged.

The car still has a bit of that foul smoke smell, and hopefully, it will all be gone tomorrow.

So, that's it, our misfortune of the day.

Lesson.  Be very careful with your battery.  Put them in a case!

Some Calculations : Battery Capacity

Ever wonder how long your battery will last using a number of light bulbs with a particular wattage?

One formula for power is P = V x I, where P is for power in Watts, V is for Volts and I is for the current in amperes (DC).  Not so simple for people like us, who do not have any electrical or engineering background.

Here is a simplified way on how to compute for it.

Best thing to do is to give an example.

So, how long will I be able to use my 12v, 70 Ah Battery if I am powering two (2) pieces of 5 Watts light bulbs?

First, we need to compute for the battery's capacity.

12v x 70 ah = 840W (V x I = P)

840W is the maximum amount of power stored in my battery, but you cannot use all of that, you should not fully drain your battery.  It is bad for the battery's health 😆.

They have what they call DOD or Depth Of Discharge.  If you want to use only 50% of the battery's capacity then you just have to multiply your total capacity to this percentage.  I am not sure what is the best DOD to use, but since the example given to me was 50%, I assume that this is a good enough DOD.

840 Watts x 50% DOD = 420 Watts, this is the available energy that you can use.

Now for our consumption, we have two 5W bulbs or a total of 10W (2 x 5).  We just have to divide our allowed capacity to this figure.

420W / 10W = 42 hours

This means that your fully charge 70Ah battery can power two (2) 5W bulbs for 42 hours,  and after 42 hours, your battery will still have a charge of 50%.

So, I hope this will help you in computing for the number of light bulbs that you can use, using a particular Ampere battery.  So that you would not over drain your battery, which in turn will enable you to use it for a longer time.

Many thanks to Sir Jun Bro Magno of Solar Ng Pilipino for his advice in this computation.

Solar Power - Basic Equipment

These are the basic equipment for a solar power system.

First are the solar panels.

These solar panels uses the photovoltaic (PV) method of converting the suns light or solar radiation into direct current (DC) electricity. 

These panels are then connected to a Solar Charge Controller.

Solar Charge Controller (SCC)

The Solar Charge Controller or SCC regulates the voltage that is coming from the PV going to the batteries.  It will make the voltage high enough to charge the battery, but low enough to not ruin or break it.

Batteries

This is where the energy is stored, so that when night comes and there are no sunlight, your system will still continue to function, using the energy stored from your batteries. I only have a 12v DC system, but if you want to use your system to make 220v AC equipment to function, you will need a power inverter.

Power Inverter or just Inverter

This equipment converts your 12v DC electricity to 220v AC electricity.  This will enable you to use your TV, Electric Fan, Refrigerator or even your Air Conditioning Unit.

As I earlier mentioned, I do not have an inverter in my system.  So I can only use mine for 12v DC equipment.  I have a couple of 12v light bulbs, and the USB charger for the gadgets.

 This are the basic equipment needed for a solar power system to function. Many thanks to Kuya Nelson Hernandez for allowing me to use the pictures of his Solar Power System.  But I think I need to go back to get clearer pictures.

I was able to get some clearer picture last Sunday, February 19.

The Solar Power Project (Pacham Style)

Clean and free energy!

That is what Solar Power is all about.

I am one of those types of person that would always want to know how things works.  So, most of the time I would dismantle an equipment and study what is inside it, then I would put them back again and would wonder what those extra parts are for ☺☺☺☺

I have been trying to learn how to make my own Solar Power System for quite some time now, but one would only really learn how, when he makes his own (or is that case only applicable to me).

Last January 06, due to some unfortunate events in my life, I decided to just go and do it, I really need something to keep my mind occupied.

After office, I decided to go to a CDR King outlet and buy me one of those Solar panel.  I first went to Lumina Mall in Imus, but unfortunately, there were no more CDR King store there.  Had to pay Php30.00 for parking only to learn that they have already closed their outlet there. wooo.

So I went to the next mall along the way home that I know have that store.  Robinsons Imus!  And I found what I was looking for.

(Picture January 06, 2017)

Solar panel and charge controller. (the black and the blue thing) (Php2,990.00 for the panel and Php990.00 for the Charge Controller).

(Picture January 06, 2017)

I also bought one of this tester for Php480.00.

(Picture January 07, 2017)

The next day, I tried it, I thought of using only the USB charger of the solar charge controller (SCC), and guess what, it did not work, apparently, you really need a battery.  Epic fail.  But no worries, it's only my first try.

But my urge to make it work was so strong, so the following day I went out to buy me a Battery, a 70 Ah (ampere hour) Electron battery.

(Picture January 08, 2017)

I bought this for Php2,900.00, now the equipment's are complete, I tested it and this time I made it work, the next thing to do is to install them!

Installing this was fun but scary, 

(Picture January 08, 2017)

I installed the panel in the garage roof, and as what you are seeing that roof needs a major cleaning and renovation, and that's what made it scary.

(Picture January 08, 2017)

The Charge Controller and Battery I installed near the window.  During this time, I still do not have any 12v light bulbs, so, all I can use this system for is to charge my power banks.

On the 15^th of January, I was able to finally buy some more things that are needed, the light bulb and the USB extension cords.  These, I bought from CDR King SM Dasmariñas.

At around 7:30 PM that day, I was able to make the light work.  Even though wires are dangling all around, at least it was working. ☺☺☺

I will be able to fixed that someday, wiring that are clean and good to look at, someday, hopefully......

I think it had cost me around Php8,000.00 for this 12v system, including the wires, for one (1) light bulb (eheheh).  Hope to install some more light bulbs inside the house.

This is my first post regarding Solar Power System, hoping to post some more, will show the updates of my system.  Soon....