My batteries are screaming

I got 9 18650's out of an old laptop batt. 3 were 3.7v, 3 were 2.7v, and 3 were 0v.
I tried charging the 3.7's, no problem, tried the 0's (knowing they were pooched) and they just made the lights of the charger flash which was kinda pretty :na:
Then I tried the 2.7's..... I guess they didn't like it much because the high pitched scream was pretty funny.
I don't feel like having to order another charger (this one just came today) so I only had each one in for about 2 seconds but what would be causing this?
It sounds a bit like gas escaping from the cell, from what videos I have seen of self - destructive li-ion cells it would be a good campfire but I like my carpet.
Happy lasing
-Auto

Do they scream each time you plug them in? I'm thinking resonance in the protection circuits, like we see with drivers on occasion.

EDIT - Thanks for posting. I just pulled 6 18650s out of a knackered laptop battery. Oddly enough, they all tested at 4.05 volts. Can a cell lose capacity without losing voltage

Li-ions out of battery packs don't have individual protection circuits. What kind of charger were you using? The screaming batteries were probably venting, they should be tossed. The 0v ones can be recovered if you have a bench power supply that will do CC and CV, but 99% of the time the capacity will be less than 1/10th of original, so it's rarely worth trying unless your just bored. Just set the PS at 4.2v and limit it to 100ma until the cell gets up above 3v and is stable, then put it on a normal charger. I advise keeping the battery in a fireproof container while doing this.

And yes they lose capacity without losing voltage. They work over the same voltage range regardless of capacity.

I'm Not 100% certain, but I think the venting gas is Flammable!

Coherent:

Are you sure that the high-pitched sound was from the battery vents, or from inside the charger? I have a charger that "whines" when I put a really low battery into it. If you even want to try the 2.7V set of batteries, maybe set up outside on a non-flammable surface and try charging them. Plug the charger in by a long extension and if you see anything funny, pull the cord. If batteries are actually venting gas and it's not a charger noise, you don't want the batteries or the gas from them in your house. I do all my lipo charging on a concrete floor in a room with a vent fan.

I was charging on a steel workbench I use for welding but over a piece of carpet, outside in the shop with a 26' ceiling ^_^
I would play with these cells more because I AM bored (I have a lot of stuff coming in the mail) but I only have one charger at the moment (2 more on the way) and I don't want to burn it up seeing as it is less than 2 days here lol. Also there is a 3/4 finished dune buggy right beside the bench and so a bit of fuel/oil fumes around.
I'm pretty sure the batteries were venting, when the 0v batts were in, they did nothing but make the charger stutter. I'm not too worried about cheap, crap, worn out old laptop batteries and I'll likely just throw em in the fire and watch em blow
Thought it was kind of funny though so it was worth sharing. It did teach me to never leave charging batteries charging inside overnight or unattended (within reason) so it was a worthwhile experience.
Thanks for the input guys!
-Auto

I still wonder what kind of charger you were using. Most have detection that would prevent currents getting high enough to cause venting.

Also. What kind of cells are they? Any numbers? Most of the ones i've come across have been samsung ICR18650-26a's. These were really popular with dell apparently.

qumefox said:

I still wonder what kind of charger you were using. Most have detection that would prevent currents getting high enough to cause venting.

Also. What kind of cells are they? Any numbers? Most of the ones i've come across have been samsung ICR18650-26a's. These were really popular with dell apparently.

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The charger is a crap DX one, punch in 18650 charger and it will be the 1st one to pop up. ($7.52 - Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger )
the numbers on the batteries are :

C

JKIM2A6
037928

Ugh. You should really get a ultrafire wf-139 (or better) whenever you can $12 shipped from china.. I just ordered another 5 last week heh.. That's about the cheapest 'safe' charger you can get. You reaaaaly should measure the voltage that DX charger is putting into your batteries. and maybe if you can, get some clipleads and a DMM in series with the battery and see what current it's trying to charge at. The voltage should NEVER be more than 4.2v And the maximum current would just depends on the battery. the wf-139 charges at 450ma. WHen i'm messing with dead cells with the bench power supply, I usually don't go over 100ma and usually have a thermocouple taped to the cell watching the temp and never leave it on unattended. I have this phobia of things blowing up in my face afterall.. and burning down my house.

Ive had a DX charger make a squeeling noise after leaving it plugged in for a few days with no batteries in it. Another member had fire shoot out of his...lol. I never leave mine unattended or plugged in with no batt's anymore. Other than that mine have been okay.
Ive only really heard of this with switching circuits, boost drivers etc, and its usually attributed to a poorly soldered inductor.

Which charger are you using? Have a pic?

i have been told that you should never try to charge batteries below 2.8v without expensive lab-top trickle chargers. the whining you hear very well could be venting of the battery

You don't need an expensive charger. You just need one that you can limit both voltage and current. I use a BK precision 1670 triple output. Has an adjustable 0-30v dc @ 0-2.5A output, as well as a fixed 12v and fixed 5v output. I think I paid $35 for it at a hamfest if I remember right. I had to recalibrate it's meters though, since I found the volt meter to be half a volt off and the current side was even worse. They're pretty much spot on now though and it's never given me any trouble.

wannaburn said:

Ive had a DX charger make a squeeling noise after leaving it plugged in for a few days with no batteries in it. Another member had fire shoot out of his...lol. I never leave mine unattended or plugged in with no batt's anymore. Other than that mine have been okay.
Ive only really heard of this with switching circuits, boost drivers etc, and its usually attributed to a poorly soldered inductor.

Which charger are you using? Have a pic?

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DealExtreme: $7.52 Digital Li-Ion 18650 Battery Charger
Damn cheap but decent reviews, I'm not out much if it blows and the footage might be pretty spectacular