Backwards Batteries for Safety?

[xoul]

Tried doing a search on this and couldn't find anything. Is it harmful for the laser if you store your batteries backwards on purpose for safety?

 

[midias]

Tried doing a search on this and couldn't find anything. Is it harmful for the laser if you store your batteries backwards on purpose for safety?

If the driver does not have reverse current protection then yes

 

[123splat]

As long as you do NOT switch the laser on, NO. But, then why would you need to take a safety precaution if you were sure that the laser would not be inadvertantly switched on??

DUMB Idea. If you want to safely store a battery in your laser, while not in use, (also a not so bright idea) then put some sort of insullator (a piece of plastic or cardboard) between the battery contact and the endcap spring.

 

[xoul]

Well, I wanted some sort of way to carry my lasers in my pocket safely, without having another pocket full of batteries also. I'm pretty sure that's not a good idea, either.

 

[Misanthrop]

Well, I wanted some sort of way to carry my lasers in my pocket safely, without having another pocket full of batteries also. I'm pretty sure that's not a good idea, either.

Hows your eye mate?

 

[GBD]

Xoul,

I do what you speak of with my lasers when I carry them (prevents it from turning on).. however, my EDC laser is a DIY build, and to make sure that I won't fry something if the laser was turned on with the battery in reverse, I added a simple rectifier diode in series with the driver's input.

That will prevent current flow in an event of reverse polarity, and you can't really argue against electronic theory, diodes will only conduct in one direction. Been doing this for almost a year with no problems.

For long term storage though (more then a day).. I preffer to just leave the battery outside the laser altogether.

 

[xoul]

Hows your eye mate?

In a word, better. Still have a small blind spot off center, but much better. Thanks for asking.

 

[SerpantSlayer]

maybe put something between the battery and one of the contects like a piece of paper.

 

[hakzaw1]

As long as you do NOT switch the laser on, NO. But, then why would you need to take a safety precaution if you were sure that the laser would not be inadvertantly switched on??

DUMB Idea. If you want to safely store a battery in your laser, while not in use, (also a not so bright idea) then put some sort of insullator (a piece of plastic or cardboard) between the battery contact and the endcap spring.

^^^^ that is the correct answer. I never ship a laser any other way if I want to keep the batt in it,:tsk:

Also since some are diferent I either mark to inside of the tailcap using a fine tip sharpie with a + or -.
you could also put a NEG label near the correct end of your laser.

+1 for the best answer IMHO:beer:

Glad the eye is getting better--your avatar is not easy to look at BTW.

Len

 

[xoul]

Well, I got to thinking, since the laser I want to do this with actually uses 2 batteries, I could just reverse one, that way it's not making a complete circuit either direction.

Thanks all for the info.

 

[Sigurthr]

I wouldn't do that!, if one battery has more of a charge than the other, then it will "drive" the lesser one into depletion, destroying it. Depending on the circuitry of the driver, it may deplete both cells when the switch is closed. At the very least you'll be in a situation you want to avoid. At the very most... battery explosion.

Either check if the driver has reverse polarity protection, and add it if not (one diode, forward biased) or invest in a pocket case for the laser.