a123 cell damage .. salvageable? - RC-Monster Forums

kulangflow · **a123 cell damage .. salvageable? -** 11.04.2007, 03:44 PM

Is this cell worth trying to salvage? I'm such an idiot.

It still reads voltage like all the rest.

If it's not salvageable, do any of you have an extra cell lying around you'd sell me?

Thanks,

Brian

suicideneil · 11.06.2007, 03:55 PM

Wouldnt risk trying to use it again, even if it does read a healthy voltage.

11.06.2007, 04:49 PM

I would not use it again. what did you do to it?

ClodMaxx · 11.06.2007, 04:56 PM

looks like a soldering accident... a123 spot welds the strips on there and warns against putting a soldering iron to the cell caps for very long...

kulangflow · 11.06.2007, 05:24 PM

Negative, Ghost Rider.

It had not yet been touched by a soldering iron.

It happened as I was first dis-assembling the pack. I was trying to seperate the pack into two halves. I had clipped the battery bar as much as I could with some crappy pliers, and I was twisting the two halves up and down to finish breaking the battery bar. Very stupid. Two cells connected just enough to spark, do the damage, and scare the crap out of me.

I was pissed because it was literally a brand new pack. Oh well, the other 9 cells are good to go. I built a 2s2p pack, and I guess I'll have to build another one unless I can come up with a single cell somehow.

Thanks for all your help.

suicideneil · 11.06.2007, 05:28 PM

I bet it scared you indeed. Could you not source a 2s pack direct from A123? It might be more expensive than a single spare cell someone has laying around, but at least you will have a spare, just incase :P

ClodMaxx · 11.06.2007, 05:42 PM

horizon hobby and a123 sell individual developer cells... although more expensive. $19.95 each.

suicideneil · 11.06.2007, 05:49 PM

$19.95 EACH?!.... ouch.

ClodMaxx · 11.06.2007, 05:52 PM

yep...ouch. but, they are different from the regular cells - i don't remember exactly, but i believe they have the solder tabs already on them so you can attach wires etc. more easily. it still would end up being cheaper to get a dewalt pack... that ends up to $8 to $10 per cell. and you'd have 9 extras.

Finnster · 06:43 PM

I can't see the pic, but I can guess. I accidently shorted mine when I was seperating my first pack. I was trying to get it out of the very tight dewalt case. I was being gentile, but all of a sudden it flew out like a string of sausages, and two cells shorted. #$%#$%#$%#

I ran it anyway. It had a little scorch mark on it. Figured the worst it was going to was be a weak cell. Never got the opportunity to do long term testing as I later overcharged the pack to 5V/cell. I'm the idiot. Tho it ran well for the first few charges. :)

I may have a spare developer cell if you are interested. I first have to go home and count my loose cells and decide how much insurance I need against my stupidity.

MetalMan · 11.06.2007, 07:20 PM

I accidentally shorted out one of my brand new Dewalt packs, all 10 cells. HUGE spark. The pack is still fine though.

johnrobholmes · 11.06.2007, 07:27 PM

I have an extra cell if you need one, PM me if you are still in need.

suicideneil · 11.06.2007, 07:49 PM

Accident prone lot around here.....

kulangflow · 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnster

I can't see the pic, but I can guess....I ran it anyway. It had a little scorch mark on it.

Mine has a hole in the top big enough to allow you to see into the guts of the cell.

I don't feel nearly as bad now knowing that I'm in such good company!

Mr. jonrobholmes, you've got a PM.

Thanks for all your help, guys.

Finnster · 11.07.2007, 01:46 PM

There is a space between the cell and the cap that acts as a vent. Not so sure how big a deal this is to have open. In fact I will find out as I have a cell where the seal around the cap was damaged a bit and now it has a "vented" cap as well. Seems ok tho so far. Lotta battle damage of late...