Does This Phone's Lithium Battery Looks Inflated Abnormally? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 06:51:28 pm
content: Stopped using Samsung old cellular phone long time ago and then it was a little bigger than normal. Recently pulled out battery from phone's storage box and saw battery in its overinflated state. Look on pictures below and tell me if it looks abnormal to you and if I could sue my cellular carrier who sold me this phone. What could be the worst case scenario with this battery safety-wise?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 07:01:05 pm
content: Might be one of those that are subject to a recall, though you will have to check Samsung's website and look for any recall. Otherwise Googhle your model and battery recall and see if there is a result.Otherwise you are SOL and need a new battery.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 07:05:20 pm
content: That is what lithium does when it goes bad, I wouldn't keep it inside like that, when they get puffy they can go into flame.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 07:10:47 pm
content: What's with this "sue everyone" policy that many people seem to have? It used to be mostly US in origin, but it's making it's way over to the UK too. The battery hasn't failed in a harmful manner and hasn't harmed anyone? Surely you can only sue if it were actually to fail in a way that caused significant monetary loss / injury / death?When a battery fails like this, it is because the anode has produced excessive oxygen causing the expansion of the casing. The battery casing is designed to expand safely. The risk occurs if the casing gets too big, it can rupture and expose the cathode to atmospheric oxygen causing rapid heating/fire/flames.Most likely the battery is simply scrap and needs to be replaced.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 07:58:50 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on December 22, 2013, 07:10:47 pmIn Israel as wellAmericanization it is...Thanks for nice explanation.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2013, 08:06:49 pm
content: Quote from: Boris_yo on December 22, 2013, 06:51:28 pmThe worst? Hmm... Well, it could catch fire in your pocket while you are in a car with your whole family, in heavy traffic on sloppy, icy roads. You scream in pain and jump, swerving into the next car, and slide off the road on a patch of ice. Then the car you hit, in an attempt to right himself, also comes flying towards you, and hits you. By that time, the battery has succeeded in burning your balls off. Both cars go up in flames and you all die. Then a bird shits on the car, just because.If that happens, your ghost can come back and sue, or at least haunt. But for now, you should just discard it and get another.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 08:29:49 am
content: Quote from: Boris_yo on December 22, 2013, 06:51:28 pmYou could post that picture on an electronics forum, and ask if swollen lithium battery syndrome could give you an excuse to sue someone.Thus making yourself look like a very silly, petty and small-minded person. Your reputation could suffer severe burns, safety-wise.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 08:42:54 am
content: QuoteToo late, allready happened

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 08:43:05 am
content: Quote from: Boris_yo on December 22, 2013, 06:51:28 pmHow about next time you keep batteries properly stored in a charged state? I think manual on that device advises to charge the battery before it's put to storage. Extending lithium battery storage life has been discussed before here also. Best way to store lithium based rechargeable battery is at 80% charge state near 0°C (degrees celsius), never let it freeze. Higher the temperature faster it loses capacity.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 08:50:23 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on December 22, 2013, 08:06:49 pmNo bus-load of Nuns... Nun Soup.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 11:03:56 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertzYou really think I was serious when I said that?Quote from: Legit-Design on December 23, 2013, 08:43:05 amRegarding laptop batteries, I heard it must be 40% and be kept in cool, dark place.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 11:34:12 am
content: Quote from: Boris_yo on December 23, 2013, 11:03:56 amTwo possibilities:1. Yes, you were. See above.2. You weren't. Add 'troll' to above.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2013, 11:58:36 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on December 23, 2013, 11:34:12 am3. You were, but then you realized in bad judgement and fell back upon 2. as a clutch excuse.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2013, 09:57:25 pm
content: Excessive heat can cause Lithium ION batteries to swell. If you left the phone in the sun or in a very hot environment then this could happen. When this occurs, dispose of the battery properly ASAP and replace.