shorted LiPo, what could go wrong?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: algorithm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2017, 10:12:18 pm
content: so... I was trying to repair a camera, I wanted to put a rechargeable battery on it instead of using disposable batteries.I used an old samsung cell phone battery.I accidentally connected the LiPo phone battery to the battery compartments common mistaking it for 2 separate traces. so I accidentally shorted the battery.It was 30-40 minutes before It dawned on me as I sat inside, and I quickly went outside and disconnected the battery. No smoke or anything...I tested the voltage, and the voltage was still good.Then I foolishly attached the battery right after being shorted to the battery + and -.It burnt the cameras SMD input fuse.So, first off, is it even safe to keep this battery? Its been knocking around for a few weeks and still has no visible signs of damage. it has a plastic case and seems to be hermetically sealed in an aluminum case. so no telling what it looks like on the inside.would it be safe to re-use the battery after that scenario?is the reason the battery is alright (not flaming) due to protection circuitry/being enclosed?advice is greatly appreciated

author: tablatronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2017, 10:13:53 pm
content: When you say aluminum case do you mean plastic and foil? Or hard case?

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2017, 10:29:51 pm
content: The battery will have protection circuit built in, if it didn't and was shorted out for any period of time, exciting things would have happened and it would not be at the same voltage when you checked it.As for the fuse on your device blowing, check polarity, and i assume that you have checked the suitability of voltages.

author: algorithm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2017, 08:22:48 am
content: Quote from: tablatronix on July 17, 2017, 10:13:53 pmsomething like this. I have never taken 1 apart, but Ive seen a video of 1 being taken apart.seemed to be hermetically sealed by the metal enclosure/plastic exterior.Quote from: sleemanj on July 17, 2017, 10:29:51 pmhaha thats what I figured after doing a little research on batteries.well, the camera took 2 AA batteries 1.5v x2 = 3vthe phone battery I tried to use is 3.5vI didnt assume the .5 over could do any harm.the fuse was rated at 2.5A.so, is the battery safe to use despite it having been shorted?thanks again = )

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2017, 08:43:12 am
content: > well, the camera took 2 AA batteries 1.5v x2 = 3vProvided the cells are in series, I'd expect they would be, but there is always the chance it uses them in parallel.> the phone battery I tried to use is 3.5vA lithium-ion cell is typically 4.2v charged. Did you actually measure 3.5v on the cell before you tried it.> I didn't assume the .5 over could do any harm.If the device was designed for operation from 2 AA cells, then it's certainly possible, likely even, that it might fail in some manner at 3.5v, especially when the source is of low impedance like a lithium-ion cell.> so, is the battery safe to use despite it having been shorted?It will have a protection circuit as discussed, if it looks fine and isn't getting hot, and appears to be functioning, I would not be concerned about it any more than any other lithium-ion cell, all of which need to be treated with respect.