Li-Ion Batteries

[1234]

As a first time builder, and relatively new to electronic modifications, are Li-Ion batteries dangerous to use? What should one be weary of when working with Li-ion batteries?

Thanks guys! And I'm new to the board. Howdy from Canada! And hope to get to know you all over time - y'all seem like an interesting bunch.

[snowpenguin]

Lithium ion batteries should never be used, charged, stored, or anything, without there protection circuits, or they can explode. If for some reason there is no protection circuit on your battery, DO NOT INPUT VOLTAGE OR CURRENT, I REEAT DO NOT INPUT VOLTAGE OR CURRENT. That's pretty mush all there is to safety with these things

[collinE]

that may be a slight exaggeration of how dangerous they are, but for the most part correct. The only time they'll definitely explode on you is if you overcharge them. I'd recommend always using the protection circuit like snow penguin recommended, but also using a smart charger for lithium batteries as added protection.

welcome to the forums. good luck with your portable.

[1234]

alright. Thanks a lot guys.

[bacteria]

As I recall, if a Li-ion cell goes under 3v it permanently harms the cell. If a cell gets charged over 4.25v it will explode. A protection circuit does three things: stops the cell going under 3v, going over about 4.15v and also if the battery shorts, to cut it out too (a quick recharge for a few seconds resets the circuit ok). In a battery pack you typically have 2 cells, yielding 7.2v / 7.4v (about 8.25v after full charge)