Can you help me revive a dead battery?

[6_6_6]

Hello everyone,

I think it has been 2 decades since I last wrote here

I have a vaping device that I love. It is discontunued and all new ones being shipped is coming with a dead battery.

How do I go about reviving this battery? I put the voltmeter on the solders behind the board and it is reading 6.85 volts. So I think the battery cut itself off and the board is not recognizing it.

The problem is exactly this:

I have 2 unites just received brand new, and 1 brand new unused one. All of them are the same.

Many thanks!

 

[Bluejets]

Voltage for a 3s pack at that level is beyond revival.
6.85/3 = 2.28V per cell......
About all you can do is take off the plastic wrapper and see which type of cell they are and go from there.
I suspect there are 3 x 18650 cells.

 

[6_6_6]

On the pic it says 18550. I have watched 0 volts batteries revived. Why not this one?

 

[Martaine2005]

This is NOT recommended.
You can jump start some dead batteries.
Use a 9 to 12v DC battery and jump yours for only ONE second. A tiny spark may be seen. Then try charging with your charger. Repeat a couple of times if it doesn’t work first time.
You may need to jump it while connected to the pcb if first method doesn’t work.
You are doing this entirely at your own risk..
I regularly have to do this with my tool batteries because a site radio drains them beyond charge level.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

Yes I know the risks. I am not an idiot. I could have just thrown these all away in a heartbeat if I could buy new device or find the same battery somewhere. I am not comfortable to tinker with something like this so close to my face or my important organs.

But I have no options. I will do some tests afterwards. Check if it is losing voltage faster than it is supposed to, etc and use it only afterwards.

I read 30 pages techincal documents about dentrides and ICS, etc

 

[6_6_6]

Martaine, how do I jump it connected to my PCB?
In other method I should desolder it (and remove the plug going to PCB)?

 

[Martaine2005]

No, jump it from the connector red and black wires.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

Okay mate, but the connector is so small. For example, I can not see the metal parts on the white plastic plug. How to jumpstart it?

 

[Martaine2005]

You have to use your imagination!.
Push wires into connector?
Hold wires to bottom of connector on pcb?
Remove a bit of wire insulation and make your connections?
Remove battery heat shrink to get to connections?
Push pin headers on connector?
Many many ways.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

Yes there are many ways, but I am sure one of them would blow it up on my face, I am no experienced in this like you

Got the point. Will figure it out. Let me get 9v battery first.

What are the wires going from battery to the PCB (soldered on PCB)?

 

[Martaine2005]

What are the wires going from battery to the PCB (soldered on PCB)?

Sorry, I didn’t notice those. Use those wires to jump the battery.

 

[6_6_6]

Ok but they are soldered Martin. How do I do this? Do I touch the solders from the back side of PCB?

 

[Martaine2005]

Yes. Just be careful not to short the battery.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

Ok this makes it a whole lot easier. But doesn't this burn the PCB?

One last question: I have an AC/DC adapter for router, taking in 220 volts and outputing 12 volts 0.5 amperes. Can I cut the ends and use this to jumpstart it?

Again, I will be extremely careful. I know electricity is not joke. I have dry powder fire extinguisher ready and I will do this on concrete.

And thanks again for putting up with my novice questions.

 

[Martaine2005]

But doesn't this burn the PCB?

No, you will only be one second.
Attach wires to your power source then have a wire in each hand. Hold one wire with your thumb, pressing it on the pcb connection. Then with your other hand touch the other wire to the other connection.
The adapter may work. I have never tried. I always have other tool batteries available.
No reason why it shouldn’t though. Make sure you get the polarity correct.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

All clear. I also found a 9V battery that reads 9.20V on multimeter. So I can use that one too. I will get to it tomorrow morning.

 

[Martaine2005]

Let us know how you get on.

Martin

 

[6_6_6]

It is like jump starting a bloody car!

Every time I am doing, it is increasing a bit. Using 9V battery.

From 6.85 I went to 7.08. Yes I tested many times before, never seen over 6.85.

No sparks. I do 10 secs each time now.

 

[Martaine2005]

Ok, try a bigger battery. 12v or the adaptor.

Martin

 

[Bluejets]

Whatever you do, short of blowing the innards, will do nothing to revive a lithium cell which has discharged below a set level.
The cells obviously have internal damage which will only be exaserbated by exposing to unregulated high current /voltages.