Exploded NiCd Batteries

[[email protected]]

While attempting a home-charge of a set of NiCd batteries, they were
left unattended and consequently exploded (relatively high current was
flowing through them). The basement area in which the explosion took
place is currently being ventilated overnight.

Does anyone have any recommendations for further safety precautions or
clean-up procedures?

Thanks

 

[Eeyore]

While attempting a home-charge of a set of NiCd batteries, they were
left unattended and consequently exploded (relatively high current was
flowing through them). The basement area in which the explosion took
place is currently being ventilated overnight.

Does anyone have any recommendations for further safety precautions or
clean-up procedures?

You may find that info on a NiCd batery manufacturer's site.

You could also check Wikipedia for the chemistry used in the battery.

Graham

 

[Jim Land]

[email protected] wrote in 51g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:

While attempting a home-charge of a set of NiCd batteries, they were
left unattended and consequently exploded (relatively high current was
flowing through them). The basement area in which the explosion took
place is currently being ventilated overnight.

Does anyone have any recommendations for further safety precautions or
clean-up procedures?

The chemicals you're dealing with in a typical Ni-Cad battery are:

Nickel & Nickel Hydroxide
Cadmium & Cadmium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Cobalt Hydroxide

I would wear rubber gloves when cleaning this stuff up! Wipe down all
surfaces and rinse with water. Dispose of all cleaning materials.

 

[Guest]

[email protected] wrote in 51g2000cwl.googlegroups.com:


The chemicals you're dealing with in a typical Ni-Cad battery are:

Nickel & Nickel Hydroxide
Cadmium & Cadmium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Potassium Hydroxide
Cobalt Hydroxide

I would wear rubber gloves when cleaning this stuff up! Wipe down all
surfaces and rinse with water. Dispose of all cleaning materials.

The potassium hydroxide (35%) is the worst component
in NiCd batteries. Rinse splattered areas with as much
water as you can.

 

[Dr. Anton T. Squeegee]

The potassium hydroxide (35%) is the worst component
in NiCd batteries. Rinse splattered areas with as much
water as you can.

And, in times to come, it might be wise to follow the battery
manufacturer's recommendations for charging procedures, especially the
current level.

If you're paranoid, you can rig a sort of "charging chamber" with
some hollow-center cinder blocks. That will at least confine the damage
if it happens again.

I'm guessing no one was hurt.

Keep the peace(es).

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I especially like the "follow manufacturers instructions" part.
Just need to overcome my "reading inhibitions". ooo

FWIW, this happened because I was doing a fast charge.
I'm usually very careful to stop the process as soon as there
is any heat.

But this time I got called to dinner when I should have been
watching the stew. Actually more like pop-corn!

On a more serious note, I am reminded about how familiarity breeds
contempt and can often lead to compromising safety.

Anyway, cleaned up the mess. No real harm seems to have been
done except I prolly blew up about $60.00 worth of nicad cells.


DOC
Have robots. Will travel. http://www.robot-one.ca

 

[Captain Midnight]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I especially like the "follow manufacturers instructions" part.
Just need to overcome my "reading inhibitions". ooo

FWIW, this happened because I was doing a fast charge.
I'm usually very careful to stop the process as soon as there
is any heat.

But this time I got called to dinner when I should have been
watching the stew. Actually more like pop-corn!

On a more serious note, I am reminded about how familiarity breeds
contempt and can often lead to compromising safety.

Anyway, cleaned up the mess. No real harm seems to have been
done except I prolly blew up about $60.00 worth of nicad cells.

I use a timer as a fail safe. Relatively cheap.

 

[Jim Land]

[email protected] wrote in

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I especially like the "follow manufacturers instructions" part.
Just need to overcome my "reading inhibitions". ooo

FWIW, this happened because I was doing a fast charge.
I'm usually very careful to stop the process as soon as there
is any heat.

But this time I got called to dinner when I should have been
watching the stew. Actually more like pop-corn!

On a more serious note, I am reminded about how familiarity breeds
contempt and can often lead to compromising safety.

Anyway, cleaned up the mess. No real harm seems to have been
done except I prolly blew up about $60.00 worth of nicad cells.

We're all SO glad you don't work in a mutions factory...