Exploding headtorches
- Thread starter JoW
- Start date
royfellows
Well-known member
Tried the link. Error# 404
Simon Wilson
New member
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2018/02/19/experts%E2%80%99-warning-to-outdoor-fans-as-exploding-headtorch-sparks-glenmore-lodge-blaze
royfellows
Well-known member
Thanks for the corrected links
A lot of cheap Chinese LiIon batteries were, and still are, sold under various "fire" brands, eg Ultrafire, Kinfire, etc
It would be interesting to read the label on the intact cell shown in the photograph.
I always said the "Fire" was very appropriate, but in this case suspect the dangerous combination of faulty or incorrect charger and unprotected cells.
A lot of cheap Chinese LiIon batteries were, and still are, sold under various "fire" brands, eg Ultrafire, Kinfire, etc
It would be interesting to read the label on the intact cell shown in the photograph.
I always said the "Fire" was very appropriate, but in this case suspect the dangerous combination of faulty or incorrect charger and unprotected cells.
jack-randell
New member
I have also had lithium 18650 cells go up in smoke, fortunately without destroying my shed! I don't remember the brand name, but they said all the right things about having a charge/discharge protection circuit. However, on opening the device there was no trace of any protection circuit. I now stick to proper branded Panasonic cells and use an external protection circuit.
royfellows
Well-known member
I have just found this on Fasttech for the grand sum of $7.59.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1602/10037605/8186600-shengfeihuo-sf-t19-led-headlamp-w-focus-zoom
Compare with my blown up Photoshop from the picture in the link.
Now as you can see the battery holder attaches to the lamp by a jackplug socket, so its possible for someone to plug in any mains adaptor with matching jackplug so as to 'charge' the cells without removal. I rather expect that some similar head torches are supplied with an appropriate charger for this purpose.
I have a rule in that if its possible for someone to do something, however daft, sooner or later someone will do it.
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1602/10037605/8186600-shengfeihuo-sf-t19-led-headlamp-w-focus-zoom
Compare with my blown up Photoshop from the picture in the link.
Now as you can see the battery holder attaches to the lamp by a jackplug socket, so its possible for someone to plug in any mains adaptor with matching jackplug so as to 'charge' the cells without removal. I rather expect that some similar head torches are supplied with an appropriate charger for this purpose.
I have a rule in that if its possible for someone to do something, however daft, sooner or later someone will do it.
Attachments
Simon Wilson
New member
I have a friend who says that European electrical safety standards are ridiculous and OTT. He voted for Brexit because he says he wants us to get away from all the EU red tape and he wants to see more trade with the fast growing economies. I said to him that you don't hear the sirens of fire engines anywhere near as often as you used to do, that we made those EU regulations for good reason, I like to be able to feel safe in bed at night and that I hope we don't see a lowering of standards.
royfellows
Well-known member
Well I am sorry to disappoint you but the "CE" marking means nothing.
It is a process of self certification and all of the Chinese imports carry it. In fact it has become a sort of joke as standing for "China Export"
Most electrical products must comply with EU Low Voltage regulations for example. So what is "Low voltage"?
>
Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC)
Article 1 states the Directive covers "any equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for A.C. and between 75 and 1500 V for D.C, other than the equipment and phenomena listed in Annex II."
<
If this makes you sleep less well in your bed I can recommend a good brand of fire extinguisher that of course will comply with EU regulations.
It is a process of self certification and all of the Chinese imports carry it. In fact it has become a sort of joke as standing for "China Export"
Most electrical products must comply with EU Low Voltage regulations for example. So what is "Low voltage"?
>
Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC)
Article 1 states the Directive covers "any equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for A.C. and between 75 and 1500 V for D.C, other than the equipment and phenomena listed in Annex II."
<
If this makes you sleep less well in your bed I can recommend a good brand of fire extinguisher that of course will comply with EU regulations.
andrewmcleod
Well-known member
royfellows said:
What matters is not what the Chinese put on their stuff - they are at liberty (other than copyright law) to stick CE on anything they want.
What matters is that when someone imports something into the EU - and that could just be buying stuff from China - _they_ are responsible for ensuring that it complies with the relevant standards, not that manufacturer. If you buy something from an EU retailer you can expect it to comply to EU standards and they are responsible if it doesn't. If you buy something from China you (not the manufacturer) may be committing an offence if it does not comply with EU standards.
Moral of the story, don't buy from China (he says, having just bought some stuff from China...)
royfellows
Well-known member
Correct
A retailer is legally responsible for what it sells and the retailer will carry the can for anything potentially dangerous.
Issues however arise, as you say, when one buys direct from China.
Having said all of this no seller can control how a product is put to use. See my earlier posts.
I suspect misuse very strongly
A retailer is legally responsible for what it sells and the retailer will carry the can for anything potentially dangerous.
Issues however arise, as you say, when one buys direct from China.
Having said all of this no seller can control how a product is put to use. See my earlier posts.
I suspect misuse very strongly
Maj
Active member
royfellows said:
I think the one you link to is a long way off the one that is shown in the article. Notice the markings on the elastic strap and what appears to be a sidelight adjacent to the main light. It could also be a copy of a known respected brand.
There are quite a few that look a lot closer eg.
https://www.thetradelink.com/Powerful-LED-Head-Torch
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10W-High-Power-Led-Head-Torch-Lamp-Tactical-Zoomable-Headlamp-10000-lm-Cree-3-T6-Fishing/32813085824.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoomable-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Adjustable-Headlight/dp/B076Z81TCG
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=led+head+torch&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1EODB_enGB523GB523&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGnZudmbfZAhUEM8AKHZYKBikQ_AUICygC&biw=1280&bih=709#imgrc=_
Maj.
royfellows
Well-known member
Yes I agree
But my point was the design type whereby 'a charger' appropriate or otherwise, could be plugged direct into the head torch battery box.
I hope that the equipment is taken away for forensic examination and a report duly published. This is how we would really learn from it.
The incident did have the potential to be more serious such as if a person had been sleeping in the room and left the lamp on charge overnight, I think this is likely to be a common practice.
But my point was the design type whereby 'a charger' appropriate or otherwise, could be plugged direct into the head torch battery box.
I hope that the equipment is taken away for forensic examination and a report duly published. This is how we would really learn from it.
The incident did have the potential to be more serious such as if a person had been sleeping in the room and left the lamp on charge overnight, I think this is likely to be a common practice.
David Rose
Active member
I keep my caving gear in my well insulated - and hence, at this time of year, very cold - attic. But I keep my Li-ion rechargeable batteries downstairs. Am I right in thinking this is sensible?
royfellows
Well-known member
As long as they not charged at sub zero it not matters. But straight underground and in use out of say a freezing cold car boot, left outside overnight, and the burn time will suffer.
I posted about this before and displayed some graphs, if I remember right.
Remember, if you use quality cells, you can get data sheets. Most protected quality cells will be OEM Sanyo or Panasonic ( now same company) re labelled and fitted with protection circuits.
Panasonic sell retail protected cells, recommended.
I posted about this before and displayed some graphs, if I remember right.
Remember, if you use quality cells, you can get data sheets. Most protected quality cells will be OEM Sanyo or Panasonic ( now same company) re labelled and fitted with protection circuits.
Panasonic sell retail protected cells, recommended.
