Charger shorted or battery or both?

[silkstone1]

I (stupidly) left my charger in my bag with a battery inside. I didn't use the charger all day and when I got home, the charger had melted.
I'm guessing that I shorted it somehow, though I'm not sure how as it was away from anything metallic.
I didn't check it before putting it in my bag this morning, but I doubt that i'd have missed that amount of melting, so I can only think that something must have shorted out the usb cable while the battery was in.

I examined the battery for signs of damage and it seems fine, it's still giving a readout of about 4 V (IMR 18490 3.7V 11000mAh)

Do you think that it is still safe to use the battery or charger?

 

[DRock1984]

I'm sure there will be some more expert advise from some of the veterans on here but imo I would not use that charger anymore. It doesn't even look like you can really.

 

[dice57]

hmm, seems to be the same time as when the elephant sat on the fence, and when humpty dumpty fell.

Does appear like a great reason for a decent upgrade though just thinking.

 

[silkstone1]

It's a micro-usb port and it appears to be working, though i'm wondering if I should be monitoring the output voltage or something.
I'm a little more concerned about the battery, assuming it was a short due to the battery, that can't have done it much good.

Edit - Chargers are difficult to get hold of here, but I think the shop has a slightly bigger one (room for 2 batteries) in stock.
The charger is a joytech one that is supposedly designed for these batteries.

 

[drunkenbatman]

I understand if chargers are difficult to get ahold of, but your battery was able to complete a circuit while in it and the wiring became so hot it melted the insulation. If that's able to happen, you simply can't trust what's going on internally -- it could be as simple as a screw in it shorting.

However, Joytechs for a good while had issues with overheated while charging to the point that they would melt (v3 and earlier I think)... is there any chance this didn't happen in your bag, but rather while charging and you didn't notice when you were quickly tossing it in your bag to leave?

 

[silkstone1]

yes, it is a possibility. I don't think I left the charger plugged in over night, but it could have happened before bed.

I had noticed I'd put a larger battery in the wrong way yesterday, but the charger shuts down when that happens and there was no damage. I will replace the charger tomorrow as I don't want to risk it, but I'm a little concerned about my batteries. I'm always quite paranoid with them as apart from examining them for physical damage, I'm not sure how else to know whether they are dying or dangerous.

 

[drunkenbatman]

I had noticed I'd put a larger battery in the wrong way yesterday, but the charger shuts down when that happens and there was no damage. I will replace the charger tomorrow as I don't want to risk it, but I'm a little concerned about my batteries. I'm always quite paranoid with them as apart from examining them for physical damage, I'm not sure how else to know whether they are dying or dangerous.

That seems prudent, I don't know what you have access to there but Joytech & chargers often isn't a good mix and I'd hope there was something decent you could pick up for a decent price. You're right to worry about your batteries, but it doesn't look like they have become undervolted or such -- about the best you can do is really watch them closely while in use, don't leave unattended while charging and check their voltage regularly (especially when they come off the charger).