Magicshine Batteries - Potential Problem ?

[fossyant]

Thread running on MTBR.........

MTBR Link

Geomangear has issued a recall on these batteries.

Thoughts ?

I've got two, and run my rear lights off these, but do recharge whilst supervised, and don't fully discharge them. Thoughts of them catching fire in the 'garage' are a little worry ?

Care advice sheet.........

Battery Care

 

[potsy]

Buy cheap buy twice

 

[Wobblers]

I've heard quite a few reports of problems with Magicshine batteries - there's several people over on BikeRadar with dead batteries. I suspect cheap cells coupled with poor construction is to blame. Li-ion batteries are most likely to catch fire when recharged - if you keep an eye on them whilst on the charger you should be okay. But if the battery gets hot or if they take very much longer than usual to fully charge, turn off the charger immediately.

 

[fossyant]

TBH It's relatively easy to knock up a home brew battery pack from quality Li-ion batteries, or even from a AA battery holder pack - use 6 x 1.2v rechargeable AA's - packs available from many electronic shops and splice in the MS connector. Recharge the AA's using your usual AA charger (then you've got properly charged cells).

I may just give this a go as I have a spare MS splitter and tonnes of rechargeable AA's.

One main point is not to discharge fully. Ideally keep them topped up. The issue is the charger can't balance the 4 batteries properly, so don't expect the packs to last a long time (which isn't a problem as they are cheap/easy to replace).

 

[fossyant]

Parts bought for 2 x battery packs:- Parts from Maplin as I was passing this morning.

2x3 AA holder (6 cells) to give 7.2v from 6 rechargeables - £1.09 each (arranged 3 cells one side, 3 cells the other
Rigid PP3 Clip - £0.89 (covers PP3 terminals completely)

Shrink Wrap - couple of metres of two sizes to seal in wires/joins

One MS splitter which will be spliced into the new battery packs to give the correct female connector

And........ some additional AA 2500mah rechargeables.

Will post some pics when complete !

 

[BSRU]

Is this a problem for Geomangear Magicshine's or all Magicshines?

Since I bought mine from their official UK dealer I would expect free replacements, since they are less than a year old. I will email them and find out their position.

 

[fossyant]

It's an issue with every single Magicshine - the problem is the charger and or battery.

The reason Geomangear has issued a recall on the one's he's sold is in the US they are 'sh1t hot' on the liability stuff.

For us, it's tough luck, unless DX, other retailers, or the manufacturer actually sort the problem.

Don't know how bad the problem is. Main issues are poor chargers (mine are fine and only get slightly warm on charging) and a potential for the batteries to fail from poor construction (e.g. water ingress/poor soldering). Also it's impossible for the batteries to be fully 'balanced' when charging - so some cells may over charge, some under as there are four cells in each pack, which have a limited protection circuit. That can lead to battery failure, low run times, and potentially a 'heat' issue (explosion) - all worse case scnario.

Mine came direct from DX so may mail them about it.

Replacing the pack with AA's works out a very cheap solution.

I'm just cautious about the pack igniting at work/home whilst charging, or going off when I've got £xxxxx's of bikes and stuff in my garage, especially as the batteries live inside my panniers (lots of combustable material).

 

[BSRU]

It's an issue with every single Magicshine - the problem is the charger and or battery.

The reason Geomangear has issued a recall on the one's he's sold is in the US they are 'sh1t hot' on the liability stuff.

For us, it's tough luck, unless DX, other retailers, or the manufacturer actually sort the problem.

Don't know how bad the problem is. Main issues are poor chargers (mine are fine and only get slightly warm on charging) and a potential for the batteries to fail from poor construction (e.g. water ingress/poor soldering). Also it's impossible for the batteries to be fully 'balanced' when charging - so some cells may over charge, some under as there are four cells in each pack, which have a limited protection circuit. That can lead to battery failure, low run times, and potentially a 'heat' issue (explosion) - all worse case scnario.

Mine came direct from DX so may mail them about it.

Replacing the pack with AA's works out a very cheap solution.

I'm just cautious about the pack igniting at work/home whilst charging, or going off when I've got £xxxxx's of bikes and stuff in my garage, especially as the batteries live inside my panniers (lots of combustable material).

I already, through my own knowledge, follow the battery care procedure advised in than leaflet, shame it is not supplied with the batteries. I charge my batteries every day I use them and I know how long they take to charge, I always turn them off just after the finish, never noticed any heating up problems. The only thing I did not know was you should not charge Li-ion below zero degrees.
The drop of in time they work is noticable and getting worse, I was already thinking about using a 12v 9800mAh li-ion battery, which has its own safety circuitry and I use a separately bought smart charger that also prevents overcharging.
If I can get some money back, from Magicshine UK, for the faulty batteries I will purchase some more 12v 9800mAh batteries as permanent replacements.

 

[fossyant]

Same here mate with charging, having used Lead Acid batteries for many years with the early 'big' lights.....

My AA packs are done - just twisted connector wires together and insulated then shrink wrapped. Work just as bright as the MS battery, although lower run time. Used the existing fabric case also.

 

[BSRU]

I had a reply from MagicShine UK, they stated they have been trying to contact GeoMan but they are not replying to any emails, they also contacted the US Safety Commission but they knew nothing of the recall.
Just have to wait for GeoMan's next update, I am just assuming they are being overly cautious, too worried about possible litigation.

 

[gaz]

I had a reply from MagicShine UK, they stated they have been trying to contact GeoMan but they are not replying to any emails, they also contacted the US Safety Commission but they knew nothing of the recall.
Just have to wait for GeoMan's next update, I am just assuming they are being overly cautious, too worried about possible litigation.

Let me know how that goes, as i got one battery from magicshine uk.

 

[cyberknight]

From the pics i have seen it looks like the old style battery pack, the leaky one.

I intend as and when santa comes to get an extension lead and keep the battery in the pannier bag.

The new MS batteries are a lot better and should be ok.

Reading further it seems to be an issue with the li-ion batteries worldwide rather than just MS

http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2006/09/7858.ars

7 million batteries recalled in total so its not just about buying a "cheap " light and getting stung.

 

[Broadside]

I agree with you cyberknight, this is a general problem not Magicshine specific. Now we have been told, we should be careful but I think if this was a big problem someone in the UK would have suffered from the problem already.

 

[Inertia]

From the pics i have seen it looks like the old style battery pack, the leaky one.

I havent seen any pictures yet, do you have any links? Ive been storing mine in a biscuit tin since I heard

 

[cyberknight]

Further reading ..........they go boom if your overcharging, could it be that the Americans are running scared and do not want to be sued by people who can`t RTFM so issued a recall.
Kind of reminds me of the guy who crashed his toyota because the accelerator stuck and did not work out he could have took it out of gear ,not that anyone getting injured is nice .



8. A battery that has been over charged or discharged can become unstable and result in
high temperatures or even fire. For safety sake, when charging the battery-pack, remove
from the bike, and place in a fire proof container. Always charge in an isolated area, away
from other flammable materials. For instance a wooden work bench, carpet etc.
9. Another safety issue is cold temperature charging. Li-ion batteries cannot be charged
when they are below 0°C (32°F). Although the packs appear to be charging normally,
plating of metallic lithium occurs on the anode while on a sub-freezing charge. The plating
is permanent and cannot be removed. If done repeatedly, such damage can compromise
the safety of the pack.
10. The battery will become more vulnerable to failure if subjected to impact, crush or high
rate charging.

Old battery..

new battery in a sealed case