From the ELECTRO-HORROR PICTURE SHOW Dept...![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=1217337;image)
So, this morning I dug a dual 18650 charger that came with a cheap flashlight out of the project drawer; plan was to gut it and make a jig for my big LiPo charger for IR testing of all the cells I've been busting out of these reclaimed laptop packs. Things started out a bit funny, what with the Chinglish and all...
*snerk* I swear, that is
not PhotoShopped...
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=1217341;image)
Okay... cheapest possible single-layer phenolic PCB, hair-thin unrated vinyl-clad wires and pre-rusted contacts on the mains voltage: Definitely not that funny.
![Shocked :o](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/shocked.gif)
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=1217343;image)
But here's the real Horror Show. Yup: Those parallel contacts are stamped out of the same bit of steel.
I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, except this charger isn't for your run-of the mill AA batteries; it's for 18650 Li-Ion cells which can deliver a lot of current, especially the low IR ones usually used for high-wattage LED flashlights which use a boost regulator.
When someone accidentally puts one of 2 cells in backwards... or even if they accidentally put a fully-charged one in with a dead one correctly... the current flow will be quite enough to make those little springs into cherry-red heating elements and release all those angry pixies at once. Made of cheapest-possible probably recycled ABS plastic shell, this thing is a fire just looking for a chance to happen.
![Scared :scared:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/scared.gif)
Well, now we know why
FPRBID TO INVERT... if only
HONG DONG had bothered to check with somebody who actually speaks the language where they're exporting this garbage to.
![Huh? ???](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/huh.gif)
But wait, it gets better... that charging IC is a 300mA/MAX 400mA part, on a 650mA-rated charger... and
sorry bd, that's a MJE13003, so no prize for you, either. ![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif)
This "charger" set off alarm bells the moment I took it out of the box; I just threw in in the back of a drawer as I have numerous well-rated name-brand standalone chargers on hand. Jeebus, I am glad I never did plug this thing in, even to see if it lit up...
![Face Palm :palm:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)
mnem
HOTCHIP: For when it absolutely, positively has to be MADE OF FIRE ...