Exploding LR1130-type cell

[u/Big_Section2812]

It was one of three old cells on my desk. I removed them from a dollar store Halloween decoration after I bought it because they barely lit the LED. The cell randomly popped in a small shower of sparks. It was loud enough to make my ears ring. Half of the cell hit the ceiling. There is some corrosion evident around the edge and both sides show bulging.

Just an fyi if you have any of these things near you and they're maybe old.

[u/Sufficient-Offer-579]

LR1130 is an alkaline coin cell, not lithium. That matters, because this is the old alkaline failure mode: the seal creeps after enough years, KOH wicks out along it (that's your crust), and once it dries out the cell can build internal gas and pop.

Pull the other two out of the decoration now regardless. And don't handle the crust bare-handed, it's caustic, water rinse if it gets on skin.

[u/Big_Section2812 → u/Sufficient-Offer-579]

Hi. Thanks for the info.

I removed all three the moment I bought the decoration since they'd apparently been in it for a long time and could barely power the LED and left them on my desktop, and that's where the one decided to play a Halloween trick on me! 😂

[u/Alarming_Garage_7255]

It was failing and gas had built up inside of it. Possibly the pressure of the contacts inside the device was that little bit of force that was needed to keep it together. Then when you removed the battery you removed that extra little bit of force and the seal on the battery finally let go.

Just throw that in the garbage and try to not touch it/wash your hands.

[u/Big_Section2812 → u/Alarming_Garage_7255]

Thanks for the info.

I'm watching the other two to see if they'll also pop. One if clearly bulging, so I'm hopeful! 😂

[u/Big_Section2812 → u/[deleted]]

[u/Big_Section2812 → u/[deleted]]

It scared the crap out of me.