stevieboy Posted June 22, 2017 Share #1 Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi. I've been using my Q almost exclusively for a few months, abandoned my Ms, though I always knew I'd be back. So I got out my Monochrom (I know this is the M9/M-E section, I have those too, it applies equally to all, and I figure more people will see it here) and went to take out the battery. It was stuck. I managed to gently pry it out after some always gentle effort. Tried another battery, it slipped in just fine. Tried the first battery in the M9, it didn't want to go in there either. I happen to have a set of calipers that I use for something not related, and in the middle just before the block with the contacts sticks up, there was a .04 inch difference between the offending battery and one that was fine. That's 1.016 mm according to the internet! Not a lot, but of course n terms of camera tolerances, quite a bit. I have heard of traditional batteries swelling, didn't know this kind of battery might. OEM Leica batteries, by the way. Anyone else experience anything like this? Edited June 22, 2017 by stevieboy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 Hi stevieboy, Take a look here "swollen" battery. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mikemgb Posted June 22, 2017 Share #2 Posted June 22, 2017 Not Leica, but I have seen swollen batteries on a Nikon. A bad charger was overheating and swelling them, not a good situation at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted June 23, 2017 Share #3 Posted June 23, 2017 Swelling and deformation is, unfortunately, not uncommon with lithium-ion-based batteries. They will also explosively self-combust - "venting with flame" is the industry euphemism... the reason for the very rigorous controls over shipping lithium batteries by air. Those failures can be caused by overcharging in a faulty charger. But they can also happen inherently within the battery, particularly as they age. I've never heard of it happening with a Leica battery, but am certainly not surprised. There's no magic that Leica is able to provide that eliminates those unfortunate battery characteristics. I have an older MacBook Pro which was ruined by an Apple-OEM swollen battery. Most sophisticated lithium-ion batteries have several protection devices built in, including over-current and under-current circuits, a cell balance circuit, as well as physical gas vent mechanisms. As you've discovered, none are foolproof. The best you can do is to use high quality batteries and chargers (preferably OEM) and use them exactly as prescribed. Replace any battery at the first sign of misbehavior. Remove your swollen battery to a safe place. Don't put it in your kitchen trash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rus Posted June 23, 2017 Share #4 Posted June 23, 2017 I've indeed noticed some mild bulging up of one of the M9 batteries that I have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 24, 2017 Share #5 Posted June 24, 2017 one Nikon battery around 10 years old. Recycle yours Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted June 24, 2017 Share #6 Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) When I got my M9 and MM one of the batteries that shipped with the body (can't remember which) would fit in the camera, but neither of the chargers. Leica replaced it. Edited June 24, 2017 by Luke_Miller Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieboy Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted June 28, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Belated thanks for the replies! Leica battery, Leica charger. Not sure if it's really possible with the charger to overcharge, doesn't it sense the charge in the battery and stop charging when full? But I'll pay more attention to how long I leave them in the charger, don't think I left it in for a long time, most recently it was in a camera unused for a few months because I was just the using the Q, and there wasn't a problem with it before that. Glad I pulled the camera out when I did, I suppose it could have gotten worse and I couldn't get it out of there. I bet that would have been an expensive fix! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnySeven Posted July 6, 2017 Share #8 Posted July 6, 2017 Take 1 ibuprofen 400mg every 4 hours, the swelling should go down... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted January 27, 2018 Share #9 Posted January 27, 2018 Another bulged Monochrom battery here. I own two Monochroms, and while they were away for 36 weeks getting new sensors, the batteries went flat. Upon charging using the original Leica charger, one of them bulged. I have an inquiry into Leica to determine if they offer any coverage. Concur on safe storage and disposal. Eric P.S. My old MacBook Pro had a bulged battery as well. It eventually pushed so hard against the interior of the keyboard that the keys would not work. Not cheap to replace either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 28, 2018 Share #10 Posted January 28, 2018 I've had a couple of aftermarket camera batteries (not for a Leica) bulge, and disposed of them promptly. Also had an iPad battery swell, first causing a bit of screen distortion, then lifting the screen off the body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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