Originally Posted by
SeenItAll
My understanding is most Li battery problems arise when the battery is charging. Isn't the simple solution just to remove the power plugs from the PAX compartment? I know this will send a lot of PAX around the bend -- because how can they not work electronically while on the plane, but arrive with a charged battery, and when it is discharged, read some papers. It wasn't so awful during the 20th century.
There are many dangerous failure mechanisms associated with Lithium batteries. Not least of which is charging them below 0 degres Celsius:
"
Many battery users are unaware that consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged below 0°C (32°F). Although the pack appears to be charging normally, plating of metallic lithium can occur on the anode during a sub-freezing charge. This is permanent and cannot be removed with cycling. Batteries with lithium plating are more vulnerable to failure if exposed to vibration or other stressful conditions."
Once this internal damage has occurred, the battery becomes highly volatile, and extremely susceptible to any mechanical shock or vibration. Just moving it can set off an uncontained fire / explosion. And this can happen ANY time after the incorrect charging has occurred.