What went wrong inside recalled Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks?

Post by datadrivenangel » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 1:40 PM UTC

gosub100 wrote: post #82

mmh0000 wrote: post #55

I have two of these powerbanks, one ordered in 2019 and another in 2021. Amazon sent me scary emails saying these things will kill me. Anker's recall site says I'm not affected and the product is safe to use. I'm not sure who to trust, but I've erred on the side of caution and trashed the batteries. Because it's not worth dying in a fire over $30 in batteries.

The scary thing is you can't put the fire out with water. Your only option is to run.

Post by numpad0 » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 1:49 PM UTC

bboygravity wrote: post #119

phil21 wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep. Anything I get from China, even from a vendor I have done lots of business with in the past gets at minimum random samples inspected and tested when appropriate. Every single shipment, zero exceptions before use. So many things are caught. At best there is a lack of QA on the Chinese side, but it's definitely worse than that. They have no qualms sending you known-bad items, and just see it as "maybe the customer…

I don't get how it's possible that nobody (other than Tesla) can manufacture batteries in the West? It a glance this feels insane. Batteries are in everything and such a basic need. How is it possible that buying through known scammers with tons of QA is still cheaper than manufacturing in the West? Obviously for Tesla it isn't cheaper to buy from China, so why is it thought to be cheaper for the rest of the West? Is…

Post by Abishek_Muthian » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 1:55 PM UTC

acdha wrote: post #220

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #173

I've had my share of spicy pillows ranging from iPad to power bank from upstart company which became spicy after using it for just 3 times[1]. I've been overly cautious of batteries for several years now, I charge my devices with 1A charger and keep it between 40% to 80% . I now carry a single 18650 cell power bank instead of those 10,000 mAh, 20,000mAh power banks. I don't sleep with phone, tablet or kindle on bed a…

Is your house especially warm? I’m not doubting that it happened but I’ve had very different experiences (one battery problem in a couple decades) and am curious what might explain the difference other than bad luck.

Post by Abishek_Muthian » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 2:00 PM UTC

mentalpiracy wrote: post #201

Abishek_Muthian wrote: post #173

I've had my share of spicy pillows ranging from iPad to power bank from upstart company which became spicy after using it for just 3 times[1]. I've been overly cautious of batteries for several years now, I charge my devices with 1A charger and keep it between 40% to 80% . I now carry a single 18650 cell power bank instead of those 10,000 mAh, 20,000mAh power banks. I don't sleep with phone, tablet or kindle on bed a…

This honestly sounds like the electricity service line into your place is fucked slightly and it is gradually destroying your electronics.

Post by ajolly » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 2:15 PM UTC

Zak wrote: post #208

homebrewer wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's still lots of poorly produced electronics that treat NiMH that is within its normal operating voltage as being out of juice, and either nag you or shut down completely. My supposedly high quality Logitech mouse is one example (probably not buying anything from Logitech ever again, they're one of those brands that are coasting on their old credibility).

A device that won't work with NiMH due to voltage will also only use about a third of the energy in an alkaline. Poorly produced is an understatement. My Logitech G604 works fine on NiMH. The calibration for reporting battery charge as a percentage is off, but it runs for months.