Charging Torch Incident: What Could Have Gone Wrong?

asswipe on 20/01/2025 - 14:10
Last edited 20/01/2025 - 17:05 by 2 other users

Hello everyone, I'm reaching out to share an alarming incident I experienced today with my Sofrin IF22A torch, which could have ended in a fire or explosion. I hope you can help me figure out what might have caused this.

Here's what happened: I smelled a fairly strong burning smell then noticed smoke coming from the torch's type C charging port. I had been using the supplied 21700 Sofrin battery. I was using a HUNDA 300W USB C desktop charger (specifically the 100W port) I recently bought from Amazon. To my surprise, it came with a HEYMIX cable included, which has a built-in display showing the watts being drawn. I've been using this charger and cable combo for a few weeks without any issues. The torch typically charged at 10W (as shown on cable display), and once fully charged, it showed 0W. It has been in the charger for about three days, and it had been left unattended part that time.

Both the cable and the charger are still operating as normal. (Yes, I tested them, but I'm hesitant to continue using them.) The torch is fried of course.

I also wanted to get your insights on what component is responsible for preventing the device from overcharging. Is it the charger, or is it a chip in the torch?

I know I am likely at fault or partly. You are welcome to rip into me in the comments. I want to learn from others experiences so that I can be more careful moving forward. Maybe I shouldn’t have kept it in the charger for that long. I was under the impression that she’ll be right because it was showing 0w. Maybe I shouldn’t have left it unattended.

I suspect the torch is at fault, which worries me because I also own a sofrin head torch which I frequently use night fishing.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Link to the charger:

Link to the torch:

Edit: Thanks all for your responses.

Here are some images for those curious:
https://ibb.co/RDNvxxt - you can see the smoke in this pic. (Yes I took a pic before I dealt with it lol)
https://ibb.co/sv2LScG
https://ibb.co/nn7Y93C

Poll Options Sat, 01/02/2025 - 00:00

  • 1
    1. The HUNDA 300W USB C Charger
  • 1
    2. The HEYMIX Cable
  • 15
    3. The Sofrin IF22A Torch
  • 0
    4. The 21700 Sofrin Battery
  • 41
    5. User Error. (Shouldn’t leave these devices in the charger for that long)
  • 0
    6. Other (please specify in comments)
Electrical & Electronics Sofirn Torch

Comments

  • Gdsamp on 20/01/2025 - 14:16
    +1

    Conventional OzB Wisdom would suggest HEYMIX = Fire …..

    • Gunnar on 20/01/2025 - 15:45
      +2

      Heymix cable and a torch that’s been in a charger unattended for three days is just natural selection

  • jv on 20/01/2025 - 14:21
    +5

    it came with a HEYMIX cable included

    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • fantombloo on 20/01/2025 - 14:49
    +4

    Inconclusive and mostly speculative without more comprehensive info.

    OP: start with posting photos, preferably with internals / opened cases on clearly damaged items.

    • eug on 20/01/2025 - 15:03

      Agreed - there is not enough information provided.

    • Loopholio on 21/01/2025 - 14:28

      Yep this. We can't see anything useful in the current photos.

  • neoleo on 20/01/2025 - 15:08
    -1

    I suspect incompatible charger as the torch spec is 5V 3A = 15 watts. Maybe better with small phone charger.

    From the spec I read, the charger has output voltage 20V ??? Maybe that's why the torch became too hot because of increased temperature from charging with the charger.

    • eug on 20/01/2025 - 15:10
      +8

      Devices only draw what they need so amps isn't a concern. Neither is voltage - the USB PD spec requires the connected device to request the voltage it needs. The port provides no voltage until the connected device requests a specific voltage.

  • neoleo on 20/01/2025 - 15:27
    +2

    It has been in the charger for about three days, and it had been left unattended part that time.

    I think this was one of the cause of the torch incident. Overcharging too long. I never have problem with overnight charging with any of my phones in my life.

    "it is possible for the protection circuit in either the battery or flashlight to fail. If this were to happen then your product would be damaged or worse."
    https://help.fenix-store.com/en-US/can-i-leave-my-rechargeab…

    Other answers from google AI overview to avoid overcharging:
    * Use the right cables: Use the cables that are designed for the device you are charging.
    * Plug directly into a wall outlet: Avoid plugging devices into power strips or overloading an outlet.
    * Unplug when full: Unplug the device once it is fully charged.
    * Avoid overnight charging: Don't leave devices charging overnight, especially on surfaces that can build up heat.
    * Use a smart charger: A smart charger uses a microprocessor to regulate the charging process and prevent overcharging.
    * Use the right charger: Use the charger that is designed for the device you are charging.

    • rumblytangara on 20/01/2025 - 19:41
      +3

      I think this was one of the cause of the torch incident. Overcharging too long

      Wut? The 'charging too long' is from the Nickle days where there was a constant trickle charge or the intelligence was built into the charger. With lithiums, unless you are playing with bare naked cells in general the device controls the charging and shuts it down after the battery is considered full.

  • AwesomeAndrew on 20/01/2025 - 15:32
    +1

    Each component has it's own responsibility to protect against faults. The charger needs to protect from short circuits in the cable and the device drawing too much power, and also is responsible for delivering the right voltage. The torch is responsible for charging the battery with the right voltage and currents, and stopping the charge once the battery is full. Usually torches use protected batteries, which are responsible for preventing over charge, over discharge, over current / chort circuit and over temperature.

    Any of these components could have failed and caused the smoke, but the most likely curlprit is the torch. More information would be helpful, such as posting photos of the damaged internals, and also the testing methodology you used on the charger to confirm proper functionality.

  • neoleo on 20/01/2025 - 15:37

    Which surface was it on when it happened? Metal surface? Wood? Etc.

    One sure way to make any rechargeable products become very hot is charging on the bed, under the cushion/pillow 🥵

    • asswipe on 20/01/2025 - 17:05

      Wooden desk

  • Duckie2hh on 20/01/2025 - 15:40

    It has been in the charger for about three days, and it had been left unattended part that time.

    lolololololol

  • bargaino on 20/01/2025 - 15:49
    +5

    To clarify: your USB "charger" is just a fixed-voltage power supply. All the charging brains is inside your torch.

    The torch charging electronics has failed, and released the magic smoke. Could be a design or manufacturing fault.

    It has been in the charger for about three days,

    This is a bad idea for any li-ion device, but especially anything from Aliexpress.
    In theory, the battery manager should not overcharge the cell, but shit happens.
    Avoid charging when you are asleep or not in the house.

    • asswipe on 20/01/2025 - 17:15
      +1

      Thank you for this response. I was soo lucky that I was right next to it when it started failing and not sleeping in bed (located near to my desk where it was in the charger)

  • Protractor on 20/01/2025 - 16:17
    -3

    TLDR
    OP using a bespoke charging system and components which did not come with the unit?

    Lucky you didn't burn the house down.

    • eug on 20/01/2025 - 16:44
      +7

      No. The charger is built into the torch. The torch simply requires a standard USB power supply which OP used.

      That is the entire point of the EU mandating Type C sockets on devices - it is so you can use your existing USB power supply.

      USB power supplies are often called USB chargers because to the general public, a USB power supply will charge a device… so they just call it a charger. It's really a power supply.

  • playerzer2 on 20/01/2025 - 16:32
    +1

    Need MS Paint diagram of charging setup

    • jv on 20/01/2025 - 16:37

      🎨

    • asswipe on 20/01/2025 - 17:06

      I have now edited the post to include images

  • misfitt1911 on 20/01/2025 - 18:57
    +1

    Glad to know there was no fire.

    I think it is also a good idea to connect the charger to a smart plug, which will allow you to set a timer.

  • yoho on 20/01/2025 - 21:25

    Great torch, I have a couple and have given a couple as present. With abundance of caution I will charge while WFH.

  • joshash on 21/01/2025 - 07:37

    Use a proper charger. Make sure your smoke alarms are all up to date and interconnected. Li batteries are no joke when it comes to fire risk.

  • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 21/01/2025 - 07:43

    Bought one thanks.

  • WT on 21/01/2025 - 11:11
    +1

    I have this torch and other 18650/21700 type devices and I will only use the internal charger as a last resort

    Id rather a stand alone charger that can be used via USB from a reputable brand and a power bank that is also reputable. When im away I use an ozito charger on a battery pack

  • tin tin on 21/01/2025 - 11:13

    This is concerning but what I have always done might help mitigate the risk of fire - I only charge things whilst I'm at home, only charge in areas with a smoke alarm nearby, remove chargers once devices are charged, and try to avoid having too many cheap electronics with inbuilt batteries.

  • Navanod66 on 21/01/2025 - 13:16

    Invest in a smart charger if you have any 14500, 18650, 21700 etc. The built-in chargers on the torches are for a quick top-up and convenience, and may shorten the battery lifespan with repeated use.

    Leaving it to charge for 3 days, with a built-in charging circuit of a budget torchlight (it's a great thrower torch, but how much budget would there be left for the built-in charger?), and it's unprotected battery, likely resulted in constant trickle charging and eventual overcharge and overheating.

    Is the torch fried? Or the battery?

  • gyrex on 21/01/2025 - 14:17
    +1

    This is almost certainly a fault of the USB-C charge chip in the torch itself which allowed the cell to overcharge. With a reliable charge chip, leaving the torch plugged in is not an issue and the charge chip will prevent any current flow to the cell.

    Do you have a multimeter and can you check the voltage of the cell?

  • skillet on 21/01/2025 - 16:11
    +1

    A reviewer here tested a faulty IF22A that overcharged the battery to 4.86V which is extremely unsafe for Li based secondary cell.

    https://1lumen.com/review/sofirn-if22a/

    Get a separate battery charger with individual slot temperature sensor. Chargers from LiitoKala, Xtar and Nitecore are budget friendly and dependable.

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