We hopped on a call with Milwaukee, to discuss a new safety warning they were putting out regarding their M18 9.0Ah battery pack. The new warning will be added to product manuals, and although it singles out the M18 HD 9.0Ah battery pack, it’s a good practice to keep in mind for ALL Li-ion battery packs.
Basically, the warning says this – do not allow highly conductive or corrosive liquids to get inside an M18 9.0Ah battery pack. Doing so could lead to short-circuiting, which could lead to very dangerous reactions. We’re guessing this means fire, explosions, and the potential for bodily harm.
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What counts as a highly conductive or corrosive chemical? Salt water, bleach or bleach-containing cleaners, as an example.
It was stressed that these battery packs are safe to use, and that ANY liquid infiltration is already warned against. But given that these battery packs have greater energy capacity, there is increased potential for harm.
Why now? Milwaukee mentioned wanting to stay on top of things, and that this is a campaign to educate users. They see it as their responsibility to do so. They also said that they have a commitment to continued improvement, and regularly conducts internal testing.
If highly conductive or corrosive chemicals get inside a battery pack, and if they cross contacts or otherwise cause a short circuit or other such failure, it could lead to unpredictable failure, even days later.
They stressed that under no circumstances should anyone even think of intentionally testing one of these batteries to failure. That was mostly aimed at the media and reviewers who regularly push tools to their limits, but it’s still worth repeating.
Every now and then there are news reports of exploding battery packs. This usually happens when a battery pack is not designed properly, charged properly, or if it’s abused.
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Keep your battery packs away from highly conductive or corrosive liquids. You should be keeping them away from some fluids anyways. Even if they wouldn’t bring a battery pack to catastrophic failure, exposure might at the least damage your tools.
This whole situation is unusual and even a little strange, but it’s better for Milwaukee to be up front about this. I wish we were told more about the “why” behind the all-of-a-sudden educational campaign.
We were also told that Milwaukee sees the industry changing, with more warnings to follow in the wake of higher and higher capacity battery packs, and that they’re trying to stay in front of it.
To sum it up, avoid exposing your high energy battery packs (or any battery pack) to highly conductive or corrosive fluids (or any liquid).
While we’re talking about warnings, be sure to read tool and battery user manuals, it’s a good practice.
Here is some notable info from their Safety Notice FAQ page:
We are expanding the instructions and warnings to inform users of potential risks when highly conductive or corrosive fluids enter the M18 HIGH DEMAND 9.0 battery pack.
Rainwater is typically not a highly conductive or corrosive fluid. However, rainwater may still degrade the performance and life of your M18 HIGH DEMAND 9.0 battery pack. In an abundance of caution, we recommend disconnecting the M18 HIGH DEMAND 9.0 battery pack from any tool or charger and call us at: 1-844-577-5515 (7:00am – 10:00pm Eastern time Sunday – Saturday) to receive further instructions.
You do not need to return any of the instructions or warnings that accompanied your M18 HIGH DEMAND 9.0 battery pack. You simply need to get a copy of the expanded warnings and instructions and read them. You can download them here: www.milwaukeetool.com/expandedinstructions.
Milwaukee Tool continuously looks at ways to improve battery pack performance and to further reduce the likelihood of potential risks and hazards when using our products. While we are always looking at ways to improve our products, you should still read and always follow the warnings and instructions that come with your product for proper usage.
MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 29, 2017 – In consultation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), Milwaukee Tool is voluntarily expanding the warnings and instructions of its M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 battery pack (model no. 48-11-1890). The expanded product warnings address situations that could lead to a battery pack failure and/or other safety hazards. This safety notice does not require users to return their M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 battery packs.Should highly conductive or corrosive fluids get inside the M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 battery pack in sufficient quantities, it can cause battery pack failure. Failure can include short-circuit which, in the extreme situation, can result in smoking or fire, even when not in use. Examples of highly conductive or corrosive fluids include seawater, certain industrial chemicals and bleach or bleach-containing products.
Because Milwaukee Tool is committed to continuously improving safety, quality and customer satisfaction for the professional trades, the company is proactively taking immediate action, issuing expanded warnings and instructions for the M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 battery pack.
Milwaukee Tool is urging its customers to download, read and understand the expanded warnings and instructions in their entirety at milwaukeetool.com/safetynotices, where they will also find frequently asked questions and answers.
Any customers who believe highly conductive or corrosive fluids have entered their M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 battery pack should immediately contact Milwaukee Tool at 1-844-577-5515 (7am to 10pm Eastern Time Sunday through Saturday).
More Info(via Milwaukee Tool)
fred
So maybe we need to start storing our batteries in spots that are not likely to flood – especially if the flood would be seawater.
On a recent post about a Dewalt steel tool chest – someone suggested that the chest would be better if the front of the box folded down. I commented that while Knaack makes boxes that do just that, we were happy with the seamless Knaack boxes we had – and in one case arriving to see our boxes in a flooded basement on a jobsite – we were happy that our tools inside were still dry.
fred
I did a quick search of the Internet to see if there was some news about a recent battery fire that might have triggered this action. I found items about the incident on a Jet Blue flight at the end of May and this:
http://www.consumerreports.org/product-safety/whats-behind-the-increase-in-lithium-ion-battery-fires-on-planes/
John S
There is already a ban on lithium batteries in checked baggage due to incidents like this. Presumably they are restricted to carryon because if they do happen to catch on fire someone can do something about it and put it out unlike being locked in the under side hull.
This is why the proposed ban on laptops and lithium batteries in the carry on and instead the backwards requirement of it being in checked baggage for international is asinine and in no way is going to be “safer”:
https://www.cnet.com/news/us-official-considers-laptop-ban-on-all-international-flights/
Jonathan
It’s also the reason most cordless tools that ship with LiON ship ground and have to be labeled that contents are LION.
Additionally it’s been a concern with larger and larger battery packs, i.e. DEWALT 40V OPE the backpack blowers can ship with 7.5Ah 40V a lot of OPE can be exposed to abuse by crews, are exposed to high heat, rain, dust and drops, some are used in close proximity to torso and head, hedge trimmer, chainsaw, and the new 60v DEWALT cordless tools, that’s a lot of individual cells that power everything from flashlights, hooverboards, Teslas.
So there is a risk involved, and that’s a big reason I don’t use aftermarket replacement batteries for any of cordless tools, from 12v Fuel to 40V DEWALT OPE and Ryobi 40V OPEN.
The Milwaukee rep did tell me about all the safety that is incorporated into their batteries to minimize the dangers.
John S
I was specifically talking about loading “full” ToughBox’s into the steel chest. Those are already weather sealed tight on their own.
Bremon
I think you’ll find that’s pretty hit and miss, at least I can assure you not all of my 17 or so ToughSystem boxes aren’t air/water tight.
fred
I apologize that I missed your point – and I guess Dewalt should have a market for jobsite box that would accommodate their ToughBoxes with the easy lift-in that you talked about.
What I wanted tos comment on was why I thought most of the jobsite boxes seem to have a seamless “bathtub-like design”.
Bret
I have 4 M-18 9.0 sitting dead or partially dead next to me. We got caught in a light rain and didn’t think anything would be a problem. Well, not so…. $800 worth of useless batteries. I have about $18,000 in Milwaukee tools, tool boxes and batteries in my van. But I’m beginning to regret purchasing the tools simply because of the battery failures. It’s Saturday, Monday I’m taking the batteries to a Milwaukee repair center near Cleveland but am guessing I’m SOL. All of the batteries are 2-3 years old but I doubt I can find the receipts. I did register the tools they came with so home fully. 🙁
Chris
I would be most intrigued to see someone intentionally do this. Regardless of what is said in the new announcement, someone is going to try it. And if someone is going to try it I want it documented on video.
Stuart
Nope, nope, nope, nope.
There are plenty of videos online of people destroying Li-ion and LiPo battery packs.
There’s no safe or controlled way to push one of these to failure, at least outside a pricey explosion room. Remember, these battery packs are encased in impact-resistant plastic shells. I don’t think they’ll simply bulge and catch fire – they’re likely going to explode.
Don’t try this at home. Just use your imagination.
Chris
I didn’t say I was going to do it 😉
I’m a home gamer, batteries are quite valuable to me! I know some reviewers might buy tools with their own money to destroy, but they also make money from web traffic or YouTube ads.
I was not saying that someone should try it, I just know someone will and I want to see what happens.
Stuart
Still, I had to shoot it down. Most of my response was directed to the greater audience, and anyone who might have taken your encouragement to heart.
Chris
Fair enough!
You hear that guys? Don’t do it!
fred
Sadly you might be right. There seem to be folks who each year try to see if they can get one of those “Darwin Awards”
JMG
The latest being the boy and girl who decided to see if a fifty cal handgun would penetrate a book by holding the book up in front of themselves and yeah… One less in the gene pool and a prime candidate for the award.
Lets leave the testing to the groups who have the proper equipment to conduct the test in a safe and intelligent manner.
fred
The Brits used to test things that could and would go boom in the night at Spadeadam in a remote section of Cumbria. US Facilities like the Aberdeen Proving Ground, The Naval Ordinance Station at Indian Head MD, the Naval Weapons station at China Lake CA, and most famously the WWII and Cold War era test sites in New Mexico and Nevada were all selected because of their remoteness and ability use facilities that were built there to control the test outcomes.
I would think that the Industry might want to cooperatively (together and with folks like FM and UL) start (if they haven’t already) testing their batteries to failure – particularly with the aim of assessing the severity of the hazard and developing best practice strategies for safe storage and fire control should an incident occur.
Bill
As you say, it is a little curious that Milwaukee just released this “in consultation with CPSC”. Have there been recent problems with the types of tools and batteries used in this industry. Problems that may not be specific to Milwaukee but maybe just an uptick in reported problems of this type.
I have never experienced any form of catastrophic failure of any of my cordless tool batteries, even going back to the early days of cordless tools. In fact, I don’t think I even know of anyone, personally, who has. However, I have never used any of my tools professionally and so I rarely push my tools to the limits their design nor do I use them in harsh environments. We have all seen the much reported news stories of such failures on consumer electronics, from cellphones and laptops to e-cigs. But I do not recall any reports of these types of failures on cordless tools.
So I’m interested to know if any of you out there in the tool world, professional or otherwise, have experienced any form of catastrophic battery failure?
Nate
None in the tool work with lithium-ion but i certainly have in the rc work with lipos.
John S
Its not the e-cig fault or electronics themselves. Its due to a high influx of “fake” lithium batteries flooding the import market from China. Also due to the demand these are further slipping past regulation. Look at the Samsung debacle with the Galaxy Note 7.
There are really really “good” and compelling fakes out there its incredible the lengths they go through to slip in and scary:
https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wholesale-battery-reviews/30828867-is-it-a-fake-18650-battery-featuring-the-samsung-25r
Williamson
My daughter just had a fire in her house from one of these batteries. It was a horrible ordeal and could have burned the whole house down. Her fetus stopped development two days after breathing in the toxic fumes. Be careful people. This was a relatively new battery not even on charge. Don’t keep these batteries in your house
Jay k.
I would love to see battery covers/containers… just a thought…
Nathan
Ha, I got the email from Milwaukee right after reading your write up.
thom
So don’t dunk my 9 AH in bleach.. got it.
Mr. Gerbik
Why wasn’t this warning printed on every one of their batteries before being sold to the public? What the hell are corrosive or conductive liquids? Molten lava? Battery acid, which is what is already in them? Are they gonna catch on fire like the Samsung batteries? Let me guess, they used the same company that Samsung used, right?
Can they be exposed to the rain? What a joke! They look like a bunch of dimwitted Johnny come lately’s with this “warning”. The last thing we need are more warning labels on batteries. I’d like to see the statistics on power tool battery related injuries. This is another great reason why I can’t stand Milwaukee tools and why I will never buy their products.
Stuart
Please read the post – it answers most of your questions.
Chris
Your post is absolutely full of ignorance. Please read more and talk less.
Mike
“Why wasn’t this warning printed on every one of their batteries before being sold to the public? ”
” The last thing we need are more warning labels on batteries.”
I should just stop reading comments anymore before my head explodes.
If I had to guess, someone dropped one in salt water and said, “Looks good to me.” Sometime later, it wasn’t. All manufacturers have to guard against the lowest I.Q. and sounds like Milwaukee jumped on this doing the right thing for themselves and the consumers.
fred
Good observations.
There might be more than a bit of self-fulfilling prophesy when someone’s first and main thoughts are that the manufacturer(s) is/are incompetent or have some Machiavellian motives, then rail at their warning labels, ignore their instruction manuals and then sue when bad things happen. In the litigious society we live in, there is a measure of corporate CYA in the warning, disclaimers and instructions that we are provided with tools and other products. But in who’s best interest is to ignore them (Lawyers? , ER Doctors?)
A 9.0Ah battery has a lot of stored energy – I believe that it exceeds the level that is allowed to be carried onto commercial aircraft – and users are well advised to try to keep the electrolyte inside and not add more (like bleach or salt solutions) on the outside to short out the contacts.
Farid
You can’t check it in but you can carry it on. According to the FAA, passengers may carry all consumer-sized lithium-ion batteries (no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt-hours [Wh] per battery). Passengers can also bring two larger lithium-ion batteries (more than 8 and less than 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery or roughly 100 to 300 Wh per battery) in their carry-on. You are limited to two batteries between 100 and 300 Wh rating.
Thats’s actually pretty scary. a 9AH batter fully charges is over 180 Wh. I that were to discharge in one second, that’s 648000 joules – think equivalent to energy it takes lifting 66 metric tons a distance of 1-meter (if I have my numbers correctly) ! Even if we cut that amount in half due to internal resistance and other fudge factors, that’s still a lot of energy that can do serious damage.
Jim Felt
In the long line of “Blender” YouTube vids usually featuring new iPhones or the like I’m half way expecting these morons to now try to “blend” a battery pack. Though honestly I can’t see how a blender could actually break one down…
Gawd people are, hmmm, “challenged”?
Joe
Your giving Milwaukee a lot of credit…maybe people got hurt already and were paid off and signed a non disclosure agreement,and part of the deal…..issue new warning labels.
Trying to stay ahead of the game ? Bull ! Something’s up ………
Brian
This might be plausible…I mean someone had to do something to cause all hair dryers to have “Do not use in shower” on their label. And car windshield shades having to print “Remove shade before driving” on the label.
Stuart
They said this all came from continued testing, or at least that was the implication.
It happens sometimes. A few years back there was a Porter Cable recall. I asked them more about it, and they said it stemmed from something they discovered internally.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/porter-cable-router-recall-2014/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Farid
No need to do your own tests. Youtube is full of Lipo battery explosions. Here are a couple (RC model batteries)
https://youtu.be/k9mcNvOGKtI
This is an 8AH battery, overcharged and physically damaged – DO NOT TRY THIS!
https://youtu.be/gz3hCqjk4yc?t=35s
Newer, quality batteries can take a lot of abuse. I heavily damaged one of my batteries in a crash (bent into a v-shape. I was able to bend it back and it still runs. Nevertheless, they are still dangerous. I store mine in a flameproof box and charge inside special charging bags. Never get them wet.
Mr. Gerbik
I love the statement “potential for danger”. There’s potential for danger the second you walk out of your house each and every day of the week without warning. Using a power tool battery is extremely simple. All you do is run it until it’s out of juice and charge it & repeat. There is nothing dangerous about this. There’s nothing about this procedure that warrants a warning label. It doesn’t matter how much energy or chemicals are inside of it. Now, if you crack, cut, puncture, or do anything to lacerate the cells inside the battery, chances are that something uncool will happen if you charge it. That’s up to the individual on whether or not they want to take the risk of possible injury by trying to charge it and/or use it. If someone is stupid enough to submerge it in water or bleach or acid and try to charge it, bad things happen to stupid people. Same applies to someone who would intentionally try to ignite or set the battery on fire or push the battery far beyond its limitations , you deserve to be taught a hard lesson. Just make sure nobody else is around when your lesson takes place. Safety concern doesn’t apply to individuals who intentionally want to blow up a battery. Even if it does explode while charging , there is not enough energy inside of it to disperse the chemicals like a bomb. There would be a very small fire and the fumes would be bad, but thats about it. If it explodes during use, I suggest you get medical attention and get in touch with a good attorney to get what you rightfully need to be compensated for. Which is undoubtedly the reason why Milwaukee is issuing this warning. It is not for the safety concerns of the consumer. Because remember if something breaks or gets stolen or lost and needs replacement, that is more money for Milwaukee, which supercedes any product safety hazards that they don’t want to have to pay out of pocket for.
Mr. Gerbik
Also rc batteries are not 18 & 20v power tool batteries. The batteries in the videos are not the same type of battery. Apples and bananas. I would still like to see the statistics on power tool battery injuries. Assumptions are worthless. I’m talking about factual events that were caused due to explosion & significant physical injuries took place that would cause the entire industry to panic and put warnings on batteries. I’ve seen car batteries explode personally, which warrants warning labels. There’s a lot of sulphuric acid inside. Not so sure about an 18v battery though with an impact case with metal cells. There’s no loose chemicals.
Paul
My M18 9.0 Batteries caught on fire and exploded about 8 times in my truck box while not even plugged into a power tool. alley Milwaukee power tools burned up. luckily I was close and saw the smoke billowing from my tool box and was able to kick the tools out onto the ground to find the cause of the fire. One of the batteries caught fire when I kicked it out to the ground it exploded 6-8 times over a 5 minute period.
Benny
My brother in law had a 9.0 randomly blow out the side. It was not on a tool or charger at the time. He found it after the fact. Stunk up the tool job and all the tools.
He took the battery back to the local retailer and they replaced it. After 1 week, the new battery exploded in a spectacular fashion. He put it on the charger in the truck and headed down the road. The battery exploded and a raging fire ensued.
Burned up 2 batteries and 2 chargers and charred the rest of the tools in the box. The fire was extinguished thanks to a fire extinguisher and snow.
I will not be carrying 9.0s in my truck any longer.
Steveo483
Got to work this morning and found my burned up golf cart bed and an exploded battery pack that almost caught our office on fire at the apartment complex I work at. No corrosive liquids anywhere in site. No liquids at all for that matter. Battery was charged overnight that morning and off of the actual saw for the evening. Just sitting there in the bed compartment.
jay
I bought this battery with a sawzall back in last June of 2018. In February it caught fire in my garage. Did around $150,000 in damage between my house and my wife’s car. I used the battery 2 days prior building a gate for my fence. It was sitting on the floor in a drill with no use for 2 days before it caught fire.
Steve Kopesky
I assume you or your ins. comp. contacted Milwaukee and now have every tool they produce or a rather large sum of money!!!
James
My insurance investigator would not contact Milwaukee because the battery was on a tool and not a charger. He said he felt he couldn’t prove it in court a law.
Shawn R.
I sent my 9.0 HD back to Milwaukee after it wouldn’t charge. It had less than 50 recharges on it even though I’m sure it was out of warranty. I was originally denied replacement, called back today to have battery sent back to me to attempt some of the you tube fixes I’ve seen. After explaining situation to customer service rep(really pissed at myself for not writing her name down-such a sweetheart), she’s replacing the battery with an 8.0. Like a lot of you, I own a lot of Milwaukee tools, and other than 9.0 battery issue, it’s all been good. In a environment where quality, accountability, longevity of durable goods is just lip service when compared to shareholder value, the customer service I received today just reinforces my loyalty to Milwaukee.