Database Users

Swollen Battery, Battery Level Somewhat Erratic

Hey everybody,
So I think that my HTC Wizard's battery is about to go.
When I look at it, it feels a little swollen. I think that it was flat when I first got it, but honestly, how many of us actually need to look at the battery that often? Got it about five months ago, and it was refurbished at the time.
Another thing that seems to indicate that the battery is dying is that when I'm playing a game like Spb Quadronica or Skyforce Reloaded, the battery level takes a deep dive (like 30 - 40%) after about 30 minutes of playing. These battery levels are from Spb Mobile Shell since I removed the T-Mobile application from startup that shows an icon in the system tray.
When I first got this, I was able to play Skyforce Reloaded for probably two hours before it reaches the same drainage. The battery looks like it was also refurbished since the black metallic coating was coming off on the end opposite of the battery contacts.
When it's at some inexplicable power level like 24% after playing for a short time, I restart the device (sometimes it does this automatically without warning) and it's back to like 78%, which is more or less what it should be at for that length of usage.
On a seemingly random restart, it will be stuck in a restart cycle going from the T-Mobile splash screen to the Windows Mobile boot screen and then restarting before it makes it to the Password window.
I try to use the same techniques when taking care of my battery as I do for lithium ions in laptops, such as power cycling (complete drain and full recharge) once or twice a month.
Should I be worried about the battery? Should I just get a new one since they're not that expensive? Is there something else that might be causing this?
Thank you for your time. Any help is greatly appreciated.

you should replace it. a battery gets swollen if the heat boils the chemicals inside it. that happens due to inequality in material density (which is caused by other electrical issues). if you keep using it it might pop if it heats up too much and spill all over your phone.

The battery is a goner,replace it immediately,before it leaks or bursts and create further mess.Yes! one more thing,don't buy a refurbished batteries,as you can never be sure about the condition of the battery,spend a little more and get a new and warranted,it'll save further complications and expenses.

Thanks for the replies.
Well, I got the refurbished Wizard as a gift. It was purchased from TigerDirect.ca. I guess that a refurbished phone also means a refurbished battery to them.
Have either of your used Global-Batteries.ca or any of the other their localized sites for batteries before? Are they reliable? I've never really been big on purchasing things online. I don't even have a PayPal account.
So I'm a little wary about using them to buy a battery online. Pretty good price though.

Asin said:
Thanks for the replies.
Well, I got the refurbished Wizard as a gift. It was purchased from TigerDirect.ca. I guess that a refurbished phone also means a refurbished battery to them.
Have either of your used Global-Batteries.ca or any of the other their localized sites for batteries before? Are they reliable? I've never really been big on purchasing things online. I don't even have a PayPal account.
So I'm a little wary about using them to buy a battery online. Pretty good price though.
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I do not know where you are at, but in america you can go to any batteries plus and they have the battery for the wizard. I recently replaced mine with a new one. I think it was about 30 or 40 dollars. Not bad considering that I use it alot. here is a link to their website.
www.batteriesplus.com

Well, it's only $18 CDN on Global-Batteries.ca, so I was hoping for that.
Just to confirm, I should be looking for WIZA16 if I only want the standard capacity battery right?

[Q] Battery went through the wash

Just want some advice really, I always keep a spare battery in my pocket, and accidently put some jeans through the wash with the battery in it! Noticed half way through, dried it off and now have it sitting in a bag of rice. There was also some green funk on the positive terminal that I wiped off.
So after a day two once it is dry, would it be safe to test it in the phone, or would it be best just to chuck it? Obviously I'd like not to have to buy a new one, but if there is a risk of damaging the phone then I'll just buy another one. So what do you think?

if its dry test it out. how else are you going to find out if its messed up or not lol

If you have a multimeter I'd check the voltages first, just because it's easy.
It's always the best to be sure before you try it on your phone.
edit: typo removed

WarBird87 said:
if its dry test it out. how else are you going to find out if its messed up or not lol
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I would, but I'd like to know first if I could damage the phone before testing it out, as not worth risking the phone for the sake of a £15 battery.
Sh4d0w940 said:
If you have a multimeter I'd check the voltages first, just because it's easy.
It's always the best to be sure before you try it on your phone.
edit: typo removed
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That's a good idea, i know my flat mate has one, but he's away right now and don't really know how to use it, any suggestions on how it should be set up and what the expected output should be? It's one of the newer digital ones with the display up top and a large dial below. Thanks

There should be some settings on the meter. You want DC and auto if its an option else you want to set it low the output of the battery should be listed on the battery itself. It should be pretty low ie 1 - 4 volts maybe. Just a guess though
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Is it worth it? There is bound to be some contaminants inside the battery now, and worst case scenario it's going to ruin your £400 phone when it shorts out/blows up/voltage spikes.
Just get rid of the battery to a recycling place it, and buy a new one. You'll be sorry otherwise.

Did that about a week ago. My backup/password manager Blackberry Pearl died but my spare G2 battery still works fine.
But like anything, results may very.
I had everything on that pearl lost a lot of passwords!!!
Goodluck.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Try to charge it if you have on of those dock type charger. I'd be more worried if it went through a full wash/dry cycle. Being submerged in warm soapy water OTOH is nothing to worry about. Its a sealed battery. However it did likely completely discharge itself, quickly. The fast discharge may have over heated it.
Do you wash your jeans cold, warm, or hot?

[Q] Glass back shattered

Having just come off the phone to my Network, I'm worried about my choice of Nexus 4. My first one I have had less than a week and this morning the back glass went ping whilst it was sitting on the sofa doing nothing, the entire back just shattered all on its own.
The Network operator advised there are issues with leaving the phone on charge for long periods and the battery overheating causing the glass to shatter. I was offered an alternate phone, but I actually like the Nexus so am giving it another go. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
I'm used to charging my phone overnight whilst in bed as I don't feel this is excessive over charging????

This.. this is making me concerned for my phone.. I've never left it charging over night intentionally as it wears down battery health but I have forgotten with my other phones..

It's the heat, do you live in a child country, or keep the ac low? Since the glass is thick, the temperature gradient between the two sides causes expansion like in a bi metallic strip, causing it to bend, and eventually crack as strain goes beyond the critical point of elasticity. 11th grade physics
Sent from my GT-I9100
If I helped you, please hit the thanks button!
---------- Post added at 12:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 AM ----------
Long story short, don't subject the phone to a temperature gradient of more than 7-10 degrees Celsius, the glass will break, gorilla or no gorilla
Sent from my GT-I9100
If I helped you, please hit the thanks button!

euki69 said:
This.. this is making me concerned for my phone.. I've never left it charging over night intentionally as it wears down battery health but I have forgotten with my other phones..
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No such thing as all modern phones/batteries have circuitry built in to prevent overcharging. The phone will tell the AC adapter to stop supplying power and as such it does. You can keep devices plugged in for days without any current reaching the battery. If your phone is still charging past 100% then that's a faulty AC adapter which should be replaced.
It's -20C outside now while inside being 20C so that's a 40 degree difference and I have no issues with my phone just cracking out of no where. Glass surely will crack under drastic temp changes but definitely not that easy, especially tempered glass on (like such on cars).

shotta35 said:
No such thing as all modern phones/batteries have circuitry built in to prevent overcharging. The phone will tell the AC adapter to stop supplying power and as such it does. You can keep devices plugged in for days without any current reaching the battery. If your phone is still charging past 100% then that's a faulty AC adapter which should be replaced.
It's -20C outside now while inside being 20C so that's a 40 degree difference and I have no issues with my phone just cracking out of no where. Glass surely will crack under drastic temp changes but definitely not that easy, especially tempered glass on (like such on cars).
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I can only go by what my Network told me, I was placed on hold whilst they contacted the Nexus Team whoever they are. When he came back he stated that I had left my phone charging for too long which would have likely caused the glass to fail.
Even I was shocked when I saw the shattered glass and thought they're going to think I dropped it. But then dropping the phone with the special glass shouldn't cause it to shatter, maybe a crack or two, but as per the picture this is an all over shatter.
Maybe I just had a one off duff phone, time will tell as I've ordered a replacement as I actually love the phone itself. Had a HTC for 2 years with not a scratch as I look after my things.

Hantslad said:
I was placed on hold whilst they contacted the Nexus Team whoever they are. When he came back he stated that I had left my phone charging for too long which would have likely caused the glass to fail.
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Sorry but this is utter nonsense. If this is really what they said, then either they were winding you up for a laugh, or they didn't know what they were talking about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

steviewevie said:
Sorry but this is utter nonsense. If this is really what they said, then either they were winding you up for a laugh, or they didn't know what they were talking about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Maybe they thought it was funny and were winding me up then. I guess they just replace phones for no reason?
I'm pretty sure if there were no known faults they wouldn't just offer a free exchange or an alternate phone if they thought I'd smashed the thing myself.

Mine broke by being in my pocket just the other day. It's on it's way to LG right now for possible Warranty work.

shotta35 said:
Glass surely will crack under drastic temp changes but definitely not that easy, especially tempered glass on (like such on cars).
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Its not the glass affected by temperature changes, rather the metal components and frame that are. This "can" cause glass to crack.

Did your phone have any kind of skin or protector on the back?
I have heard stories of cracking from temp changes.
I have a front and back protector and have not had any trouble with mine going from zero degrees outside to 70 inside or vice versa.

euki69 said:
This.. this is making me concerned for my phone.. I've never left it charging over night intentionally as it wears down battery health but I have forgotten with my other phones..
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Leaving it charging over night has absolutely no ill effects on the battery.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Hantslad said:
The Network operator advised there are issues with leaving the phone on charge for long periods and the battery overheating causing the glass to shatter.
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Hmm I charge my phone during night since november and still perfect

Are you making this story up mate? I don`t believe a word of it and it sounds like troll language to me Damage like that seems to be caused by a fall (flat on it`s back) rather than a overheated battery imo. It would take a sudden 40-50 degrees Celsius increase and most probably the glas would melt rather than break. Breakage is caused by temperature differences between the inner and outer side off the glas. And you don`t have it fixed allthough they offered it too you?

Hi
It looks like a typical stress fracture of the glass.
I'm not convinced normal changes in temperature is the cause as otherwise we'd not be using glass for windows!
Charging overnight is perfectly safe and doesn't harm the battery. Lithium batteries explode if constantly charged so the charging circuitry is carefully designed to monitor the charge and stop it when the battery is full. There are also safe guards in place, which likely the red flashing LED issue is an indicator of a fail-safe being triggered.
Sometimes lithium batteries go wrong. The lithium batteries in the Nexus are not in a rigid metal can like most but a different technology that allows them to be in a soft foil packet, much like you might find food in. This means a fault can cause the battery to expand, this would deform the back, stressing the glass and breaking it. Typically with such a fault there will be heat, so 1st line support on hearing of customers finding a hot phone with a smashed back may be coming to the wrong conclusion that heat is the cause.
The only people that know the truth are LG who will find these phones winging their way back to them, and unless this is a huge problem where a recall is required, we will probably never know or be told of a confirmed cause of these "Unexplained Spontaneous Back Shattering" events or USBS, and there probably isn't one single cause anyway.
Regards
Phil

gee2012 said:
Are you making this story up mate? I don`t believe a word of it and it sounds like troll language to me Damage like that seems to be caused by a fall (flat on it`s back) rather than a overheated battery imo. It would take a sudden 40-50 degrees Celsius increase and most probably the glas would melt rather than break. Breakage is caused by temperature differences between the inner and outer side off the glas. And you don`t have it fixed allthough they offered it too you?
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Why would I make it up? I asked the question if anyone else has had similar issues as when my replacement arrives on Tuesday, if it happens again, I would like to know if it is infact a common issue.
Had I have dropped the phone I would be asking if anyone knows how I could get it fixed. Why would anyone waste time posting a load of lies?
As it happens 3 Network have advised they are aware of over charging causing the back glass to break, although I don't see any warnings or advice over how long you should keep a phone on charge.
I fail to see how what I have stated has given you reason to think I am trolling. I am happy with the phone itself and feel it's worth another go as it's fast and to be honest is one of the best handsets I have had.

Hantslad said:
As it happens 3 Network have advised they are aware of over charging causing the back glass to break, although I don't see any warnings or advice over how long you should keep a phone on charge.
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Sounds like 3's support staff don't know what they are taking about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

steviewevie said:
Sounds like 3's support staff don't know what they are taking about.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Now, this I can agree with. The reason I have given the phone a second chance is that I believe I had a duff phone. I was offered a different phone, but stuck with the Nexus as I actually love it so far.
When I contacted 3, they placed me on hold for a few minutes and came back to advise they had spoken to the Nexus Team, wether that be at 3 or Google, I have no idea. The conversation was almost accusing me of over charging, but being an average phone user I do not know what over charging is. I just plug the phone in and leave it as I always have with previous phones.
The phone itself was not in any pocket, but just sitting on the sofa when it shattered and I too find it hard to believe it just shattered by itself, but in all honesty it did! I have no reason to come on here and say otherwise.
Let's hope the replacement will give me many hours of use, I've ordered a 2 cases to ensure if I do drop it, I get some protection.

Overdose1986 said:
Hmm I charge my phone during night since november and still perfect
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+1
I have charged overnight every night since November with no ill effects. I've used various nexus and non-nexus chargers.
I've also never used a screen protector and have had no scratches. I have a 3 quid S tpu for the back and sides.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I've never not charged a phone all night. If I had to wake up at 1 or 2 in the morning to unplug this phone I would sell it today, that is ridiculous. I can't believe that LG or any company would think that this would be acceptable in 2013. Maybe back in the stone age but not today. With that being said, my phone is still in perfect condition with a protector on the front and back. The only thing that drives me crazy is the creakiness of the phone. I hope this crap gets straightened out.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Punctured battery! smoke! still work?

Hi while changing my screen on the lg g2 i accidental poked a small hole in the bottom if the g2 battery with a sharp tool this let out a little white smoke and a strange smell, strangely it still works and charges, the phone appears to be in good working order? Is this ok? Or should i get a new battery asap

061189ji said:
Hi while changing my screen on the lg g2 i accidental poked a small hole in the bottom if the g2 battery with a sharp tool this let out a little white smoke and a strange smell, strangely it still works and charges, the phone appears to be in good working order? Is this ok? Or should i get a new battery asap
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I think you should consider getting a new battery soon, I once teared down a battery to see what was inside and it's basically a lot of compressed layers of what ever the inside of a battery is made and that's basically where it keeps the electricity from when you charge it so I'm pretty sure that the little hole you made will slowly reduce battery until it can no longer charge plus it will also expose your phone to those toxic chemicals and I'm sure that is not good for y]the phone and as for the smell it turns out that depending on the amount of usage you have given it(charging and killing the battery) makes it produce a different smell because out of the many that I have teared there was one from an ipod touch of about 8 years ago(a few years have passed since this happened so more about 12-15years in total) smelled really good compared to a battery which was practically brand new
so in little words yes you should replace it asap

XxZombiePikachu said:
I think you should consider getting a new battery soon, I once teared down a battery to see what was inside and it's basically a lot of compressed layers of what ever the inside of a battery is made and that's basically where it keeps the electricity from when you charge it so I'm pretty sure that the little hole you made will slowly reduce battery until it can no longer charge plus it will also expose your phone to those toxic chemicals and I'm sure that is not good for y]the phone and as for the smell it turns out that depending on the amount of usage you have given it(charging and killing the battery) makes it produce a different smell because out of the many that I have teared there was one from an ipod touch of about 8 years ago(a few years have passed since this happened so more about 12-15years in total) smelled really good compared to a battery which was practically brand new
so in little words yes you should replace it asap
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Your right i think i will, and battery price is very good for this phone right now

Hi... accidental poked a small hole in the bottom if the g2 battery with a sharp tool this let out a little white smoke and a strange smell, strangely it still works and charges,
but the phone appears more heat the screen, turne off bottom and aroud it....what should i do???? Only replace the battery enough..?

[email protected] said:
Hi... accidental poked a small hole in the bottom if the g2 battery with a sharp tool this let out a little white smoke and a strange smell, strangely it still works and charges,
but the phone appears more heat the screen, turne off bottom and aroud it....what should i do???? Only replace the battery enough..?
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Click to collapse
IMMEDIATELY change the battery and DO NOT use the phone. Li Polymer batteries vent when punctured, worst case scenario is a blowtorch fire that can cause 3rd degree burn on your skin, to be more precise a hole in you, or you can put your room on fire. Please, change the battery immediately!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_EWAC1oVOM

Inaccurate battery percentage...

I have a 910T3 that I slow charge (AC) most of the time. When I see the green light go on, I unplug and see 100%, but after I reboot into TWRP recovery it is usually like 93%. Which one is accurate? I'd prefer the green light to go on when it's really 100%. Thank you.
Also, the stock battery is about 20 months old, and I can use it to about 0%-1% before it shuts off.

You could try reinitializing your battery. However seeing as your battery is that old. You would be better off getting a new one.

What is reinitializing the battery? I really wanted to avoid buying a new battery unless I really had to. I've read people's battery dying at like 25% left, that's when I'd buy a new one.

burntrat said:
What is reinitializing the battery? I really wanted to avoid buying a new battery unless I really had to. I've read people's battery dying at like 25% left, that's when I'd buy a new one.
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Above post is correct as your battery is quite old it is probably time for a new one. My old note 4 was very similar to this before the emmc failed in it it would always show different percentages on battery,the phone died before i got to replace battery though

TheMadScientist said:
Above post is correct as your battery is quite old it is probably time for a new one. My old note 4 was very similar to this before the emmc failed in it it would always show different percentages on battery,the phone died before i got to replace battery though
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Man I was hoping it wasn't time for a new battery just yet. Also, sorry to hear about your n4. Looks like eventually all of them will die like that soon. I swear this was planned cause the n5 wasn't that great, trying to thin out the n4 herd.

burntrat said:
Man I was hoping it wasn't time for a new battery just yet. Also, sorry to hear about your n4. Looks like eventually all of them will die like that soon. I swear this was planned cause the n5 wasn't that great, trying to thin out the n4 herd.
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I loved my note 5. Battery killed in it too twice i haad a note 7 edge rom on it

TheMadScientist said:
I loved my note 5. Battery killed in it too twice i haad a note 7 edge rom on it
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I tried the no5 for a bit, but wasn't really impressed with it. It had it's pros and cons, but I felt the no4 was better overall for my uses. I read others saying pretty much the same thing with sticking with the no4 rather than moving on the no5 cause of no battery or microsd card support etc.
How did you deal with dead batteries out of warranty or did you have both battery issues in the first year?

burntrat said:
I tried the no5 for a bit, but wasn't really impressed with it. It had it's pros and cons, but I felt the no4 was better overall for my uses. I read others saying pretty much the same thing with sticking with the no4 rather than moving on the no5 cause of no battery or microsd card support etc.
How did you deal with dead batteries out of warranty or did you have both battery issues in the first year?
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Lol i bought 3 note 5s and pieced them together with one one good screen and a bad usb port on said screen i swapped the batteries myself I heated the baqck and didnt bust it just scratched it. so i ordered a new back and use small dabs of rubber cement to put it back on.
I do all my own repairs no warranty. i had a verizon tmobile and sprint mother boards luckily I rooted before the usb went out completly and used wifi file transfer and wireless charge for that issue. So much as I now despise Usb ports and no wireless charge on devices.

TheMadScientist said:
Lol i bought 3 note 5s and pieced them together with one one good screen and a bad usb port on said screen i swapped the batteries myself I heated the baqck and didnt bust it just scratched it. so i ordered a new back and use small dabs of rubber cement to put it back on.
I do all my own repairs no warranty. i had a verizon tmobile and sprint mother boards luckily I rooted before the usb went out completly and used wifi file transfer and wireless charge for that issue. So much as I now despise Usb ports and no wireless charge on devices.
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Wow, I wish I had the skills and patience to do that. I know I'd make things worse and end up paying more in the long run for parts and fixing it. I think that is a huge reason why many won't move onto these newer phones without replaceable batteries.
I swapped out an older, but less used oem no4 battery and will see if it's any better.

So I'm using the older battery and lights up green at 100% (same level as TWRP rec).
But today, my phone just shut off at around 35-39% while in the middle of streaming a short video clip. Only way to turn it back on was to remove then reinsert the battery. Is this normal of dying batteries around the last 1/3 or could this possibly be an unstable kernel issue.