Poundland lithium cell vs the mighty AvE hammer

I thought it might be a good idea to use AvE's bigger copper swing press to drive a nail through a slightly overcharged lithium cell out of a pink Poundland power bank.
It's a slow starter - but it gets going when it's got excited enough.
Note that it's normally quite hard to make lithium cells do this. The power they unleash is purely the stored energy and not much to do with the tiny quantity of lithium itself.
The Poundland power bank this cell came from is well constructed and has independent cell protection to avoid overcharge or discharge.
Lithium cell fires are such a tiny percentage of the massive number in use that they often make the news when it happens.
Here's AvE's video where he makes the copper swing-press:-
• Making a Copper Swing ...
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.co...
This also keeps the channel independent of KZbin's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
#ElectronicsCreators
#sharts

[@hopha166]

Thus proving the old adage "A watched lithium cell never burns"

[@sigmasquadleader]

A watch with a lithium cell, however...

[@elric9892]

It is called: Zeno effect.

[@arduinoversusevil2025]

Phew, close call! It all worked out in the end.

[@SB-UK]

Vice, Dick, In

[@BigClive]

Looks like you didn't need projectile garden incendiary devices where you are. Glad things worked out OK.

[@BigClive]

@GeorgiaRocketman AvE generously posted it halfway around the world.

[@danmackintosh6325]

Hi AvE... (Wonder if anyone's going to berate me for saying hello to another great KZbinr, like the poor guy whom acknowledged Cody? Bring 'em on I say lol)

[@gretschmesaboogie]

@@BigClive AvE and yourself are great craic -- would absolutely love to have a beer with the two of you.

[@WereCatf]

I was just thinking "wow, that was far less exciting than I thought" before Clive got up and turned the camera to the flames on the ground, then the flames spewing out of the battery. Got a good chuckle out of me :D

[@itemushmush]

its like a slapstick comedy! love it

[@salmonline]

Just a thought: We didn't see the actual ignition of either of those fires.

[@WereCatf]

@@salmonline Well, it probably would surprise absolutely not a single person at this point to find out Clive's personality-traits also include copious amounts of pyromania....!

[@DeliveryMcGee]

"This has gone so wrong again" [re: not exploding instantly like he hoped] to "And now that bit's gone as well." in 31 seconds, that's the quality comedy I come to this channel for.

[@brianartillery]

Perfect. I'm still laughing. There will have to be a warning sigil of a crossed-out large, bearded man wielding a hammer, put on these batteries now.

[@TechBaffle]

Clive: "It's not very exciting, is it?" Poundland lithium cell: "But wait... there's more!"

[@1stAshaMan]

I like how he moved the camera just too late to miss the exciting bit on the ground and just in time to miss the exciting bit on the bench.

[@paulreeves8251]

It is not luck - it takes years of practice :-)

[@ralph17p]

Poundland cell was suffering from a bit of performance anxiety. It waited till no-one was looking before it could go.

[@s_989]

Tragic

[@DaarthPingas]

an inverse situation happened to me; i scrolled down to the comments just before that happened, and scrolled up just in time to catch it! lmao

[@theCodyReeder]

Perfect thumbnail!

[@MannyJazzcats]

Well fancy seeing you here 😁👍

[@alexandermorris2335]

@@MannyJazzcats Why do you people do this, its so cringe. Popular youtubers dont care that you are acknowledging the fact they watch videos on other peoples channels

[@TheChipmunk2008]

​@@alexandermorris2335 It's polite. Did you mean cringeworthy?

[@overseerofyahweh7811]

Viking like.

[@alexandermorris2335]

@@TheChipmunk2008 Lol its not polite, its obnoxious. Please explain in what way it is considered "polite"

[@simonneep8413]

Battered battery: "One moment please..."

[@badjuju6563]

LOLOLOLOL Best comment ever!!!

[@BenKonosky]

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[@MuitoDaora]

More oxygen please

[@dougaltolan3017]

Top comment

[@ColinWatters]

Has anyone got a deep fryer they could lend Clive:-)

[@elvirasdog]

Love it when Big Clive casually picks up the pink power bank, which is on fire, and calmly blows out the flames and puts it back down. All bow to the mighty hammer of knowledge!

[@hisnameisrentoo]

The comedic timing of that was Chaplin-level great.

[@bonce]

Chaplin? Keaton, surely

[@hisnameisrentoo]

@@bonce Surely!

[@phonotical]

You've never seen any of his films have you...

[@glenecollins]

@@bonce Buster would have ensured they had a camera on the 2/3rds still on the table and there probably would have been a train or something involved.

[@mscir]

I hope he films the people looking at his warranty claim.

[@Duck_side]

I just love how he's expecting a lithium fire, yet has absolutely zero fire suppressants nearby.

[@ericpode6095]

Not even the "fire containment cake tin"! 😁

[@DerCrawlerVomUrAnus]

@@ericpode6095 *explosion containment pie dish™

[@peterclarke7240]

He lives in Britain. Scotland, no less. There'll be a rain cloud along in a minute or so.

[@gsp911]

@@peterclarke7240 Scotland? I think it's Isle of Man.

[@peterclarke7240]

@@gsp911 I stand corrected.

[@petraoleum5816]

Wonderful comedic timing from that cell - an instant classic!

[@theotherwalt]

"Here, have a closer look.", in the most friendly voice. It was as if you were right there in the garden with him.

[@anthonywitham2305]

Clive, you forgot the magic words! "Tappy, tap tap."

[@androiduberalles]

Nyeeeeee... CLICK!

[@jickdespain2466]

Release the shmoo!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

THIS!!!

[@mulgerbill]

I'd like to give this a like but it already has 69 and that's just... nice

[@peterrenn6341]

Let the smoke oot

[@anthrosaurian]

[@anthrosaurian]

There is a good reason that many people with punctured or damaged phones/devices would see bits of smoke leaving said devices, and by the time they chucked it in a bin somewhere, the bin would then burst into flames. The delayed reaction is what made the dang things seem so unpredictable and dangerous for a while. I feel obligated to say: *For everyone that values their lives, fingers, lungs, and their belongings.. DO NOT DO THIS! Not at home or anywhere else!* But...if you're determined to do it regardless of what anyone else says. Have an empty steel receptical for the battery post-ignition. Do it outside with a respirator, at a distance upwind, or in what is typically refered to as a "fume hood" inside. (The burning electrolyte can release fluorine gas as the lithium reacts with the air instead of remaining bonded with the fluorine. Breathing in fluorine or various fluorides can cause damage not unlike what COVID does. Especially if you happen to be sensitive to it or have existing lung damage from having been exposed to COVID (Including "minor" damage).) And if you are still reading: Tips based on my personal experience would include: Puncture deeply then remove the sharp implement/nail to introduce oxygen to the lithium electrolyte faster. And Humid days help with some of the more stubborn "not as reactive" batteries that only seem to smoke and sizzle softly. (Note, even after the sizzling stops and the reaction seems to be over, batteries can potentially REIGNITE on humid or rainy days. Which is why i recommend having a steel receptical to keep it in) I figure if people are determined to explore, they ought to at least know what they are risking, and some of the ways to protect themselves. Warning labels only help so much, afterall.

[@SunDancerGE]

Industry: "Never puncture batteries! clive: MOAR HOLES! XD

[@NoobixCube]

Those are speed holes.

[@og9itepa]

Haha X-ray go brrrrr

[@tkermi]

Yes, should help with ventilation and keeping the battery cool - right?🤷🏻‍♂️🤔...🙃

[@MuscarV2]

This is just dumb.

[@SunDancerGE]

@@MuscarV2 No, this is fun because Clive knows what he's doing. Dumb are people you don't know what they are doing and set their beds on fire because they thought it would be fun to stab a smartphone battery with a knife.

[@iamdarkyoshi]

Try overcharging one until failure. The release of energy when they finally go up is very impressive.

[@robertmills6497]

I think thats a mission for Photonicinduction. Andy likes to make things go bang using excessive amounts of electricity.

[@iamdarkyoshi]

@@robertmills6497 I...... POPPED it!

[@andymerrett]

@@robertmills6497 Any time there's a power cut on the IoM everyone knows why.

[@ErenJeagerBomb]

This has a great deal of "Fanny Flambeux" energy

[@dangerotterisrea]

One of the best technical videos ever to grace KZbin!

[@adrianbellamy5060]

Now that was a funny video Definitely some Clive tampering with that 1

[@xxxggthyf]

There's obviously potential for a self igniting Fanny.

[@bostedtap8399]

I still have nightmares about that very strange product.

[@MrGrupps]

That name alone sends me in to histerics

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

It makes me _so_ happy to know you watch/enjoy AvE He's been one of my favourites *forever* Guy is a linguistic genius

[@Juraj_H.]

I'm glad you didn't say we shouldn't try this at home...

[@zh84]

As the Hydraulic Press Channel people always say "Do not try this at home! Or at anywhere else!"

[@LordPhobos6502]

"Do not try this at home... go to a friend's house instead."

[@BenCos2018]

@@LordPhobos6502 me who does it in school You have no power here

[@Honeybearsphone]

I feel like more people would try it at home if he said that

[@BenCos2018]

@@Honeybearsphone yep agreed lmao

[@markevans2294]

Interesting how both chunks caught fire at about the same time.

[@colinpye1430]

I don’t think this is what KZbin expected when they wanted to see Big Clive Shorts…

[@josephking6515]

Oh *EXCELLENT* one!! 👍👍

[@mustaphaleeq7016]

If you want to see his shorts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5i5g4xjeNtqhMk

[@SlocketSeven]

I don't think it's what Onlyfans was looking for either.

[@BrianLuxe]

Love the simple "That bit's gone as well". He's just so completely British be not worried about things like chemical burns and eye damage! *subscribes immediately*

[@garywillis1870]

Careful Clive. You might get charged with Assault and Battery.

[@renton9999]

put away those sunglasses before you hurt yourself ...and remember, the who are only good when not involved with cheesy pun lines

[@sinecurve9999]

Or just arson.

[@LongPeter]

Love me some word play. Very good!

[@ProfessorYana]

No no no, this was clearly assault *on* battery!

[@whitesapphire5865]

Or, assaulting a battery.

[@belperite]

1:43 love how you can hear the little "whomph" as the bit behind him goes up :D

[@jtm_h]

Everyone: Handle lithium batteries with care. Clive: hammers

[@absalomdraconis]

Clive: Hmm, that was disappointing. Let's try _more_ hammers.

[@_Steven_S]

Now I'm curious how a Poundland lithium pack will stand up to having a nail driven through it then shorted through that honking big bank of capacitors Photonic has 😁

[@jimsvideos7201]

With timing like that you'd think it's a 555 cell.

[@goingjag]

This needs more likes, too few 555 users I guess

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Too much C..... 😉

[@TheErador]

Buh dum dum tish

[@getyourkicksagain]

555 IC watt u did thermistor

[@BlackSoap361]

This thing had perfect comedic timing.

[@CanoDaFocks]

So I know this will probably get lost but I just wanted to say thank you for inspiring my interest in electrics and electronics many years ago. Idk if you remember since I lost the account but I was the guy that made the “Clive wants noodles” video years ago. I’ve finally managed to get an apprenticeship in commercial/industrial electrical as of April of this year after years of trying and I just wanted to extend my appreciation for your content.

[@johns1625]

"Everything in the shop is a smoke machine if ya chooch 'er wrong enough"

[@acmefixer1]

Thanks a bazillion for 'letting the smoke out!' I haven't seen so much fun since Resistor Roulette!

[@matthewfurlani8647]

"Maybe it needs more AvE Hammer" Couldnt have said it better myself

[@me3333]

The copper swing press never fails to impress

[@Silverfoxwolfen]

The hammer of knowledge and understanding knows all will explode if impacted enough.

[@wtmayhew]

Wow, what an interesting delayed reaction! Back around 2002, we put a defunct Microsoft Win CE device under a drill press with a 7/8 inch bit. When the bit hit the device’s lithium battery an ominous blue flame almost two feet long instantly shot up. That incident sealed my respect for the potential hazard lurking in lithium cells.

[@dunzerkug]

The most likely reason for the time delay is the battery wasn't up to the ignition temp for the gases being released, if it was a higher power density it may have ignited sooner. The "exploding" cells are one that are run hot to the point of thermal run away and are already hot enough to ignite the gases by the time they rupture.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

so next time heat it up in a pan of water to lets say 80 celcius then whack it ?

[@jimmyb1451]

@@girlsdrinkfeck oil. Maybe water if it's deionized.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

@@jimmyb1451 yes ,deep fry a battery pack and puncture it ,it must be done

[@markiangooley]

My phone’s battery gets quite warm when charging. I wonder if that means it’s more spectacular when damaged. Relatively recent phone, newer iPhone SE

[@Chuckiele]

@@girlsdrinkfeck I dont think you need to puncture it if you throw it in boiling oil :D

[@longden57]

I love the whole "ow, nothing happing, so I'll knock 7 bells out of it with a massive hammer" 🤣 Legend.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

I especially like how he chuckles when mentioning the bit flying off, you hear him waiting a bit and then you hear the *BWOOMP* from the fire starting behind the camera :P.

[@peterholst8875]

Glad to see that you are wearing your"explosion containment safety pants" 🤣

[@telephony]

... yeah hot lithium on one's penus can't feel very good, hahahaha!!! 😜

[@TheErador]

Should have worn the explosion containment pie dish as a Tin 'at

[@frankwales]

"Good for multiple kinds of pants-based explosions"

[@acehighjohn1759]

This is the only video ive watched of yours and understood the process 10/10 would watch again!

[@iceeeyN00B]

I love how you sat down disappointed, then started touching it. 👍

[@OrinSorinson]

I was wondering what the hell was going on in the beginning. I've done mobile phone repair and some refurbishing and I've seen some spectacular jet flames, by my hand and by my colleagues', with enough smoke to last me a couple of lifetimes. It was a great day when you managed to stick it in the sand bucket just before it burst.

[@trizedlyza]

Sand, good idea! Never imagined how these are controlled in a business except for an exhaust hood. I usually do my swelled iPhone changes outdoors. Like when those "easy" pull tabs do nothing but break and you're stuck with a spudger and needle nose pliers bending a cell until it's out.

[@pilkjaer]

Let's admit it - we all wanted to see this happen. Each time Clive say "be careful" one wonders "what if". Now you got your answer. It seems like old phone battery ca be very useful during camping. To start a fire all you need is a nail.

[@morgan4870]

I'm sure AvE is proud to see the hammer being put to good use!

[@WUNDER8AR]

Everything gets excited eventually when you just beat it enough with a hammer.

[@TheErador]

Worked for Rimmer I guess

[@dazednconfused31337]

Flat Willy disagrees

[@brianm6337]

It's Hammer Time somewhere in the world, I guess...

[@CountDoucheula]

This video justifies a large portion of my childhood.

[@Q1745]

You had me laughing! More holes? More knowledge delivered? Why yes, that did it! 😂🤣👍

[@ClavellSimpSV]

So THAT's why the "do not puncture" warning... I learned something new today!

[@whitesapphire5865]

Have you seen Guy Martin's programme exploring electric vehicles? (The one where he's building an electric, classic, VW beetle) - Apparently, modern lithium batteries are much safer than their earlier cousins, though the way to prevent a runaway fire in a lithium battery is to put the entire car in an explosion containment pie dish, about 20ft by 8ft, and filled with water until the battery is discharged (About 24hrs). I reckon you'd get yours comfortably in 20cm by 8cm.

[@Petertronic]

Very educational. Energy density of lithium cells demonstrated for maximum entertainment.

[@pyromen321]

Hahaha the camera work at the end was fantastic. Pan to the ground for a fire, and then the former subject of the camera bursts into flames!

[@DeathInTheSnow]

I get my fix of lithium fires by watching BattleBots. You can imagine the energy it takes to move 113kg death machines that are then fully armed. Quite spectacular. Some even have fuel canisters in them now too.

[@devttyUSB0]

Haha it's been a while since i've seen flames on the channel (whoofles not included) nice one.

[@mickvk]

That was hysterical. Couldn't get the battery to go, then lit the lawn and the other battery on fire accidentally. Brilliant!

[@P25AES]

Got to love the perfect timing! Flames never disappoint!

[@craazyy22]

Oh my thats a lot of hearts from clive :D He be sharing all the love

[@BigClive]

I appreciate all worthy comments. It also helps me keep track, as I read them all.

[@captiveimage]

Not so anticlimactic as first thought, more just giving the impression of dud.... Right up to the point where bravely running away would seem like a good idea 🏃🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[@peterclarke7240]

That was beautiful, Clive. Wonderful comedic timing 😂

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

photonicinduction: makes a comeback. bigclive: I gotta up these numbers. These are rookie numbers.

[@sausage5849]

BCDC made a special appearance in photonicinduction latest video, the threadmill one.

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

@@sausage5849 Yeah I saw that. These two have been buddies for a while.

[@sausage5849]

@@peetiegonzalez1845 I didn't know that. Thanks

[@jasonwilde197]

That was the kindest and most thoughtful battery pack ever! It let the smoke out to warn you that it is going to kill you shortly.

[@raymitchell9736]

I'd say that experiment worked as planned... The mighty hammer of AvE takes out another victim... gosh I need one of those... Anyway, you could say you were bang on target with that one... but now we're all wondering if you still have a garden? ... a house?

[@penfold7800]

I wonder if that's how forest fires start these days; a mislaid battery from untidy campers in the woods, then some creature with big sharp teeth comes along and has a nibble on it.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

@@penfold7800 It's another potential vector yes

[@krakendwaggin]

I loved the *whumph* of the other half catching fire with just the right bit of timing! XD

[@blkmgk16]

Well this was underwhe...fire! Fire everywhere! Haha thanks Clive!

[@drumplestiltskin2582]

The shmoo was indeed fiery! Side note, what a lovely looking (and sounding) garden..!

[@BigClive]

It's gloriously wild and overgrown.

[@peter.stimpel]

finally, some proper "disintegration". This is what teardown videos should be like.

[@bobshop]

Watch the Sanyo eneloop "what's inside eneloop batteries?" - fire apparently" video

[@xyanide1986]

I love it when a good plan comes together

[@KernelLeak]

Nailed it! Well, kinda...

[@RedHeadForester]

The way you blew out the flame on the case right at the end of the video made me chuckle. Perfectly timed.

[@dr.hahnchenflugel1492]

Battery packs of comedic timing - get yours today only at Poundland!

[@okc420gaming7]

Thanks for the pyro on my birthday... Just what I needed to make my day!

[@jeffandrews8578]

i recently " disposed of safely " a few old Rc lipo packs , including a 3s Chinese special ... all full charged... i was extremely dissapointed with the lack of flames no matter what i did ... the levels of smoke was pretty impressive though ...i wonder if they have added some kind of supressing agent to them in recent years, cause i have set off many a pack a fair old time back

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

Connect them to a car battery, at night. It's like fireworks. ;)

[@ReubenHorner]

I've found a good way for pouch lipo is to get each cell up to 5v or until it's about bursting then smash it down. 18650 just stick a high power charger on there and it should justabout shoot like a firework

[@Spiralem]

Maybe it just dont hold as much juice as new ones.

[@ValleyRC]

I tossed one on a fire a few years back, all it did was put out so much smoke that the fire went out lol.

[@mindaugasstankus5943]

@@Spiralem remover protection circuit. They can hold a lot more.

[@savourypotato]

Just causing general havoc in the backyard Good to see you’re having fun

[@arthurmann578]

LMAO!! I just couldn't stop laughing, especially at the end when flames seemed to be getting everywhere!! The mighty "Hammer of Knowledge" strikes again! Thanks for the good laugh Clive! I needed that! 😂😂😅😅👍👍

[@martinclemesha4794]

Casually blows out flame on the pink power pack. Brilliant stuff.

[@johnfitzgerald4456]

You're a big child Big Clive. FIRE!

[@TheErador]

Never change!

[@absurdengineering]

@@TheErador Yesss, that a million times!!

[@NickNorton]

Turned out to be a very good demonstration Clive. All the things I have in my house with energy dense battery's inside. One manufacturing mistake and I may find I no longer have a House! It's not just a lithium cell risk. Any dormant energy component in your house is a risk.

[@daverei1211]

Clearly the cheap packs either have safety in mind or they don’t store that much energy. I’m suspectI got the later.

[@josephking6515]

I bet though if you overcharged the battery then your house would burn down and the bloody insurance company would wheedle their way out of paying.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

If this is a li-ion battery, they can be very volatile, but racing packs are worse in that regard.

[@Samuel-km5yf]

Now THAT’S quality entertainment right there!

[@gingerelvis]

I've had a few of these pack style lithium cells swell recently in various devices all with their own charging circuitry, not been abused. Makes me wonder about the 18650 I've been using for years (high current draw applications) which seem to be fine, a few are down on power with age but nothing more nefarious.

[@guyboltrucyk1677]

"Slight time delay..." killing me, Clive!

[@GamerNineSix]

Maybe do something like: "how many nails can this cell take before burning bright" Another thing I wondered: do other nail materials, like copper for example, result in a heavier reaction?

[@laminatedsamurai]

Yet another example of a component yielding it's soul to the proper application of unreasonable force. Excellent!

[@muppetpaster]

Racing packs are able to dump a lot more energy at once I think....

[@gavinminion8515]

You should know the well known old saying Clive, "The watched poundland lithium battery back never bursts into flames".

[@puttermouse]

No pie pan :(

[@BobMuir100]

Clive mate, I sat down and got comfy for this!! Bob England

[@endlessoul]

At first, the soy face is obviously what drew me in. The title scared me, and my fears were assuaged seeing that you're doing this outside. Be safe!

[@DavidCurryFilms]

Lithium or Hathium, Clive never disappoints!

[@fluffycritter]

I figured you of all people would realize that it'd take more than a few seconds for these things to go off.

[@BigClive]

It's making me think that the videos where the cell instantly explodes are either staged with extreme variables like pre-heating and gross overcharging, or multiple takes until one worked.

[@absurdengineering]

@@BigClive I’m sure you’re right. And people just play to those fantasies, and fan them up. And then “the public” believes something they can’t reproduce and only ever see on YT videos, lol. Wait a second!… I must have heard of that phenomenon before…

[@mwechtal]

It's nice to see the mighty AvE hammer used for it's intended purpose.

[@TopEndSpoonie]

At least the x-ray device ( hammer of knowledge ) got some more work.

[@yellowwhale66]

The thumbnails just get better and better

[@trelard]

Us: "Clive, we're bored." Clive: "Let me just grab a battery and a few other things and see what happens" I laughed.

[@benwinkel]

KZbin needs more content like this.

[@0xDEADBEEF666]

Haven’t laughed that hard in a while.

[@danielmonostori3480]

Defnitely sensing some Fanny Flambeaux vibes on this video. The pace, how the 'plot' cascades... Amazing, wonderful, beautiful, watched it 3 times. Luv ya

[@TheYouTubeAquarium]

It's a healing hammer, however when used on a perfectly healthy thing the object will become destroyed upon contact. You should have known this sir....

[@Ilsabug1]

Yeah I got a good laugh as well. Love the antics!!! By the way I was reverse engineering a motor controller today, that is technically no longer available, and no longer working. Thank you for the time you put into your channel.

[@LordPhobos6502]

I remember reading somewhere that lithium batteries contain more energy than TNT... is that true? Nice hammer too 👍❤

[@BigClive]

Not sure. But any device contained tightly can be forceful.

[@rich1051414]

No. A lithium ion battery has an energy density of, at most, 1 million J/kg. TNT is 4.6 million J/kg. So TNT is about 5 times more energy dense. All efforts of harnessing TNT's energy has ended catastrophically. Even if we could figure it out, no one would want to carry around TNT batteries. However, with lithium ion being 1/5th as energy dense as TNT is still scary.

[@denninosyos]

Luckily the combustion rate for lithium cells are relatively slow.

[@lesallison9047]

Thank you. 😂

[@absurdengineering]

Flying on e-planes will sure involve some pucker factor. If things go wrong, you have time enough for the Amen, not even a prayer.

[@ruthmoreton6975]

"Maybe it needs more holes" That just cracked me up.

[@StreuB1]

HAHAHHAHAH!!!! That was awesome.

[@jtveg]

I knew you wouldn't disappoint. Thanks for sharing. 😉👌🏼