The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.
Battery misalignment and structural flaws raise concerns for engineers
What’s the situation? A popular power bank has transitioned from a favorite among backpackers to a possible safety risk. An analysis conducted by Lumafield has revealed that the widely available Haribo 20,000 mAh power bank (and the accompanying earphones) has significant internal battery issues, which likely led to its removal from online sales platforms.
The scans indicated that the battery cells are misaligned, with electrodes either folded or distorted instead of being stacked properly.
The internal layers of the cells displayed irregular shapes and inconsistent wrapping, pointing to inadequate quality control.
Lumafield also discovered that the Haribo earbuds have similarly poorly constructed battery cells with defects akin to those found in the power bank.
The uneven alignment of edges in the Haribo 20,000 mAh power bank / Lumafield
Why is this significant? Haribo power banks gained popularity among travelers and backpackers due to their substantial 20,000 mAh capacity housed in a compact, lightweight design. However, they have recently been pulled from Amazon, and pending orders have been cancelled. It was at this point that Lumafield utilized an industrial CT scanner to examine the device, uncovering hidden internal defects.
CT imaging of the power bank revealed that the layers of electrodes do not form a neat configuration. Instead, they distort, bulge, and sometimes misalign, showing a “wavy” pattern rather than a compact arrangement. Such improper stacking greatly heightens the risk of lithium plating or dendrite development, where tiny metal strands can form and potentially lead to internal short circuits or even fires.
Haribo earbuds Lumafield
Why is this important for you? If you possess one of these Haribo-branded batteries or earbuds, it is advisable to rethink their usage.
The issues are structural and undetectable from the outside, meaning the risk persists even if the device appears to be in pristine condition.
Lumafield's findings underscore that this is not merely about low quality but a safety concern that could lead to overheating, premature failure, or fires.
What are the next steps? If you are in search of safer alternatives for your travels, consider exploring some of the best compact power bank deals available during the Black Friday sale, featuring options that provide solid construction without compromising on safety.
Manisha covers technology relevant to daily life, ranging from smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.
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The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.
A recent teardown reveals that the viral Haribo power bank is poorly designed and could potentially present a fire hazard. Misaligned battery layers and inadequate internal construction raise significant safety issues for those depending on it for travel or everyday use.