There is no metallic lithium in these cells it's an inert compound of lithium ....

It cannot leak out , the steel tube is a pressure container designed to prevent any leakage ...

The container is steel. Steel, even if nickel plated, rusts in time. Toxicity of lithium is not limited to the metal. Its salts are also toxic. If it were an "inert" compound, then the battery wouldn't be a battery. Here's something to read: https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion Here's an image of soe rusted cells (Source: https://www.electricbike.com/inside-18650-cell/ ).

There is a slight possibility of electrolysis occurring ...ANY battery put in water containing minerals will start electrolysis , chlorine gas emitted will react with the metal terminals , nothing in practice to worry about , too small amounts .

What chlorine? Where does it come from?

 

The container is steel. Steel, even if nickel plated, rusts in time. Toxicity of lithium is not limited to the metal. Its salts are also toxic. If it were an "inert" compound, then the battery wouldn't be a battery. Here's something to read: https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion Here's an image of soe rusted cells (Source: https://www.electricbike.com/inside-18650-cell/ ).
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What chlorine? Where does it come from?

Inert meaning non reactive (in water) ...lithium metal is very reactive emitting H2 , sparking ...
Well ... no one is suggesting the cells are left in the water , after a year they will look like the ones in your picture ...

Chlorine comes from electrolysis of salt water , well water will be very very slightly salty.. =NaOH + H2 +Cl2

 

Inert meaning non reactive (in water) ...lithium metal is very reactive emitting H2 , sparking ...
Well ... no one is suggesting the cells are left in the water , after a year they will look like the ones in your picture ...

Please, let's agree on using an English disctionary.

 

Thank you for your replies. I will try in the morning and let you know.

Just an update, the fishing expedition came up naught. There was too much gravel at the bottom and although I could feel the torch through the string, the magnet did not grab.
I am currently draining the well and will head down on a ladder tomorrow.
If I do not make it out, avenge my death.
And thanks for your time and advice.

 

The water-proof flashlights that I have do not leak. And lithium batteries do not leak. I would be cautious about a magnet in the well because if the well casing is steel it will grab to that very strong. Is the water depth 24 feet, or is it that the bottom of the well is 24 feet, or is the water just 24 feet down? AND, is the light still visible? What is the diameter of the well?

 

Just an update, the fishing expedition came up naught. There was too much gravel at the bottom and although I could feel the torch through the string, the magnet did not grab.
I am currently draining the well and will head down on a ladder tomorrow.
If I do not make it out, avenge my death.
And thanks for your time and advice.

A decent sized neodymium magnet will definitely grab it if the draining option does not work out .

 

A grabbing arrangement on the end of a long pole, such as 3 ten foot sections of plastic conduit could reach it, and if it is only 24 feet down there would be no chance of loosing it if it were adequately fastened. And it would not waste all of that water. Such an arrangement could even be operated by a rope down through the pipe.
But if the well is wide enough for a ladder then how about an snorkel set up but with an air hose, and just go under water for a bit?

 

On the bright side a 24 foot deep well is not very deep. I would likely start with some type of fishing expedition depending on type of well and pipe diameters. Magnet on long pole or grabber fastened to long pole. The idea being to get the foreign object out of the well. Without seeing exactly what you have it's hard to suggest how to remove anything.

Ron

 

Just an update, the fishing expedition came up naught. There was too much gravel at the bottom and although I could feel the torch through the string, the magnet did not grab.
I am currently draining the well and will head down on a ladder tomorrow.
If I do not make it out, avenge my death.
And thanks for your time and advice.

Final update. I drained the well and got down there. It was far too silty for a magnet to have worked it turns out.
The torch was recovered after nearly 48 hours and had not been compromised. Still works perfectly.
The well is filling slowly.
My wife is cooling down and I'm off to get a floating torch for well inspections.
Thanks one and all for your input.

 

have you calculated the concentration in a well of undefined volume over an unknown number of years in which it might leach out of those unknown number of batteries?

Too many unknowns for my liking. I remember when they were saying ("They" equals "The Experts") were saying that DDT was good for you. I saw videos of kids getting happily sprayed with DDT, thinking it was something good. Just because someone is saying not to worry, years from now you may be hearing a different story. Today DDT is outlawed because of its very hazardous effects. What will an unknown lithium chemistry along with other potential unknown chemicals inside do to your health?

ME? I'd do whatever is necessary to get that flashlight out of the well. Scuba gear, since it is big enough to enter the well, and have someone - who won't pee in your well - retrieve the flashlight. And anything else that doesn't belong in the bottom of a well.

Just my opinion.

[edit] AH! I see you solved the problem. Good. I had another thought - but is now moot. I was going to ask if there was a lanyard on the flashlight. Perhaps a treble hook (for fishing) might snag the lanyard. But alas - problem solved. Good job. No worries mate. 'av'a g'day.

 

I suggest that instead of getting a floating flashlight that a mains powered light with a well attached power cord will be a better choice. It could be selected to be much brighter and illuminate a larger area, and at the same time be simpler to handle, since the cord can be easily secured prior to starting to lower the light. Of course there are a few who will go into a panic at the concept of a mains powered light near a water well. But you would be lowering it, not holding it.
And a separate concern, far more rational, is about how accidental access to the well is achieved. Almost every year we see the news that some poor child has fallen into a well some place in the world. So I am hoping that the well is adequately closed and secured normally.

 

I'm off to get a floating torch for well inspections.

I'd just take precautions to make retrieval easier. Like attaching a line to the flashlight so you can pull it out if it's dropped.

 

I'd just take precautions to make retrieval easier. Like attaching a line to the flashlight so you can pull it out if it's dropped.

Consider that a mains powered light will not contain batteries of any kind, and that an inspection type unit such as those that normally have spring return cord reels will be well attached to their cable. No possibility of any kind of battery chemicals. at all.

 

I'd just take precautions to make retrieval easier. Like attaching a line to the flashlight so you can pull it out if it's dropped.

Yep, braided polypropylene rope works.

 

Glad you got through it. Lessons learned.

Almost every year we see the news that some poor child has fallen into a well some place in the world.

Mostly it's grandpa and Lassie always gets help.

I agree as to just putting a permanent light down there. Now I am no well guru but of the people I know with shallow wells like described they have 240 VAC pumps down there so I don't see where adding a light, if done correctly, would be an issue.

Ron

 

What we know is that the well is in New Zealand and that the diameter is large enough for a ladder and somebody to climb down to the 24 foot level. We also got a comment that there was a lot of silt.
Neither the usage of the water from the well nor the means of getting it out have been mentioned. So there has been an incredible amount of guessing going on.
My MAG brand flashlights are quite waterproof when closed, and even one that leaked at some pressure point will stop leaking in when the pressures inside and outside equalize. I would not waste my time using a magnet to attract an aluminum flashlight, but some sort of scoop on a longer pole could probably retrieve it, which would not be hard to locate if it had been lit when it fell in. Any light against the blackness of 24 feet down would stand out clearly.