So apparently I have been testing batteries all wrong....

[RJFreeman]

I have left all the all important 'shooting test' as per page 33 of Winston batteries operators manual:
http://en.winston-battery.com/index.php/products/download-center/category/oper

[dadler]

It's probably a certification requirement to sell batteries in the USA? 

[Fsck]

there's also a nail test in their safety test regime.

the manual also describes a "battery renewer" which reforms deformed batteries.

[albert22]

I knew that my workbench needed an AK47 

[ivan747]

Do they sell AK47s in the US?

[dom0]

Do they sell AK47s in the US?

http://www.impactguns.com/ak47-rifles.aspx

[Excavatoree]

Do they sell AK47s in the US?

http://www.impactguns.com/ak47-rifles.aspx

It's a problem of terminology.   Import restrictions forbid import of an AK-47 receiver from some countries, but US vendors can make one.   Some say these US made rifles are "AK-47 copies," even if other imported parts are used.   There are some weapons that were imported before the ban, they command high prices.   Opinions vary on which makes are "real."  Some say it's a weapon type, so they all are, some say only the original communist countries made them, others say it must be a Kalashnikov.

Also, some would say a "true" AK-47 is an automatic weapon, while most of them sold in the US are semi-automatic.    Laws do permit people in the US to own automatic weapons, but they must be registered with the BATFE, Be made prior to 1986, and a 200 dollar tax must be paid.  Also, one must get one's chief local law enforcement officer to send a letter stating that he or she approves, along with much other paperwork.  (Trusts are exempt from some requirements, that's another kettle of fish)  Any automatic weapon in the US will be 5 figures or higher. 

Finally, some states and localities have banned these weapons, along with other "scary looking" semi automatics.  (Some jurisdictions, oddly, allow one to own the same weapon if it has a wooden, "non scary looking" stock, but is otherwise the same weapon as a banned one.)

Bottom like, there are weapons called "AK-47s" available for sale, but the devil is in the details.  How long is a piece of string?

[Mechatrommer]

there's also a nail test in their safety test regime.

there is belief in the community saying this kind of test on Lipo is a stupid act from ignorant people.

[ivan747]

They're even quite cheap  What the hell, I can pretend to be a middle eastern terrorist (in the eyes of some paranoids) for only $550 and a fake beard

It's very scary actually, I didn't knew these weapons were so cheap, and I know they're easy to get.

[SeanB]

They're even quite cheap  What the hell, I can pretend to be a middle eastern terrorist (in the eyes of some paranoids) for only $550 and a fake beard

It's very scary actually, I didn't knew these weapons were so cheap, and I know they're easy to get.

Those are still common here, mostly in the hands of criminals. The confiscated ones are smelted in an open hearth furnace when the storerooms get too full, after first being cut in half and with the barrel welded up in the chamber.

As to looking like a terrorist, I would just need to go shop at the local shop for a nice set of white robes, and grow my beard out more and shave everything else from the neck down.

[GlowingGhoul]

An AK-47 is a fully automatic weapon, and not available for sale in the US. There are a tiny number of fully automatic weapons in the hands of civilians, but those are grandfathered in from the 1970's with extremely onerous licensing restrictions. New automatic weapons have not been available to civilians for over 40 years, and there's not a been a single crime committed with a lawfully civilian owned full auto weapon in the US.

So-called "assault rifles" are similar in appearance to their full-auto military counterparts (they look "cool") but have no more firepower than traditional wood stock magazine fed semi-automatic hunting rifles that have been available for nearly 100 years.

Semi-auto=One pull of the trigger, one round fired.

For what it's worth, according to FBI violent crime statistics "feet" are listed as the deadly weapon used in 8 times as many murders as all rifles combined (not just "assault rifles").

[Fungus]

So-called "assault rifles" are similar in appearance to their full-auto military counterparts (they look "cool") but have no more firepower than traditional wood stock magazine fed semi-automatic hunting rifles that have been available for nearly 100 years.

I agree that 'full auto' mostly means "runs out of ammo faster" but let's not downplay the firepower of "semi-automatic hunting rifles". It's still more than one high-powered bullet per second.

For what it's worth, according to FBI violent crime statistics "feet" are listed as the deadly weapon used in 8 times as many murders as all rifles combined (not just "assault rifles").

Read: Most murderers prefer another type of firearm (maybe "pistol"?)

[VK5RC]

Re OP testing of batteries,  IF I was a member of the armed forces,  with lots of electronic devices and batteries probably on the outside of my 'bullet proof vest'  I would like to know that these devices were not going to set me on fire if they caught some shrapnel.
 

[Neverther]

Install battery on russian truck (Zil 131), battery and truck catches fire. No need for AK although the cabin has dedicated mounts for the drivers and codrivers AK.

The original battery hold downs are metal rectangles going over the whole battery, couple centimeters from battery posts. Installing/removing it was kinda annoying so I cut mine to only have the front part, no more dangerous battery hold downs.

[Ölrückstoßdämpfung]

Shooting with an AK47 apparently is an accepted method for testing batteries. I know of a major automotive engineering company who even bought such a gun specifically for conducting tests on lithium ion cells.
If you've been to automotive conferences in the last years, you've probably seen their videos - burning cells, hammering nails through them, and as a highlight someone shooting at them. Later in the evening, when everyone has had a few drinks and starts talking, you wonder if they really bought the AK47 for testing or just because the engineers wanted to have some fun with such a, at least for us in Europe, exotic toy


(Long time lurker, finally I have something to contribute! )

[splin]

They're even quite cheap  What the hell, I can pretend to be a middle eastern terrorist (in the eyes of some paranoids) for only $550 and a fake beard

It's very scary actually, I didn't knew these weapons were so cheap, and I know they're easy to get.

The catch is that whilst your AK47 may be cheap don't forget to factor in the cost of the NIST traceable calibration certificate - assuming you can get hold of an official calibration manual ('pull trigger - if you get loud bang and volunteer test target drops down dead/wounded OR you don't have shrapnel in your head/shoulder or newly missing hands/fingers - pass').

It will need to have a sticker with next calibration date and anti-tamper seal fitted. And as for calibrated ammo...

[amyk]

Who else thought this was going to be a Chinese misspelling of "shorting test" before they looked at the picture/read the replies?

[Len]

The catch is that whilst your AK47 may be cheap don't forget to factor in the cost of the NIST traceable calibration certificate - assuming you can get hold of an official calibration manual ('pull trigger - if you get loud bang and volunteer test target drops down dead/wounded OR you don't have shrapnel in your head/shoulder or newly missing hands/fingers - pass').

It will need to have a sticker with next calibration date and anti-tamper seal fitted. And as for calibrated ammo...

But look at it from the engineer's point of view. Either you can design a test rig that applies a calibrated force through a hardened steel point, or you can order an assault rifle and write a memo justifying it as a "calibrated test instrument".

[dadler]

there's not a been a single crime committed with a lawfully civilian owned full auto weapon in the US.

Not sure if this is a "crime", but pretty close (certainly not the girl's fault):

http://youtu.be/l2l3jXRfCq8

[Stonent]

They're even quite cheap  What the hell, I can pretend to be a middle eastern terrorist (in the eyes of some paranoids) for only $550 and a fake beard

It's very scary actually, I didn't knew these weapons were so cheap, and I know they're easy to get.

Those are still common here, mostly in the hands of criminals. The confiscated ones are smelted in an open hearth furnace when the storerooms get too full, after first being cut in half and with the barrel welded up in the chamber.

As to looking like a terrorist, I would just need to go shop at the local shop for a nice set of white robes, and grow my beard out more and shave everything else from the neck down.

Taken while heading to the shop to buy said white robes.

[GlowingGhoul]

there's not a been a single crime committed with a lawfully civilian owned full auto weapon in the US.

Not sure if this is a "crime", but pretty close (certainly not the girl's fault):

http://youtu.be/l2l3jXRfCq8

My point was that the US is not overrun with easily obtainable automatic weapons as some zealots are happy to suggest to a gullible public.

If you want to point out accidents occurring while engaging in purposeless recreational activities I have a pretty good collection of roller coaster mishap videos....

[SeanB]

Taken while heading to the shop to buy said white robes.

I though I had shot him, but apparently somebody got the camera and the bullets had missed the card.

[nixxon]

I have left all the all important 'shooting test' as per page 33 of Winston batteries operators manual:
http://en.winston-battery.com/index.php/products/download-center/category/oper

Funny test criteria: Any low energy pistol (200 - 1000 Joule) will do the job, but if you test using a high energy rifle (1800 - 3800 Joule), you have to use an AK47.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzzle_energy )

[Whales]

An 18650 would probably fit down the barrel of a 10 gauge shotgun.  Just be wary of voltages when stacking in series -- it's better to alternate polarity with every second battery as most shotguns are only rated to 12 volts.