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Comment by Abishek_Muthian | Hacker News Reader

I've had my share of spicy pillows ranging from iPad to power bank from upstart company which became spicy after using it for just 3 times[1].

I've been overly cautious of batteries for several years now, I charge my devices with 1A charger and keep it between 40% to 80% . I now carry a single 18650 cell power bank instead of those 10,000 mAh, 20,000mAh power banks.

I don't sleep with phone, tablet or kindle on bed and I force my partner to do the same to her irritation. Last week her MacBook became spicy overnight and I had to rush to Apple Store morning, the price for battery replacement was more than the price of that MacBook in used market so I had to buy a new MacBook.

I miss the good old days where I could take the battery of the Nokia phone and spin it on the table to see if it's become spicy. I pray to EU gods to please force the manufactures to bring back user replaceable batteries.

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/spicypillows/s/fMNcm07aT2

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Your prayers have been (partially) heard. The EU Battery Regulation of 2023 demands that starting February 2027 batteries in all devices have to be user-replaceable with commercially available tools (or for watertight devices or some special device categories replaceable by an independent professional), that replacement batteries have to be available at reasonable prices and that use of third party batteries should not be prevented

Lobbyists have worked hard to weaken the regulation, but it should still be a major improvement over the status quo

Thank you EU, Although I don't live there I'm hoping the manufacturers wouldn't take the effort to make EU specific models of their devices and the benefits are reaped throughout the world.

doubt it, apple still does usb-c only for europe and the rest is stuck at lightning connectors.

That is not true, unless you are referring to devices outside of the iPad and iPhone (which even that I can't find evidence of)? Those went usb-c at the same time globally (by model)

So that's wrong but I'm particularly focused on the word "still". How long are you under the impression they've been doing this?

Is your house especially warm? I’m not doubting that it happened but I’ve had very different experiences (one battery problem in a couple decades) and am curious what might explain the difference other than bad luck.

I live in India, both in North and South at different times of the year and yes it does get extremely hot during summer but I've been very careful and monitor battery temps at all time.

My theory is just I've had a bad luck with batteries.

Interesting, that does sound like terrible luck.

This honestly sounds like the electricity service line into your place is fucked slightly and it is gradually destroying your electronics.

And/or a particularly hot climate. Some environmental effect either way.

I regularly check the electrical outlets and the main supply; it's mostly just my bad luck.

To damage batteries it would have to get through two separate power converters. I'm skeptical of that.

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