Chuckles1

With winter approaching, am considering acquiring some sort of fireproof container to store my two triangle batteries in over winter. A six gallon galvanized steel trash can comes to mind, as I have a couple of these I use for stove ashes. The only problem with that is an explosion would blow the lid off and possibly upend the container, which would be inside my home; so it might not serve it's purpose. I suppose a separate container for each battery would make sense, but these containers are bulky, as they arent shaped like a triangle battery.

All the fireproof, explosionproof bags I've seen advertised are small. I'd be interested to see what solutions others have employed. Any good triangle battery storage containers you can recommend from personal experience?

dedhed

https://www.dnkpower.com/lithium-ion-battery-storage/

What you really want isn't cheap.
​​​​​​https://www.amazon.com/ZARGES-K470-A.../dp/B00A7YRUFM

​​​​​​https://www.vevor.com/flammable-cabi...waApGtEALw_wcB

FBinNY 

Probably the best and safest way to store your batteries is to leave them on the bikes, in a charged condition, and recharge them every month or so. Li Ion batteries don't like to be stored uncharged, so putting them in a box for months may not be good for the batteries. Keeping them on the bike prevents accidentally shorting the terminals, which is probably the single most dangerous possibility. Plus keeping them on the bike ensures air circulating and makes it easy for you to check condition and recharge as needed. FWIW you probably want to keep them charged in the mid range of 20-70%, letting them slow drain then topping back up.

Ultimately the best protection with Li Ion batteries is choosing the source carefully, and avoiding low quality, cheap batteries and knockoffs. Then keep a weather eye for any recalls.

Iride01 

So is there a problem with e-bike batteries bursting into flames spontaneously when not being charged or used under heavy load?

For most any of the few issues I've heard of, they were either while being charged or while in use. And this includes the electric scooters and skateboards since I've not seen much on e-bikes themselves with this problem. The few issues that weren't seem to have been the result of a fire started by some other source.

Chuckles1

I've heard there is a problem of leakage from individual cells that can lead to explosion and fires. With cells sealed inside a hard case, there is no way to notice leakage.

Saw an article recently that noted a proliferation of ebike battery fires in NYC, mostly among delivery ebike riders. Enough of an issue that laws against charging them in apartments were nearly enacted.

Makes me wonder if they should be replaced before they die from old age (reduced capacity).

Iride01 

That would seem to indicate the problem happens when charging them. So putting batteries in some sort of container for storage only might be spending money and being concerned for nothing.

Though if it is a concern to you then you should deal with that concern in what ever makes you feel good. However I might be more concerned about were I charge my e-bike and whether it's left connected to the charger and unattended.

dedhed

Said article.

​​​​​​https://www.npr.org/2022/10/30/11302...etimes-fatally

Leisesturm

New York? New York?? The COL (cost of living) index in NYC is 218! NYC is overrun with low cost delivery vehicles fielded by an army of wage slaves that are not having a quality life experience in the Big Apple. I am pretty sure the battery pack I bought for my cargo bike mid-drive project cost double what that entire melted bike in the clickbait photo cost. As said earlier, its the CHEAP batteries that need to be feared, and rather than buy an $80 battery pack and a $250 bomb disposal unit to charge it in, why not buy a $300 battery pack? <shrug>. I also bought a quality charger that costs what CHEAP battery packs retail for. It will charge to whatever you want, 80, 90, or 100%. For long term storage it is not recommended to charge over 50% and unlike using or charging a battery pack, for storage of a li-ion battery, as cold as possible is what e-bikers in the know adopt. Freezer storage of battery packs NOT IN USE can extend their life by years. FWIW.

veganbikes

I would keep them on the bike and ideally in the 40-60% range and keep the bike in temperature controlled environment. If you have a Bosch equipped bike they have a deep storage mode you can put the batteries into at your local dealer.

I am unsure what the Call2Recycle drums cost but they cannot be cheap, they are designed for runaway/dangerous batteries that pose a risk but are big and heavy and very secure.

Bald Paul

lithium-battery-safety.pdf (washington.edu)

Leisesturm

That article just makes more grist for the group think mill that says Li-ion batteries are to be used with fear and loathing. Ignorance is truly bliss for the millions who use these lethal devices day in and day out with nary a thought given to the extreme danger they are putting themselves and their loved ones in. Catastrophes are rare enough given the sheer proliferation of the technology. In fact, as I understand it, wholesale prices for quality 16850 and 21700 cells are now below $0.07/ea.!! Do the math. The average battery pack has ... what? 70? 80? Cells. Why do the good ones still cost $350? Priced fairly, the good packs would oust the dangerous crap from the marketplace and the rare catastrophes would become non-existent.

Jan Feetz

It appears that there is a problem with the batteries in New York ciity. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/05/us/ma...ies/index.html

indyfabz

Two days ago:

UPDATE: E-bike fire injures 43 in Midtown East apartment building - Gothamist

Resident was believed to be repairing ebikes in the apartment.