Lithium Ion Batteries

[caryc]

With all the electric tools I'm accumulating, I'm starting to worry about these batteries. I keep hearing about them blowing up or starting fires. I don't have a garage but I have a couple storage sheds. One thing I read tells you not to keep those batteries in something like a storage shed that will heat up in the summer.

Do any of you guys worry about this? How do you store your batteries? Is there some kind of fireproof storage box that would be safe to keep them in? I must have about ten or the batteries now.

I keep my ammo in an old locked refrigerator outside. It's all in military moisture proof boxes. I sure don't want to put those batteries in there.

If I put like 6 batteries in an ammo box, is one likely to go off and make a bomb out of the other five?

 

[Mobuck]

I run RIDGID 18V exclusively. Until a few weeks ago, I kept a jumble of batteries/tools in plastic tubs(no lids) in the basement. THEN in a moment of sanity, I bought enough 3-D printed plastic tool and battery holders to get all those up on the wall and easy to reach. No chance of shorting a battery or snapping retainer lips. Keeping those batteries in a semi-controlled temp range will extend their life IMHO.
'Is there some kind of fireproof storage box that would be safe to keep them in? '
I would not recommend a closed storage of any sort as this would be more likely to cause an explosion.

 

[blume357]

I don't think I'd store them in there with the lid latched closed....

I of course have a number of these new super duper batteries and really have never had a problem. I do have a friend who has switched to these new fangled vapor cigarettes and he carried spare batteries in his pocket... that cost him over a hundred grand.... just the trip to get to the burn center was $38,000. ........

Oh and the wife's new hybrid car has specific instructions that if it is in a wreck and towed to park it at least 40ft from any buildings.

 

[blammer]

I wouldn't put in closed storage either. Your idea of keeping in a shed away from the house sounds good, especially if you keep batteries away from flammables. Just an unscientific thought, but maybe pile some concrete bricks around them (with top open) to contain and channel any explosion upward???

Edit: Maybe lay some flame retardant cloth over the top (Like the stuff under car hoods)?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Most accidents happen when charging so be careful when doing that, keep an eye on them and charge in a safe place. It is not a good idea to store then all together. A better solution would be to store them on metal shelves separated by at least a foot.

 

[Mike J]

At work we use a lot of Milwaukee battery tools that use the lithium ion batteries. They are stored in gang boxes & lock boxes on the back of pickup trucks. Sometimes charging all night. Sometimes in the tools. Sometimes just randomly thrown in on a shelf or in a bag. We have been using them for several years & haven't had a problem.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Several years ago I was talking with Karl, 737tdi, about these batteries brought aboard on planes. Karl is an aircraft mechanic, starting in his Marine days up to Southwest Airlines the last time I talked with him. He explained the danger of lithium ion batteries in confinement is if they get too hot, they'll ignite, then, kinda like burning gunpowder, produce their own oxygen and keep on burning, despite efforts to get them extinguished. He drew a "fire triangle" with the three legs of fuel, heat and oxygen to describe what happens when you can't break one of them. You guys who've dealt with fire know the picture he drew, and maybe can tell us more about the batteries.

I hope Karl still lurks here now and then and pops in with a better explanation.

Rick C

 

[Jeepnik]

Like anything else in this world, stuff happens. But I suspect the actual danger has been blown out of proportion.

My batteries are pretty much ignored and inattentively stored until needed. Never had any issues.

 

[Pat-inCO]

To me, the easiest way is to think of how you store primers and gun powder. Do you
have them loose on the bench? (BLEEP) NO! They are in appropriate containers,
separated by type/size, kept in a comparatively cool room (li-ion likes 65 to 80
degrees, but have no problem as long as they are below 100 degrees F.

If you have individual batteries, spend a few dollars to purchase snap-lid plastic
containers. If they are battery packs, find/make a "lid" to assure the plus and minus
leads CAN NOT be shorted together, or against another pack, or anything conductive.

As to charging, keep them above 3.5V and do NOT charge them to above 4.2V.
Long term storage, they like to be at 40-60% charge as you put them away.

P.S. The 18650 batteries fit perfectly in the WalMart water proof match cases ($1)

 

[blume357]

seems I heard somewhere the danger in the batteries is if they get completely drained and then you try to recharge them.... just what I heard somewhere. I'm pretty sure the Milwaukie ones I have have some kind of computer chip in them to keep them from getting completely discharged or over charged.... Also the batteries I have for my drones are the same...there are many stories of the first commercial drones bursting into flames or exploding in mid air.... My big professional drone has a cooling fan in it to keep the battery from over heating.

 

[powder smoke]

Being a Contractor I have battery powered tools lots of them. Never gave the Batteries much thought!
Are they that dangerous where you need to store them in a remote location?
Funny never heard anything about these batteries starting fires. Educate me! ps

May want to look here! https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/shib011819.pdf

 

[Rick Courtright]

Like anything else in this world, stuff happens. But I suspect the actual danger has been blown out of proportion.

My batteries are pretty much ignored and inattentively stored until needed. Never had any issues.

Hi,

Several years ago here in SoCal, a fellow lost his entire collection of RC cars in a lithium ion battery fire where they were stored. If memory serves, close to 1000 cars were destroyed. I can't find the story anywhere yet, but did run into this discussion of the dangers involved with these batteries:

https://www.genre.com/knowledge/publications/pmint1709-1-en.html

Danger over rated? I dunno...

Rick C

 

[mike7mm08]

I don't see them as any more dangerous than a regular battery. Store them properly and your fine. Consistent temp well ventilated and don't have them somewhere that they are going to be bounced around or beat up by other objects. I have not subjected li ion batteries to abuse myself, but have seen how others abuse them without troubles. So I have really no worries when I treat mine well. I think the reason for the safety concerns is when there is a problem with a li ion, typically the same problems that can happen with any battery, the li ion goes from 1 to 10 on the oh crap scale much much faster.

All my tool batteries are kept in a uncovered plastic tote. On a shelf with assorted tools but located as such there is no chance I am dropping anything on them when I go for something else. This is in a spare bedroom.

Which is directly above the basement gunroom probably right inline with my shelf full of primers Then there is all the powder down there. Basically my house burns down I am telling the fire department to stand back and take video it's going to be a helll of show. :roll: