Spooked by recent recalls - Are these battery charging cabinets worth the investment?

[Max Black]

After reading about that recent situation where riders were told to stop using certain e-bikes immediately, it got me thinking more about something I honestly never paid much attention to before — how we actually charge and store our batteries.

Cheap e-bike maker refuses recall as CPSC tells riders to get rid of it immediately

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a stark warning to riders of the Ridstar Q20 and Q20...

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7.6K views · 39 reactions | 🔋 Check the battery model on your Rad Power Bike. The CPSC is warning users to stop using them, citing fire risk. Rad disagreed with the recall request - arguing replacing the batteries would put them out of business. Many

🔋 Check the battery model on your Rad Power Bike. The CPSC is warning users to stop using them, citing fire risk. Rad disagreed with the recall request - arguing replacing the batteries would put...

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I’ve always just plugged mine in the garage and didn’t think twice. But now I’m realizing most of us probably don’t have any kind of “setup” — it’s just wherever there’s space and an outlet.

I recently came across the idea of dedicated battery charging/storage setups for e-bikes. Didn’t even know that was a thing until now.
Anyone here using something like that?

Lithium-Ion Battery Charging Cabinet – Urban (Compact) | Yolin

Compact Urban charging cabinet for safer indoor lithium-ion battery charging. Double-wall steel, fire suppression, power cutoff, ventilation & smoke alarm by Yolin.

yolintech.com

Not sure if it’s necessary or overkill, but it got me thinking about how people handle charging long-term.

Thoughts?

 

[Gordon71]

The way I've handled it is to never abuse my bike or get it wet. To store my batteries at around 70% during the off season and always balance them at the beginning of the next season. To only use the factory charger that came with the bike. No problems with my Rad Rover or the batteries in the six years I've been using them.

 

[6zfshdb]

Using quality UL batteries and chargers is the best preventative measure you can take, but a charging cabinet is certainly a good idea. Protecting the batteries during storage or transport is also critical.

Before I built a charging rig, I used to charge batteries in a fireplace or my wood stove. I never charged unattended or near combustibles.

I now use this rig:

It's three ammo cans on a dolly with a handle. It can be quickly pulled or pushed with a rake, out the door should a problem occur.
The charger is on a timer and there is a smoke detector directly above.

There are many threads here on the subject with a lot of good ideas. Try the search function.

 

[Extreme1]

Build a cement bunker out of cement block and pavers. It will cost you less than $20. Lowe’s has everything you need and it will take you less than 1/2 hour as you just stack them together.

 

[Gionnirocket]

For me and maybe a bit ignorant but I can't get that paranoid about it. I have my charging setup to typically only reach 80% slowly with a 2a charger so I'm avoiding the overcharging/over heating danger... but that's done because that's all I need, not for fire prevention. I do have a smoke detector above where I charge and can shut down charging remotely with home automation. I have thought about buying heavy duty welding blankets to throw over the bike as removing the battery each day to charge I find annoying. Not that the blankets will stop a fire, but I'm thinking it can at least slow the spread to any combustibles and buy some time if things go to the extreme.
ymmv

 

[scottsdalecommuter]

ive typically charged in my garage and put a small wire basket under the battery charger since it gets pretty warm to get a little airflow under it, that seems to help. been doing this for years and seems to be fine, i dont leave the house with it charging and dont do it overnight for my own peace of mind. i have a rad and thankfully didnt have the batteries they recalled. fwiw: this is my spouse's biggest concern about getting an electric car and especially charging overnight.

 

[Old-tool-guy]

$599? No thanks. As others have noted you can put together an effective charging station for much less money. Or don’t leave the batteries charging after they are full. Or only buy quality chargers and batteries. There are a lot better things to spend $600 on.

 

[RunForTheHills]

A lot of people use an old grill in the backyard. I charge in the kitchen, but never unattended and on a metal cart i can push out the door if it catches fire. I only have batteries from reputable sources, built with name brand cells.

 

[mschwett]

better, IMO, to only buy quality products from reputable manufacturers (who have a lot to lose - not some company without operations and resources in country), treat them well, use only the original charger, and charge in the garage.

when i was building heavy lift drones i used the charging bags and charged on a fire escape while i was in the adjacent room. i figured if something horrible happened the bag would give me enough time to toss the thing into the middle of the street

but i was much younger and marginally dumber then!

 

[spokewrench]

I now use this rig:


It's three ammo cans on a dolly with a handle. It can be quickly pulled or pushed with a rake, out the door should a problem occur.
The charger is on a timer and there is a smoke detector directly above.

How about an automatic extinguisher? Baking soda will extinguish a Lipo fire. When the soda gets hot, it releases CO2, displacing flammable gases if they're lighter than CO2. If the lithium metal catches fire, maybe baking soda will work, but I don't know. Maybe a paving stone would keep a hot ammo box from igniting a floor below it. You put a layer of baking soda in the box, add a rack to support the battery, put the battery in, and hook it up. Maybe you close the lid most of the way. If gases start to burn, maybe the heat will cause the soda to release CO2. Maybe the heat will also melt the battery's charging fuse.

 

[RunForTheHills]

If you don't use your oven, you could charge the battery in there. Or a fireplace. An old grill or old refrigerator in the backyard works.

 

[6zfshdb]

How about an automatic extinguisher? Baking soda will extinguish a Lipo fire. When the soda gets hot, it releases CO2, displacing flammable gases if they're lighter than CO2. If the lithium metal catches fire, maybe baking soda will work, but I don't know. Maybe a paving stone would keep a hot ammo box from igniting a floor below it. You put a layer of baking soda in the box, add a rack to support the battery, put the battery in, and hook it up. Maybe you close the lid most of the way. If gases start to burn, maybe the heat will cause the soda to release CO2. Maybe the heat will also melt the battery's charging fuse.

An automatic extinguisher is a good idea but what kind do you use? Lithium fires generate their own oxidizer, so CO2 has little effect.

The ammo cans are a deterrent at best and hopefully will give me enough time to roll the rig outside. From there, I would just let it burn itself out.

 

[Chargeride]

Place them over a large bucket of water suspended by cardboard.

 

[spokewrench]

An automatic extinguisher is a good idea but what kind do you use? Lithium fires generate their own oxidizer, so CO2 has little effect.

The ammo cans are a deterrent at best and hopefully will give me enough time to roll the rig outside. From there, I would just let it burn itself out.

Some sources say baking soda works. CO2 is 38% heavier than O2, so maybe it could get sucked in and keep the generated gases from mixing or dilute them too much for combustion.

This source agrees with you, that a baking-soda extinguisher won't work.

How to extinguish a LiPo battery fire? - ViBMS Battery

A LiPo battery fire1 can erupt in seconds—violently and without warning. These fires burn hotter than most and are resistant to traditional extinguishing methods. If handled incorrectly, they can lead to explosions, toxic smoke2, or structural fires. You need a specific, informed approach to...

vibms.com

They recommend an extinguisher that shoots sodium carbonate. Hmmm...when baking soda is heated, it produces water, carbon dioxide and.... sodium carbonate!
So, you put baking soda or washing soda in a lid compartment. If things get hotter than anticipated, a latch melts, dumping the powder on the battery.

 

[Max Black]

The way I've handled it is to never abuse my bike or get it wet. To store my batteries at around 70% during the off season and always balance them at the beginning of the next season. To only use the factory charger that came with the bike. No problems with my Rad Rover or the batteries in the six years I've been using them.

That’s a solid method. Sometimes I feel like they just don't make 'em like they used to. The older batteries and chargers seem way more durable than the new stuff coming out today.

 

[Max Black]

Using quality UL batteries and chargers is the best preventative measure you can take, but a charging cabinet is certainly a good idea. Protecting the batteries during storage or transport is also critical.

Before I built a charging rig, I used to charge batteries in a fireplace or my wood stove. I never charged unattended or near combustibles.

I now use this rig:

View attachment 207626
It's three ammo cans on a dolly with a handle. It can be quickly pulled or pushed with a rake, out the door should a problem occur.
The charger is on a timer and there is a smoke detector directly above.

There are many threads here on the subject with a lot of good ideas. Try the search function.

That is a solid setup! I love the use of ammo cans—they’re built tough. But honestly, the 'rake evacuation' plan is genius.

 

[Max Black]

How about an automatic extinguisher? Baking soda will extinguish a Lipo fire. When the soda gets hot, it releases CO2, displacing flammable gases if they're lighter than CO2. If the lithium metal catches fire, maybe baking soda will work, but I don't know. Maybe a paving stone would keep a hot ammo box from igniting a floor below it. You put a layer of baking soda in the box, add a rack to support the battery, put the battery in, and hook it up. Maybe you close the lid most of the way. If gases start to burn, maybe the heat will cause the soda to release CO2. Maybe the heat will also melt the battery's charging fuse.

Sounds like a solid scientific approach. It’s definitely a smart way to handle the heat and potential flames. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly handy with tools, so building a rig like that is probably out of my league. I really admire people who can set this kind of thing up!

 

[Max Black]

$599? No thanks. As others have noted you can put together an effective charging station for much less money. Or don’t leave the batteries charging after they are full. Or only buy quality chargers and batteries. There are a lot better things to spend $600 on.

I’m 100% with you on the quality chargers and batteries part—that’s definitely the most important step. The problem is, I don’t have the DIY skills to build my own setup like some of you guys. For those of us who aren't handy, paying extra for a ready-made solution might be the only way to go for peace of mind...

 

[Max Black]

If you don't use your oven, you could charge the battery in there. Or a fireplace. An old grill or old refrigerator in the backyard works.

No offense intended, but have you actually tried this? Haha. I’d be way too nervous that someone (or I) might accidentally bump the knob and turn the oven on

 

[Max Black]

better, IMO, to only buy quality products from reputable manufacturers (who have a lot to lose - not some company without operations and resources in country), treat them well, use only the original charger, and charge in the garage.

when i was building heavy lift drones i used the charging bags and charged on a fire escape while i was in the adjacent room. i figured if something horrible happened the bag would give me enough time to toss the thing into the middle of the street

but i was much younger and marginally dumber then!

Quality is key. If the brand has skin in the game, they usually build safer products. As for the fire escape strategy—tossing it into the street is definitely an effective, if dramatic, way to handle a battery fire!