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...

electrek.co

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!