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

[Chargeride]

The FCC have just banned all none US fully manufactured routers.

US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers

There are almost no major brands of internet routers that are manufactured in the US.

www.bbc.co.uk

I wonder how long before it spreads to other electronics and software.

Loads of chinese bms have bluetooth and bespoke apps.
I was here for the birth of the netz and maybe here for its demise

 

[stompandgo]

This probably deserves it's own thread.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Quality hardware, understanding battery safety basics and common sense are key... but we also need to put things into perspective.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and FEMA, the top 10 most common causes of house fires are:
1.Cooking: Unattended frying, grilling, or boiling; grease buildup; and flammable items (like towels) too close to the heat.
2.Heating Equipment: Second leading cause overall. Risks include space heaters placed too close to curtains or furniture, unmaintained furnaces, and wood-burning stoves.
3.Electrical Systems & Malfunctions: Faulty wiring (especially in older homes), overloaded power strips, and loose outlets.
4.Careless Smoking: Discarding cigarettes improperly or smoking in bed; this is a leading cause of fire-related deaths.
5.Candles: Leaving an open flame unattended or placing it near flammable materials like paper or fabric.
6.Intentional (Arson): Fires set deliberately, which account for about 4% of incidents.
7.Children Playing with Fire: Curiosity with matches, lighters, or fireworks.
8.Appliances (specifically Clothes Dryers): Accumulation of lint in dryer vents is the primary trigger for these fires.
8.Open Flames (Other): This includes fireplaces without screens, outdoor grills used too close to the structure, and fire pits.
10. Flammable Liquids: Improper storage of gasoline, kerosene, or cleaning solvents near heat sources.

I'm not suggesting that you approach this with your head in the sand but lithium batteries don't even make the list. I haven't stopped cooking or heating my home or using my fireplace, the top causes... But I do implement the necessary precautions without hysteria

 

[Max Black]

This probably deserves it's own thread.

I agree it deserves its own focus.

 

[Max Black]

Quality hardware, understanding battery safety basics and common sense are key... but we also need to put things into perspective.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and FEMA, the top 10 most common causes of house fires are:
1.Cooking: Unattended frying, grilling, or boiling; grease buildup; and flammable items (like towels) too close to the heat.
2.Heating Equipment: Second leading cause overall. Risks include space heaters placed too close to curtains or furniture, unmaintained furnaces, and wood-burning stoves.
3.Electrical Systems & Malfunctions: Faulty wiring (especially in older homes), overloaded power strips, and loose outlets.
4.Careless Smoking: Discarding cigarettes improperly or smoking in bed; this is a leading cause of fire-related deaths.
5.Candles: Leaving an open flame unattended or placing it near flammable materials like paper or fabric.
6.Intentional (Arson): Fires set deliberately, which account for about 4% of incidents.
7.Children Playing with Fire: Curiosity with matches, lighters, or fireworks.
8.Appliances (specifically Clothes Dryers): Accumulation of lint in dryer vents is the primary trigger for these fires.
8.Open Flames (Other): This includes fireplaces without screens, outdoor grills used too close to the structure, and fire pits.
10. Flammable Liquids: Improper storage of gasoline, kerosene, or cleaning solvents near heat sources.

I'm not suggesting that you approach this with your head in the sand but lithium batteries don't even make the list. I haven't stopped cooking or heating my home or using my fireplace, the top causes... But I do implement the necessary precautions without hysteria

Quality hardware, understanding battery safety basics and common sense are key... but we also need to put things into perspective.

Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and FEMA, the top 10 most common causes of house fires are:
1.Cooking: Unattended frying, grilling, or boiling; grease buildup; and flammable items (like towels) too close to the heat.
2.Heating Equipment: Second leading cause overall. Risks include space heaters placed too close to curtains or furniture, unmaintained furnaces, and wood-burning stoves.
3.Electrical Systems & Malfunctions: Faulty wiring (especially in older homes), overloaded power strips, and loose outlets.
4.Careless Smoking: Discarding cigarettes improperly or smoking in bed; this is a leading cause of fire-related deaths.
5.Candles: Leaving an open flame unattended or placing it near flammable materials like paper or fabric.
6.Intentional (Arson): Fires set deliberately, which account for about 4% of incidents.
7.Children Playing with Fire: Curiosity with matches, lighters, or fireworks.
8.Appliances (specifically Clothes Dryers): Accumulation of lint in dryer vents is the primary trigger for these fires.
8.Open Flames (Other): This includes fireplaces without screens, outdoor grills used too close to the structure, and fire pits.
10. Flammable Liquids: Improper storage of gasoline, kerosene, or cleaning solvents near heat sources.

I'm not suggesting that you approach this with your head in the sand but lithium batteries don't even make the list. I haven't stopped cooking or heating my home or using my fireplace, the top causes... But I do implement the necessary precautions without hysteria

That's a fair comparison, and the data doesn't lie. But context matters too. Living in a small apartment, the 'risk profile' feels different than in a large house with a detached garage.

If my stove catches fire, I'm usually right there to handle it. But if a battery goes into thermal runaway while I'm asleep in the next room, the speed and toxicity of that fire in a small space is terrifying.
I agree we shouldn't live in fear, but for apartment dwellers, that specific low-probability event could be catastrophic. That's why I'm looking at these lithium-ion battery charging cabinets—not out of hysteria, but as an insurance policy for a worst-case scenario.

 

[6zfshdb]

That's a fair comparison, and the data doesn't lie. But context matters too. Living in a small apartment, the 'risk profile' feels different than in a large house with a detached garage.

If my stove catches fire, I'm usually right there to handle it. But if a battery goes into thermal runaway while I'm asleep in the next room, the speed and toxicity of that fire in a small space is terrifying.
I agree we shouldn't live in fear, but for apartment dwellers, that specific low-probability event could be catastrophic. That's why I'm looking at these lithium-ion battery charging cabinets—not out of hysteria, but as an insurance policy for a worst-case scenario.

For those living in confined spaces, with no other alternatives, these charging cabinets might be a viable option. However, instead of spending $600 on a cabinet, another idea would be to put that money toward a quality UL approved battery.

 

[Gionnirocket]

That's a fair comparison, and the data doesn't lie. But context matters too. Living in a small apartment, the 'risk profile' feels different than in a large house with a detached garage.

If my stove catches fire, I'm usually right there to handle it. But if a battery goes into thermal runaway while I'm asleep in the next room, the speed and toxicity of that fire in a small space is terrifying.
I agree we shouldn't live in fear, but for apartment dwellers, that specific low-probability event could be catastrophic. That's why I'm looking at these lithium-ion battery charging cabinets—not out of hysteria, but as an insurance policy for a worst-case scenario.

That sheds a little more light on your particular situation. You also need to consider other tenants in your situation so perhaps taking extra measures may be prudent.
I say do whatever will give you peace of mind.

 

[RunForTheHills]

I think that those cabinets would not be able to contain the smoke unless they were vented to the outside. The first and best investment would be as @6zfshdb said and buy a quality battery built with name brand cells and never charge it unattended or while you are sleeping. Most of the time, but not always, they catch fire when they are being charged.

 

[Gordon71]

I think that those cabinets would not be able to contain the smoke unless they were vented to the outside. The first and best investment would be as @6zfshdb said and buy a quality battery built with name brand cells and never charge it unattended or while you are sleeping. Most of the time, but not always, they catch fire when they are being charged.

Your last sentence, if correct, tells me unauthorized chargers are involved. Trying to fast charge?

 

[RunForTheHills]

Your last sentence, if correct, tells me unauthorized chargers are involved. Trying to fast charge?

??? I haven't personally experienced an ebike battery fire. I use a Grin Satiator. My batteries are from Grin and EM3EV. Both companies sell the Grin Satiator for charging their batteries...

 

[Gordon71]

??? I haven't personally experienced an ebike battery fire. I use a Grin Satiator. My batteries are from Grin and EM3EV. Both companies sell the Grin Satiator for charging their batteries...

I didn't mean you. I'm curious in general. If most ebike fires occur during charging is it because unauthorized chargers meant to quickly charge a battery are the main reason.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Battery failures are usually a result of manufacturing defects, physical damage, or abuse. If you have a quality battery, it should have a BMS that prevents charging the battery at too high a current. It will shutdown the battery properly at the low voltage cutoff. It won't discharge at too high a current. And the best ones will have bluetooth to allow you to monitor the battery and cell balance.

If you have a cheap battery using generic no-name cells, you can be sure that corners were cut during the manufacturing of the cells and the safety features of the BMS. There is a higher risk of internal shorting in the battery and of overcharging or charging at too high a rate with a cheap battery. Failures usually happen during charging, because the internal temperature of the battery is higher during charging than when the battery is not being used.

 

[Gordon71]

Battery failures are usually a result of manufacturing defects, physical damage, or abuse. If you have a quality battery, it should have a BMS that prevents charging the battery at too high a current. It will shutdown the battery properly at the low voltage cutoff. It won't discharge at too high a current. And the best ones will have bluetooth to allow you to monitor the battery and cell balance.

If you have a cheap battery using generic no-name cells, you can be sure that corners were cut during the manufacturing of the cells and the safety features of the BMS. There is a higher risk of internal shorting in the battery and of overcharging or charging at too high a rate with a cheap battery. Failures usually happen during charging, because the internal temperature of the battery is higher during charging than when the battery is not being used.

I have two batteries for my Rad Rover that are 5 and 6 years old. They've never even gotten warm when charging. The charger gets a little warm to the touch but never the batteries.