Random thought, but has anyone thought to make a BMS with an alarm tied to the balance leads (with the alarm running off a smaller separate power source). That way if a board shorted internally you’d hopefully hear it first before anything else happened.
You can get lipo alarms, just plug 2 5s alarms in and pray you’re able to hear. HobbyKing has them I think
just ordered a Google Nest Protect 2 as smart fire alarm because of this thread 
1 Like
I’m afraid those alarms will drain the battery if connected permanently. BMS with an acoustic alarm sounds a good idea to me.
Edit: DieBieMS has a buzzer, doesn’t it?
2 Likes
Internet tells me class B should cover it?
" How to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire
Let’s cut right to the chase. Despite their name, lithium-ion batteries used in consumer products do not contain any actual lithium metal. Therefore, a Class D fire extinguisher is not to be used to fight a lithium-ion battery fire. Class D fire extinguishers, which contain dry powder, are intended for combustible metal fires only. Since lithium-ion batteries aren’t made with metallic lithium, a Class D dry powder extinguisher would not be effective.
So, what kind of fire extinguisher should you use in this scenario? Lithium-ion batteries are considered a Class B fire , so a standard ABC or BC dry chemical fire extinguisher should be used. Class B is the classification given to flammable liquids. Lithium-ion batteries contain liquid electrolytes that provide a conductive pathway, so the batteries receive a B fire classification."
I am no fire expert, just trying to figure out what kind of extinguisher to buy. I leave all my boards in the open of the downstairs of my apt. So I am now sketched tf out.
OP- so sorry for your loss
5 Likes
Thanks for adding this.
I am learning as I go here as well.
Correct on the Class D not actually being appropriate.
I am happy to hear, as I have several ABC extinguishers around the house.
This looks like a good resource.
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/safety_concerns_with_li_ion
I do worry a bit they are not talking about packs in the same magnitude and size of the packs we have.
Simple Guidelines for Using Lithium-ion Batteries
- A failing Li-ion begins to hiss, bulge and leak electrolyte.
- The electrolyte consists of lithium salt in an organic solvent (lithium hexafluorophosphate) and is highly flammable. Burning electrolyte can ignite combustible material in close proximity.
- Dowse Li-ion fire with water or use a regular fire extinguisher. Only use a Class D fire extinguisher for lithium-metal fires because of the reaction of water with lithium. (Li-ion contains little lithium metal reacting with water.)
- If a Class D extinguisher is not available, douse a lithium-metal fire with water to prevent the fire from spreading.
- For best results dowsing a Li-ion fire, use a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder or soda (sodium carbonate) as you would extinguish other combustible fires. Reserve the Class D extinguishers for lithium-metal fires only.
- If the fire of a burning lithium-ion battery cannot be extinguished, allow the pack to burn in a controlled and safe way.
- Be aware of cell propagation as each cell might be consumed on its own time table when hot. Place a seemingly burned-out pack outside for a time.
1 Like
I have been thinking about storage and safety a lot in the last week. Definitely don’t want to be the cause of a catastrophic event.
Is there any reason to believe that the lithium ion fires are burning hotter than 1000F? I get that our packs have many cells, but are they getting hotter than a standard lithium ion fire.
If pythagoras hasn’t failed me, an 85 gallon steel drum should fit a 40" board with rear mount motors. They are ~$200 USD and would have a melting point of ~1400F. 55g drums are $0-$20 and could be used on shorter boards or cut/welded for something taller. A lot of them have hazardous waste lids that seal. Would be pretty easy to run an alarm and charger into the lid. Store it in the garage on some sand and call it good enough?
Seems too easy. What am I not considering?
2 Likes
You don’t want the container to be sealed. Otherwise pressure can build up inside as the batteries are burning, which may eventually lead to an explosion. That’s at least what I have gathered from reading up on the topic since yesterday.
5 Likes
@janpom A lot of them have 3/4" vents at the top, but it would be easy enough to vent if it needed to be bigger.
Also, how about refractory fire bricks? 2700F fire temp rating. Line a cabinet or Jobox with those and it definitely would be contained. Would have smoke damage or soot in the garage/basement, but better than ashes for a house.
You could use the bricks and castable refractory to build a little stand alone box.
1 Like
Do you have a link for this drum you are talking about?
https://bascousa.com/85-gallon-unlined-steel-salvage-drum.html
You can see the spot for the vent in the picture. 18 guage. SHipping is the issue. THere are tons of 55g ones around me for free, but don’t see an 85g. Uline and grainger sell them for a little more, but probably don’t have to pay shipping.
Also was thinking a solvent cabinet with some fire brick lining it would be a good solution. Or build a pizza oven in the back yard and store it in there when not in use. LOL.
4 Likes
I kinda like the jobox with fire bricks idea
TLDR, how about a fireproof blanket for emergencies when you’re there. Not sure that would do anything
Granted, a board sitting and left unattended is gonna be rather challenging to prevent fire damage unless it’s in a fire cabinet. And then if one board burns all of your boards burn.
Leaving boards in a room with a tile floor and away from the wall is a good start. It’s definitely a challenging problem to solve economically and without big disadvantages.
I’m in an apartment. I can’t put a fire cabinet or 55 gallon drum in here.
1 Like
I started hunting around on Craigslist and OfferUp and found a few steel storage cabinets and lockers. I ended up with this one, fits my boards, pads, helmets AND charging gear. Spent half of what I spent just on nickel so far this year. I’m gonna line it with drywall a la @Andy87 and live happily ever after (again).
In the meantime, I thought this was cool …
8 Likes
Are you going to keep that outside? Cause with that socal heat you might cook your stuff…
1 Like
It’ll be in the shade👍
(more importantly, it’ll be outside)
1 Like
Yep.
Im now trying to calculate how much drywall I need and dreading dragging the 70lbs sheets to my basement…
Definitely seems like a good addition to my metal cabinet.
1 Like
Ok so this thread has me searching for safe storage options haha. This thing may be overkill, really heavy, and even too small for alot our decks. But maybe?
3 Likes
I like the box. Looks pretty cool. 
12" might be a bit on the the narrow side for some decks, especially if you’d want to put in some drywall padding.
1 Like
Man this thread makes me worry for sure. I don’t have any good solutions for storing my boards or batteries. Removable batteries are looking more and more appealing
2 Likes