E-Bike Fire Warning

[Number_35]

I'm not sure if it's reasonable to post this here in the EV section, but there has been discussion about EV battery fires here.

Anyway, we're visiting my sister and family in B.C., took the dogs over the nearby university campus, and I spotted this sign on the bike lock-up.

 

[AZjeff]

Sign of the times. What else can you say?

 

[Randol]

Not just E-bikes. Last year a Marina burned down in our area. The fire started in the power tool charging area on a wood bench.
Don't charge unattended. I have changed my habits with charging Li-Po batteries because of the real threat. I'm an RC airplane and car user, the batteries are stored in a vented steel enclosure when not in use at the proper storage level.
I think if I owned a business that used power tools there would be no unattended (i.e. overnight) charging, and the charging and storage of batteries would be in a steel fire cabinet.

We have a couple of E-Bikes, big batteries, lots of energy density. I only charge them when I'm around, In the middle of the shop, away from flammables, same for storage.

I'll get off of my soapbox

 

[CKN]

The e-bikes that have issues are the cheap ones made in China or put together here with Chinese components.

I have a Specilaized e-bike-not cheap and there have been no accounts on those catching fire.

 

[circuitsmith]

I attach my e-bike charger to a timer.
I've measured with a voltmeter and figured out how long to charge to 80% when the battery display gauge is down one bar, two bars etc.
Still, I only charge during the day and when I'm nearby.
I do a cell balancing full charge 2-3X per year, and right before a long ride.

 

[Pablo]

The e-bikes that have issues are the cheap ones made in China or put together here with Chinese components.

I have a Specilaized e-bike-not cheap and there have been no accounts on those catching fire.

This.

Don't use cheap crap.

 

[alarmguy]

Unrelated to vehicles, but related to Tesla.
Tesla is recalling over 10,000 Powerwall 2 systems (back up lithium batteries) for homes.

Even expensiveprice doesn’t make up for bad engineering.

 

[Arc]

Not just E-bikes. Last year a Marina burned down in our area. The fire started in the power tool charging area on a wood bench.
Don't charge unattended. I have changed my habits with charging Li-Po batteries because of the real threat. I'm an RC airplane and car user, the batteries are stored in a vented steel enclosure when not in use at the proper storage level.
I think if I owned a business that used power tools there would be no unattended (i.e. overnight) charging, and the charging and storage of batteries would be in a steel fire cabinet.

We have a couple of E-Bikes, big batteries, lots of energy density. I only charge them when I'm around, In the middle of the shop, away from flammables, same for storage.

I'll get off of my soapbox

I had that happen with a tool battery once when Milwaukee changed to lithium. Brand new battery that had been sitting on the shelf for years unused and when I found it I threw it on the charger and left to do some shopping. When I came back the garage was full of fumes and the battery was smoking hot. Grabbed a big pair of channel lock pliers and tossed it out in the driveway. Another minute or two and my garage workbench would have been on fire. Now I only buy the old NiCD style batteries.

 

[Arc]

The e-bikes that have issues are the cheap ones made in China or put together here with Chinese components.

I have a Specilaized e-bike-not cheap and there have been no accounts on those catching fire.

Lithium batteries have been catching fire since they were introduced. Price has nothing to do with it. As a contractor I bought thousands of tool batteries over the years and watched many a Milwaukee battery have a melt down. On average the electricians would charge each battery at least twice a day and they lasted about a year.

 

[JeffKeryk]

This.

Don't use cheap crap.

I hate cheap tools.

 

[CKN]

Lithium batteries have been catching fire since they were introduced. Price has nothing to do with it. As a contractor I bought thousands of tool batteries over the years and watched many a Milwaukee battery have a melt down. On average the electricians would charge each battery at least twice a day and they lasted about a year.

No. Price has something to do with it. The stories state or suggest majority of e-bike fires are sub $2,000.00 bikes. The good ones are not catching fire. Other wise we can disagree.

 

[ripcord]

No. Price has something to do with it. The stories state or suggest majority of e-bike fires are sub $2,000.00 bikes. The good ones are not catching fire. Other wise we can disagree.

The box store and Amazon e-bikes outsell the expensive ones 50 to 1 (my very reasonable guess-timate). Of course you will hear about more fires in that category.

 

[AZjeff]

The e-bikes that have issues are the cheap ones made in China or put together here with Chinese components.

I have a Specilaized e-bike-not cheap and there have been no accounts on those catching fire.

Agree about the cheap chinese ebikes (Amazon).

Specialized had a recall at one point for fire risk caused by water getting into the battery so there must have been incidents.

 

[Pablo]

Tool battery fires for top name tools are numerically and statistically very low

 

[Arc]

No. Price has something to do with it. The stories state or suggest majority of e-bike fires are sub $2,000.00 bikes. The good ones are not catching fire. Other wise we can disagree.

Maybe people ride the cheap ones more and therefore they have more charges. When it comes to lithium batteries they all tend to catch fire regardless of price.

 

[Pablo]

When it comes to lithium batteries they all tend to catch fire regardless of price.

That's not actually true.

 

[Arc]

That's not actually true.

Do you know of any cell manufacturer that hasn't experienced a fire?

 

[Pablo]

Do you know of any cell manufacturer that hasn't experienced a fire?

Spontaneous fire, just “random “? All the big guys don’t experience such fires

Fires related to external idiocy sure

 

[zzyzzx]

Not just E-bikes. Last year a Marina burned down in our area. The fire started in the power tool charging area on a wood bench.

I'm adding this story to my long list of reasons to only own corded tools.

 

[Pablo]

I'm adding this story to my long list of reasons to only own corded tools.

Because no fires have ever started with cords, connections, extension cords