South Africans developing systems to stop lithium batteries from exploding

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South Africans developing systems to stop lithium batteries from exploding

Several South African firms are developing innovative fire-suppression systems to quickly extinguish overheating lithium-ion batteries before they explode or become larger blazes.

Lithium-ion is the most common chemistry used in the world's rechargeable batteries, including fixed home backup packs and mobile units in electric vehicles.
 
These systems are all just a band aid on a bullet wound. You can't do much about a fuel-oxidiser system that is reacting uncontrollably. (See also: every rocket disassembly.)

Even without fire you're going to have issues with the fumes.

The main problem as I see it is there's insufficient guidance / rules established yet on where not to install these things.

Ideally, have your batteries separate from the house, in a purpose built shed if need be.

But at the very least, don't be putting several kWh of chemistry under the staircase leading up the bedrooms, for heavens sake. Or in the passage leading out of the kitchen. That should simply be illegal. I don't care if they're inherently safe LFP with alarms and "extinguishers" in place. Batteries must never sit between you and your escape route.
 
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Tomtomtom said:
In some ways these systems are all just a band aid on a bullet wound. You can't do much about a fuel-oxidiser system that is reacting uncontrollably. (See also: every rocket disassembly.)

Even without fire you're going to have issues with the fumes.

The main problem as I see it is there's insufficient guidance / rules established yet on where to install these things, or just where not to install them.

Ideally, have your batteries separate from the house, in a purpose built shed if need be.

But at the very least, don't be putting several kWh of chemistry under the staircase leading up the bedrooms, for heavens sake. Or in the passage leading out of the kitchen. That should simply be illegal. I don't care if they're inherently safe LFP with alarms and "extinguishers" in place. Batteries must never go between you and your escape route.
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I didn't even bother reading the article. Just use LFP and a fan.
 
wingnut771 said:
I didn't even bother reading the article. Just use LFP and a fan.
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And what do you do with a set of parallel batteries that came from Scot, after you woke up one morning to see that your off-grid inverter did not want to start up, caused by one of the batteries showing 0V/dead cell (or something).
 
ld13 said:
And what do you do with a set of parallel batteries that came from Scot, after you woke up one morning to see that your off-grid inverter did not want to start up, caused by one of the batteries showing 0V/dead cell (or something).
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Don't know. My scot batteries are still fine. Actually, I would try jump it with another 12V battery and if that doesnt work then would open it up and see what the issue is. How does it not start up if only one battery in parallel is not working? That tells me 2 batteries are at 0V.
 
Tomtomtom said:
But at the very least, don't be putting several kWh of chemistry under the staircase leading up the bedrooms, for heavens sake. Or in the passage leading out of the kitchen. That should simply be illegal. I don't care if they're inherently safe LFP with alarms and "extinguishers" in place. Batteries must never sit between you and your escape route.
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RaptorSA's rental unit: Battery right next to kitchen + entrance
RaptorSA's home: Battery right underneath main staircase.

1778064778901.png
 
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wingnut771 said:
Don't know. My scot batteries are still fine. Actually, I would try jump it with another 12V battery and if that doesnt work then would open it up and see what the issue is. How does it not start up if only one battery in parallel is not working? That tells me 2 batteries are at 0V.
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This was a few moons ago, so excuse some inaccuricies: 0V on the one pulled the other one down. Disconnected the lot. Cannot remember the voltages post disconnect. One recovered to normal voltages, other one only did the same after I put it on a proper charger for a while. My money is on one of the two being problematic. I feel uncomfortable with them in the house still.
I am yet to open them to peek inside
 
ld13 said:
This was a few moons ago, so excuse some inaccuricies: 0V on the one pulled the other one down. Disconnected the lot. Cannot remember the voltages post disconnect. One recovered to normal voltages, other one only did the same after I put it on a proper charger for a while. My money is on one of the two being problematic. I feel uncomfortable with them in the house still.
I am yet to open them to peek inside
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I think both are fine. They just went flat.
 
How often do properly installed lithium batteries with on-board/inverter management which monitor temperature actually "blow up", though? Is this really a huge problem?

Just asking.
 
MrGray said:
How often do properly installed lithium batteries with on-board/inverter management which monitor temperature actually "blow up", though? Is this really a huge problem?

Just asking.
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Definitely not a huge problem.
But definitely something to keep in mind and plan ahead for what to do if it ever does happen.

The most important thing is not to f**k around and stay anywhere near the fumes... I've seen too many videos online of people hanging around lithium fires/off-gassing events not realizing the risk.

My battery is in a concrete room under the staircase. I considered adding an extractor fan for an emergency, but a few months ago I realized I can probably get one of these brushless smart standing fans from Xiaomi and convert it into my own extraction fan with some 3D printed parts. The best part is it should be able to run off 12Volts (backup battery for when inverter/battery goes *poof*), it can motor like a mofo if needed, it's already fully integrated into my home assitant setup if needed so I can have it automatically adjust to turn on/off etc. when my passive Deye inverter gets a bit hot under the collar... it's also going to work out cheaper than the crappy overpriced and noisy extractor fan options I've seen.

1778066943236.png
 
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MrGray said:
How often do properly installed lithium batteries with on-board/inverter management which monitor temperature actually "blow up", though? Is this really a huge problem?
Click to expand...

Probably not at an individual level. But a small problem multiplied by millions of homes might still be worth doing something about. This is why insurers tend to be at the forefront of this stuff.

Look at e.g. gas and geyser regulations: largely about limiting insured risks. It's not like LPG cans randomly blow up under your kitchen counters. But there are still dangers that can be mitigated for no real effort, like not putting them right next to electrical switches.
 
RaptorSA said:
RaptorSA's rental unit: Battery right next to kitchen + entrance
RaptorSA's home: Battery right underneath main staircase.

View attachment 1906142
Click to expand...

RaptorSA's escape procedure:

giphy.gif
 
This is why the Tesla Powerwall has an IP67 rating for mounting outdoors.
 
garyc said:
This is why the Tesla Powerwall has an IP67 rating for mounting outdoors.
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Lithium and outdoors in winter might be an issue if not self-heated. The BMS will cut off the battery if I recall correctly if temps hit zero and under which happens in SA.

Thats why cellphone towers still use LA batteries in very cold areas.
 
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