How do you store your lithium batteries? Fireproof bags?

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

Hey!

We all have loads of lithium batteries and it seems so far we've all been lucky and not had our homes burned down.

I was wondering what you do to store Lithium batteries safe from venting, fuming, burning or exploding (rechargeables or primaries).

I came across these "fireproof" LiPo battery bags but I doubt they are of much practical use:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atkgUwGHL_k

A cheap safe could be another option if it allowed for pressure venting, which I doubt. This could actually become lethal as a pressure cooker would I'd imagine.

Any suggestions on how to store batteries / multi-cell lights and what measures can be taken to avoid the wrath of the Lithium Cell being unleashed upon your household?

2

So, due to an issue in which the batteries were not impacted or a factor in the noted fumes, you’re worried about taking more precautions with batteries?

Fair enough I guess. When not in use, I store mine in the ordinary plastic cases they shipped with. The only other precautions I take are only using quality cells from reputable retailers and maintaining them properly, (keep away from heat, lockout lights, buy lights with LVP, etc…).

3

I also just store them in their plastic cases, in a drawer.

You can get really carried away about safety concerns. But, do you also store your cell phone in a fireproof bag when not in use?

I suspect the gasoline in your car is a far bigger fire threat than your lithium ion batteries.

4

Thanks ValuseekeR,

Of course, the batteries where probably the most innocent of parties in that event it’s just that the issue prompted me to consider the storage of batteries and the charging process as minor risks with potentially devastating outcomes. Just to avoid confusion I edited the post, cheers. Great points!

5

Totally! I was thinking if those fireproof bags were enough I’d be in the clear!

Nope, you’re right. But should I? :laughing: :person_facepalming:

Actually as I use it daily and have it close by I’m not as worried about it as I am about forgotten flashlights and batteries kept in storage.

I was hoping I could consolidate all my lithium cells into a safe storage case of some sort and worry about one thing less.

More to the point I guess, I’m wondering if anyone knows of any cases that do this reasonably.

6

For my CR123 lithium metal batteries I store them in a metal tool box in the garage. For my li-ion batteries just in a plastic case in the house.

7

Good name brand cells , stored in plastic cases in a gun safe that no longer has guns in it.

8

Like so

Or so
It’s actually an old tea box, where the glass window was cracked, i replaced it with a tinted piece of perspex, as well as the inlay.

a proper safe might be more safe, but why wouldn’t a laptop be more (or less) dangerous?

9

I store them in the plastic boxes they come with (most of the time) which themselves are stored in an aluminum padded tool case.

Note that Li-ion cells should be stored at about half charge - not fully charged. There is no reason any goes boom or vents if left untouched.

Anyway, i don’t think long-mid term “storing” Li-ion cells does make much sense since they deprecate with time.

10

IMO, it makes sense for those of us not in the US. It is getting more difficult to get lithium-ion cells shipped here. I suspect it’s only a matter of time before they’re banned from shipping entirely, or are prohibitively expensive to ship.

So, I stock up, and have a bunch of cells in long-term storage. Yeah, it might be wasting $100 - $200 of batteries that I’m not using, but I have far more invested in lights that require 18650’s.

11

I just store them in the plastic cases, and in flashlights, usually locked out. I bought one of those fireproof bags for documents, and it was horrible. The fibers were so scratchy and itchy, and got everywhere every time I touched it, so I threw it in the trash.

12



I use this bag. I also take it on vacation with me. I can throw a couple of small lights in there and not have to worry about the batteries when I’m traveling.

13

Metal ammunition boxes available relatively cheaply, new or second hand, on a well known auction site.

14

I still have yet to completely understand the fear of Li-Ion cells. They are in almost everything. The numbers of people hurt or even killed by cells are minuscule in comparison to people being killed and injured by pencils.

I keep all my cells loose in a big empty holiday popcorn tin. When I am feeling like living on the edge, I give it a good shake and hope for the best. My wife calls it my mini Chernobyl.

15

But if your holiday popcorn tin is filled with batteries, where do you keep your Christmas lights? :wink:

16

Hahaha!
I have a tin from 2000 that I have been storing my tree lights in.

17

Would this work?
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1/10023401/9716345-sunnylife-mm-dc294-explosion-proof-battery-safe

18

I keep mine in here. Only drawback is you need to keep a fire extinguisher close by. It’s best if you also disable your smoke alarm…it gets annoying after a couple of storage attempts.

19

Do you use gloves?
They look sharp .

20

I have equal number of flashlights/batteries. All flashlights ready to go.