This might sound like a topic I’d much rather not talk about as someone who sells batteries for a living, but I believe it’s essential to highlight the potential risks of building DIY batteries. By taking proper precautions, we can all stay safe.
A Close Call with a DIY Battery Fire
Today, a customer called me. I had sold him some Victron gear (I had not sold him a battery nor cells, but that’s not really relevant) roughly a year ago.
He told me about what happened to him two days ago:
He was working on his DIY 48V 280Ah (using EVE cells) battery, when he accidentally dropped a metal spanner. It created a dead short across the terminals, creating a surge current of well over 1000A. It melted the bus bars and fused the spanner to the battery cells.
Are LiFePO4 Batteries Completely Safe?
Sometimes people say that LiFePO4 cells can’t catch fire. That’s not quite true and while they are much safer than NMC or Lithium Polymer cells, the vapourised electrolyte can catch fire and I believe it has a flash point somewhere between 700 to 800°C.
In this case, the pressure relief valves blew and created quite a directional fire. Thanks to my customer’s quick reaction only ~$600 of gear (other than the cells) was destroyed as he was able to remove the cells from the motorhome.
He got extremely lucky! If it had been NMC or Lithium Polymer cells, there’s simply no way he would have been able to save the motorhome and his life may even have been in danger. But even with the safer LiFePO4, it was still a very precarious situation. It’s something that could happen to most of us in a moment of inattention.
Safety Tips for DIY Lithium Batteries
While building batteries can be a rewarding hobby, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Here are some tips to stay safe while working on your DIY battery projects:
- Use insulated tools: Prevent accidental shorts.
- Wear eye protection: Protect against sparks and flying debris.
- Minimize distractions: Focus fully on the task at hand.
- Have an emergency plan: Know what you’ll do if something goes wrong.
- Think through every step: Plan your actions carefully before executing them.
Have a plan of what you’re going to do if things go wrong
Think about every single step before actually doing it
I obviously don’t want to discourage anyone from building batteries. It’s a fantastic hobby and I personally enjoy it greatly (it’s the reason that Muller Energy exists in the first place) and know many of you do too. But I obviously don’t want to see anyone get hurt, so please stay safe.
Why Consider Pre-Built Batteries?
If you want to minimise the risk even further, you can obviously just buy a battery that has been built for you, given that it contains a BMS (battery management system), if you were to accidentally short out the terminals on one of those, you’d just get a nice spark, but the BMS would then very quickly disconnect the discharge and the flow of current would come to a halt virtually instantaneously, without creating a safety risk.
If you would like to hear other people’s tips on staying safe while building batteries, please feel free to join our Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/australianlithiumbatteries
Consider purchasing a pre-built battery with a Battery Management System (BMS).
- A BMS disconnects the discharge almost instantly in the event of a short circuit.
- At most, you’d see a spark, but the current flow would stop immediately, ensuring no significant safety risks.
Build Your Batteries Safely with Muller Energy
At Muller Energy, we’re here to support you with safe, high-quality battery cells, accessories, and expert advice for your DIY projects. If you want to minimize risks or explore pre-built battery options with advanced BMS technology, we’ve got you covered.
Visit us at 38/3 Cal Cl, Somersby NSW 2250, Australia, or call us at +61 493 274 334 to discuss your needs. For unbeatable deals, don’t miss our Outdoor Adventure Sale
