Re: LIon batteries (was Re: ACRX goes down to 27 Optimas)

[Mike Thompson <mikt@pair.com>]

A _FEW_ had problems with overheating. I don't how many or if any actually
caught fire.

I dare say, more gasoline tanks caught on fire or at least caused much
more damage. Let's keep this in perspective.

Like the gasoline tanker truck that caught fire which some of us saw on
the way to the CARB hearings. Pretty ironic!

Let's not forget that an improperly handled lead acid can explode. Though
this happens very rarely.

I think exploding gasoline tanks are much more common.

When you store a sizeable quantity of energy, you need to take
precautions. Even a no hazard battery can cause a fire if you decide to
short with a wire that gets hot enough to start a fire.

Sometimes the gas in your carbruetor can catch on fire. Or a fuel leak to
the engine block.

You don't smoke while re-fueling gasoline.
You ventilate while recharging flooded lead acid batteries.
You don't overcharge sealed lead acid batteries.
By the same token, don't overcharge lithiums.

The safety of Lithium technology has been significantly improved. At it's
worst I'm sure it was far safer than a gasoline tank. Just driving home
from work is a greater risk than your gas tank exploding.

Let's keep this in perspective. Batteries are extremely safe compared to
the other risks we take for granted on a daily basis. They are extremely
safe compared to battery alternatives - gasoline, etc.

On Tue, 30 Apr 2002, VanDerWal, Peter MSgt wrote:

> >I love my cell phone performance using Li batts but my guy at Radio
> >Shack says that little battery could take out the whole cab of my truck if
> >impropperly charged!
>
> Well...if it exploded it 'might' take out the cell phone.  However if it
> caught fire, and you weren't around to put it out, it could very easily burn
> out the cab of your truck.
>
> As I understand it a lot of the early NiMH and LIon batteries had problems
> with bursting into flame.
>
>

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