Need concern over Iithium battery charging of device batteries?

[Kings Gambit]

I'll be charging a Li power pack to service a portable on-board device using a 100 watt solar panel every couple of days for two weeks. I'll have a special encapsulating Li battery fire extinguisher aboard as well. Need I think harder about this or not to worry?

 

[dlochner]

There are some ifs here.

Are the batteries LiFePO4 batteries or some other chemistry?
Is there a controller for solar panel so the battery is charged correctly?
Are the devices from well known and respected brands?

Overcharging or charging at too high a voltage can cause the battery to go into thermal runaway, that is different from the usual fires we see that are oxidizing. Improper charging, poor design and construction, and limited or no ability to dissipate heat contribute to the problem. Some chemistries are more prone than others.

 

[Kings Gambit]

The battery and solar charger are sold as a compatible set, where that compatibility includes the separate device to be charged. So, for the moment, I'm assuming that the charging is regulated. Of course, I'll confirm that before shoving off. It is LiFePO4.

 

[dlochner]

The battery and solar charger are sold as a compatible set, where that compatibility includes the separate device to be charged. So, for the moment, I'm assuming that the charging is regulated. Of course, I'll confirm that before shoving off. It is LiFePO4.

Those are good signs.

 

[dLj]

I'd say you are safe. The only thing I'd caution you on, be sure to not deplete the batteries below whatever that systems states. I did that with a different but similar system and then the thing would never recharge...

dj

 

[dlochner]

I'd say you are safe. The only thing I'd caution you on, be sure to not deplete the batteries below whatever that systems states. I did that with a different but similar system and then the thing would never recharge...

dj

Also, LFP batteries do not like to be stored for long periods in a fully charged state.

 

[Richard19068]

I probably wouldn't leave it charging when I was away from the boat.

You of course don't have to answer this but is the portable device a CPAP machine?

 

[MikeHoncho]

I'll be charging a Li power pack to service a portable on-board device using a 100 watt solar panel every couple of days for two weeks. I'll have a special encapsulating Li battery fire extinguisher aboard as well. Need I think harder about this or not to worry?

the extinguisher (I'm going to assume it is F500) is as effective as a BC extinguisher.......worthless. If they were, every fire department capable of proving the technology would have one on every unit. There are a lot of snake oil products out there due to new technologies. We see them routinely in the fire service. Your best tactic is to throw it overboard if you can safely do so.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Also, LFP batteries do not like to be stored for long periods in a fully charged state.

I did not know that. The device will be run everyday for several hrs.

 

[Kings Gambit]

the extinguisher (I'm going to assume it is F500) is as effective as a BC extinguisher.......worthless. If they were, every fire department capable of proving the technology would have one on every unit. There are a lot of snake oil products out there due to new technologies. We see them routinely in the fire service. Your best tactic is to throw it overboard if you can safely do so.

It’s an E-FireX (1 liter) extinguisher. Kind of a new technology it is advertized (efirex.com). We’ll also have a small, high-temp suppressor bag with 2000 deg. F- resistant gloves. Put the thing in the bag and throw it overboard, if it comes to that.
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