Also, LFP batteries do not like to be stored for long periods in a fully charged state.
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.
Over night or for a few weeks, not really an issue. Put it away for the winter fully charged and it will lose capacity. That's why LFP batteries are always shipped from the factory at a 30-50% SOC.
Sorry, its all BS (the extinguisher and the bag). The extinguishing agents on the market for lithium fires have shown no additional advantaged over using water. This means it does little to nothing with a larger battery pack run away. Current primary tactics for these incidents is separation and letting it burn. If the pack gets to a run away condition there is little to no way you will be getting anywhere near close enough to pick it up, place it in a bag and throw it overboard. This is due to heat and, way more of a issue, the gases and vapors being produced. Battery bags are also BS unless they are the ones used and approved by the NTSB and those ones are large but made for very small batteries. Its all about the bags ability to contain the hazards. They have to be a lot larger than the actual battery to do this. Most (read this as almost all) devices you see advertised for lithium technology (both ion and iron) are money grabs. A exception is containment products using Cell Block. Its kind of like a oil absorbent for lithium battery gasses/vapors. You should see what the BS manufactures are pushing in the fire service. Its laughable. The good thing is the technology you are using is not ion, its iron. A lot more stable but they are way more reactive with water, especially salt water.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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Frankly, I had my doubts about that part as well. But this is a “small” battery; 8 1/2 x 6 x 1 1/2 in. Yet, if it caught fire on the boat below decks, it would pose a BIG PROBLEM. Especially if we had to run away to avoid caustic air and could not approach it. I take from your comments that those Kidde ABC extinguishers from WM might not prove effective on most fires if they got going. I’m willing to put an actual (real life) bonafide extinguisher on the boat and see to its periodic servicing, etc. Are there decent brands or general types out there to select from?
BC extinguishers are perfectly fine for most needs on boats if you are able to get them under control during their incipient phase. Once things get going they can be impactful but the environment tends to dictate you leave and they become less impactful. Offensive actions during the intitial phase of the fire (building) and defensive actions to get you out with little intent to put it out. The larger the better and tactically placed is my recommendation. Don't place them next to the stove or engine. Place them at exit points and in sleeping areas to fight your way out. Putting them next to the place most possible to catch on fire does nothing when you can't get to them. A access port to the engine compartment is very tactical allowing the discharge of extinguisher without exposing you to the BTUs and toxic gases. Lithium Ion batteries pump out a ton of heavy metals and concern able levels of hydrogen cyanide.
Its my understanding that lithium iron chemistry is more stable and less susceptible to heating and failing during charging. Once they get going, the same challenges apply.
Well, I did the cruise to Santa Cruz Island and we used the LiFePO4 battery to run our device; yes, a CPAP. Altogether, 17 nights on the boat: 7 in harbor; 9 on the hook, and one on a mooring can. Recharged battery daily using a 100-watt solar charger or shore power.. The battery is charged inside the 2000-deg tolerant bag. The bag contains the fire, if it occurs, long enough to pitch the whole set overboard. I think there were gloves to use as well. Interesting system. The solar panels can charge from 40% to 100% in less than 2 hr in good sunlight. So, it’s a relatively brief time to remain watchful.
