Another Ebike conversion kit death

[soundwave]

iMAX B6 Mini Charger - SkyRC

www.skyrc.com

IMAX B6 AC-DC Charger 5A 50W With US Plug (Copy)

IMAX B6 AC-DC Charger 5A 50W With US Plug (Copy)

hobbyking.com

will i leave that batt on charge over night no chance trust nothing esp the older it gets and why i retired my original 400w batt to science/hacking

 

[portals]

Cops don't care about delivery ebikes in any shape of form unless you REALLY **** them off and draw attention to yourself. If they started pulling them over then they would be making a rod for their own back given most cops are stupid lazy b@stards they just don't want the hassle....straight from horses mouth, a cop I used to regularly play cards with (one of the 1% that isn't an @reshole), though I do believe they are all 100% corrupt...

How often do we hear of hubs catching fire or controllers or displays? We don't so it's unfair to dismiss cheap matched Chinese ebike kits, none of them even come with batteries, it's always a separate purchase.

If ppl buy cheapo high powered battery packs/use mismatched chargers how is it different from buying a knock-off phone charger or laptop charger from ebay that is potentially more likely to cause a fire?

Case in point in posh hotel in Sorrento maybe 15yrs ago, my Nokia charger was dodgy so I bought cheapo replacement from street/beach vendor. Back in room plugged it in and by time came out shower it was smoking heavily and singed all around the wall socket...

If you try to do stuff on the cheap with electricity it's always eventually gonna end in tears...

Store the battery in a metal box with a smoke a heat / detector on top and store it near to a window or an alternative property EXIT door (not the main one). Keep thick gardening gloves beside box, any issues you can launch it.

How many ppl in UK die of fires started by the smoking cigarettes? Yet we don't police them...

Point being as in most things in life some common sense needs to be applied to ensure your gene pool continues.

 

[soundwave]

we have had ppl post on this forum with batts that has been in a canal then wonder why when charging it smoke is coming out.

then they throw it in the bin and this happens.

Over 700 fires in bin lorries and recycling centres are caused by batteries

Research conducted amongst UK local authorities has identified that over 700 fires in waste trucks and sites are caused by batteries.

www.circularonline.co.uk

 

[AndyBike]

I meant something like that:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youshiko-YC4000-Intelligent-Professional-Standard/dp/B00N7GHUH0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=30EC6IN9FHQBK&keywords=Smart+charger+aa&qid=1680126578&sprefix=smart+charger+aa%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-6

Highly recommended for AA and AAA.

I guess chargers like that would be very inconvenient for some sellers as they can determine real capacity of battery.

"Professional Standard" - £26.59 and out of Amazon too.

 

[soundwave]

the vet is a better option atm

My nightmare 30-hour wait in A&E

“There were dozens of people waiting for far longer than they should have, some with life-threatening conditions”

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk

'Fake' shops at centre of major drugs raid closed

Amongst the thousands of pounds worth of Class A and Class B drugs, officers reported finding a bag of cannabis amongst a box of crisps

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk

 

[StuartsProjects]

I meant something like that:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youshiko-YC4000-Intelligent-Professional-Standard/dp/B00N7GHUH0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=30EC6IN9FHQBK&keywords=Smart+charger+aa&qid=1680126578&sprefix=smart+charger+aa%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-6

Chargers that do that functionality, capacity check, cycling etc, have been around for a long time. They typically only do one 'battery' at a time, but that can be up to 12 series Lithium Polymer, ION, LiFePO4 and well as strings of NiCd, NiMh and lead acid too.

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[StuartsProjects]

So it would appear to be the case that you are less likely to have problems develop, if you buy your Ebike or kit from a reputable source. And not pick it because its the cheapest you could find -- OR WERE DIRECTED TOWARDS.

Local UK supplier versus cheapo far East, clearly most would assume the risk would be less from a repuatable UK supplier.

The significant issue however, is there seems to be little to no regulations on construction and sale of eBike batteries. Given the potential harm that could occur if they are stored or charged in block of flats you do wonder why.

There are regulations for the construction for most electrical stuff you buy in shops, you need to be registered to work on your own gas, there are regulations for doing home electrics etc. Lots of regulations designed to reduce risk of accidents and fires.

But for eBike batteries, where there is a well known fire risk, few to zero regulations, DIY builds by novices are supported and encouraged on-line etc.

 

[guerney]

Hobbyists, manufacturers and sellers of cheap ebikes and conversion kits will be first against the wall if stringent regulations come into force; the majority of buyers will be priced out. Even this government recognises the need for cheap personal transportation, hence their insane and largely evaporated speculative plans to make those ridiculously dangerous ninja escooter pavement missiles legal.

 

[portals]

The significant issue however, is there seems to be little to no regulations on construction and sale of eBike batteries. Given the potential harm that could occur if they are stored or charged in block of flats you do wonder why.

What are the regulations for smoking in bed if you live in a block of flats?

Or you fall asleep with the oven on or candles lit?

Where do you draw the line?

 

[guerney]

Data reveals extent of electric vehicle fires around the UK

Unique data gained by CE Safety has revealed a dramatic increase in fires caused by electric vehicle batteries.

cesafety.co.uk

 

[StuartsProjects]

Where do you draw the line?

Would you have the regulations that relate to safety on most electircal appliances you buy abandoned and leave it to device manufacturers to decide ?

 

[portals]

Would you have the regulations that relate to safety on most electircal appliances you buy abandoned and leave it to device manufacturers to decide ?

They already do that based on markets?

 

[Woosh]

The solution is compulsory product liability insurance. If the seller does not have adequate insurance, its directors are made to be personally liable.
At present, only manufacturers are obliged to have product liability. If you buy directly from a website, how would you know if you are covered?

 

[Raboa]

Luton fire was caused by “home-made” e-bike conversion

A house fire in Luton is believed to have been caused by a “home-made” e-bike left on charge, investigators have said. Rescue pumps from White Watch Luton and Stopsley Community Fire Station were mobilised to the fire on March 22nd at approximately 22:30, where, on arrival, there was smoke...

ebiketips.road.cc

 

[Az.]

Aren't chargers supposed to switch to trickle charge after battery is full?
Manufacturer of a bike I bought demands battery is left on charge for 24h after it is full every few months if I remember manual well. If not then it would void the warranty. To be honest I have chickened out and didn't do it.

 

[flecc]

Aren't chargers supposed to switch to trickle charge after battery is full?
Manufacturer of a bike I bought demands battery is left on charge for 24h after it is full every few months if I remember manual well. If not then it would void the warranty. To be honest I have chickened out and didn't do it.

Not to trickle charge, the charge should terminate when the battery is full. However if left switched on it can restart as part of the cell balancing by the battery's own management system (BMS).

Hence that stricture to leave it on for a long time occasionally to get the longest life from it. So long as you are indoors and awake that's ok, it doesn't have to be 24 hours. 16 hours from rising to bedtime during a day that you will be indoors with it all the time will be sufficient. If it does start balancing during that time it will shut down when balancing is finished.
.

 

[Woosh]

The problem is batteries are at their most vulnerable state when 100% full. If your charger goes a little over the safe voltage, it can set the weakest cell block on fire. Cheap batteries are made with grade B or C cells. They are usually mixed together, their capacity can vary from one cell to the next and are usually relabeĺled. Basically, they buy grade B and C from the big producers and put their own brand on them.

 

[Az.]

There is definitely a market and need for trustworthy supplier of good batteries in UK. Perhaps Woosh would like to fill that gap? At this moment we rely on what Chinese say about insides of batteries and somehow I don't trust a word of what they say.
At this moment most of us just have black boxes with stickers "do not open" on them. Just like Pandora boxes.

Personally I will put two DIY projects on high priority list:

1 Outdoor charging station - should be an easy fix. Plastic box and electric cable should do the trick.

2 Outdoor storage will be a bigger challenge, but is doable as well.

Better to be safe than sorry I guess...

 

[Nealh]

Mostly it is irrelivent whether the bike in question is a diy build or oem bought bike, what is in question imv is the poor safety approach that some take when charging without any monitoring.

 

[portals]

Some good points being made!

Given how ubiquitous ebikes are today and given this trend will only continue to grow exponentially in the coming years what I would like to see is a Public Information campaign from the government around the safety of Li-Ion similar to the smoking/couch fire one we have had in UK for years.

TV, press and online advertising, short and sharp explaining the danger of knock-off batteries, poor quality imported batteries and how to charge properly (matched charger and attended), with some nice fires and horror stories to illustrate.

I'm sure some here will remember the 'the water was only 2 feet deep' Public Information adverts on the telly from the 70s, there were other ones too like 'Charlie Says' and the frisbee electrocution one.

I swore at a very young age (maybe 6), that I would NEVER jump in to water that I didn't know how deep it was or what was below the surface, served me well over the yrs.

A similar 'shock' add re Li-Ion would save lives....?

This advert scared the ABSOLUTE S H 1 T out of me as a kid...
(Watch out for the Saville bomb though clunk click every trip)