How to save 5.75 pounds off your bike in 5 minutes

[Motogiro]

When I went for Hazardous/Dangerous Goods training for shipping by air, next to radioactive material, lithium batteries were considered the next dangerous thing. The IATA (International Air Transport Association) manual has practically been rewritten because of these batteries. Crossing terminals, or any storage of batteries outside their intended electronic devices is considered very dangerous. You just can't store your spare camera, computer, etc, batteries anwhere, they must be kept in it's original packaging or an approved container.

The frightening thing is, the average person who happens to carry these spare batteries onto the plane have no idea that they can litterally cause a mid air disaster. Once they are on fire, good luck putting it out, practically impossible. Kind of like a tire catching on fire.

But they are great long lasting batteries.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. 99% of lithium batteries come with short circuit protection. If it detects a short, it simply closes the hot terminal. The biggest worry about plugging things in backwards is damage to the device. You could damage it and cause a short, but...

Lithium batteries do burn in a class "D" type fire. Meaning that as it burns it makes it's own oxygen. And then 90% of normal fire fighting methods won't work. There are chemical extingushers that will put out a "D" fire for a short time, giving you a window to cool the object or eject it safely.

However, the ignition point is near the 1000*F point so the chances of the battery heating to ignition point without someone noticing, or other things catching on fire first, are kind of slim.

If you're truly worried... Don't keep anything flammable within 10 feet or so if its storage point. And don't overcharge it. In fact, since it's lithium and it'll put out the same number of amps until right before it dies and it won't lose charge unless something is draining it while it's off, you shouldn't ever need to charge it. If you're not riding it for a few months, then unplug the battery. It'll crank right up come spring.

Just realize that it can catch on fire, and respect it. But lead acid batteries can explode, and do so quite quickly. Although modern batteries with vents aren't as prone to. Either one catching on fire in your garage would be devistating. You'd probably lose the house with all your accelerants in the garage. Paint, cleaners, gasoline, etc.

A lot of the information we make reference to are to consumer electronic targeted lithium ion batteries. The Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries used on the bikes are different in terms of thermal over run and are much more chemically stable in terms of thermal run-away.

If you want an education on what happens with the commonly used lead acid batteries we use, Google will provide lots of info.

:Flash::Flash:Our common lead acid batteries can produce oxygen and hydrogen at the same time when they are charged making them extremely dangerous. This is one of the reasons it is imperative we wear safety goggles we dealing with batteries. A leaky or venting battery and a spark is all you need. Beside projectiles when it explodes you are dealing with the electrolyte of sulfuric acid. Make sure you wear protective eye-ware and have a plan for flushing your self with lots of water in the event of a mishap.
Love,
Dad...