Braille batteries

SSDiv6 · 06-06-2021, 11:00 PM

Not all Lithium batteries are built the same. They cannot be put in the same circuit with a lead acid battery, therefore, do not "jump" a Lithium battery with a lead acid battery because you will end damaging both batteries. It can also short a battery cell, causing a thermal runaway and cause a fire.

Having been involved in the investigation of the Boeing 787 Lithium battery fires, my biggest concerns have been the damage to the case of the Lithium battery in the event of a crash. After the 787 issue, a case and battery penetration test under UL 1642, UL 2054 and IEC 62133 was adopted for Lithium batteries.

The good news is that some of the companies that make Lithium batteries for racing have implemented these tests to improve the survivability of a Lithium battery during a crash or accident. There may be more companies that are compliant, but I know that Braille and Go Lithium have been tested and are compliant with the case penetration test.

If you ever have to deal with a Lithium battery fire, the best fire extinguishing agent is water. Just flood the fire with water. Carbonated drinks also work great in putting out a Lithium battery fire. Also, Lithium batteries do not like the cold weather and avoid charging it during cold weather. When installed, keep it as far away from heat and combustible materials and try to reduce any vibration by installing it on dampening material like foam.

For those that still use AGM batteries, I recommend LifeLine batteries. They are made by a company that supplies batteries for both commercial and military aircraft. Their race batteries are built to the same standards as their line of aircraft batteries.

Paul Merolla · 06-07-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

Not all Lithium batteries are built the same. They cannot be put in the same circuit with a lead acid battery, therefore, do not "jump" a Lithium battery with a lead acid battery because you will end damaging both batteries. It can also short a battery cell, causing a thermal runaway and cause a fire.

That's interesting and good info. Braille is an AGM, just for the record.
I have had similar experiences as these other guys...neglected them, killed them completely, and they always came back. No special charger, just a junky Schumacher.

SSDiv6 · 06-07-2021, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

That's interesting and good info. Braille is an AGM, just for the record.
I have had similar experiences as these other guys...neglected them, killed them completely, and they always came back. No special charger, just a junky Schumacher.

Paul,

The Braille GreenLite and Super16 racing batteries are Lithium.
The Boeing 787 battery fires were a big awakening to the Lithium battery industry. In the early days, Tesla also experienced some thermal runaway fires too. My concern is there are some people purchasing Chinese Lithium battery cells through Ebay and building their own to save money. The Lithium battery fires are very intense and hot and can spread very fast,

06-06-2021, 11:00 PM	#1
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,604 Times in 583 Posts	Re: Braille batteries Not all Lithium batteries are built the same. They cannot be put in the same circuit with a lead acid battery, therefore, do not "jump" a Lithium battery with a lead acid battery because you will end damaging both batteries. It can also short a battery cell, causing a thermal runaway and cause a fire. Having been involved in the investigation of the Boeing 787 Lithium battery fires, my biggest concerns have been the damage to the case of the Lithium battery in the event of a crash. After the 787 issue, a case and battery penetration test under UL 1642, UL 2054 and IEC 62133 was adopted for Lithium batteries. The good news is that some of the companies that make Lithium batteries for racing have implemented these tests to improve the survivability of a Lithium battery during a crash or accident. There may be more companies that are compliant, but I know that Braille and Go Lithium have been tested and are compliant with the case penetration test. If you ever have to deal with a Lithium battery fire, the best fire extinguishing agent is water. Just flood the fire with water. Carbonated drinks also work great in putting out a Lithium battery fire. Also, Lithium batteries do not like the cold weather and avoid charging it during cold weather. When installed, keep it as far away from heat and combustible materials and try to reduce any vibration by installing it on dampening material like foam. For those that still use AGM batteries, I recommend LifeLine batteries. They are made by a company that supplies batteries for both commercial and military aircraft. Their race batteries are built to the same standards as their line of aircraft batteries.