Lithium batteries on rear bumper

[EscapeVelocity]

ETI says they can’t install my Lithiums inside. Has anyone tried to move them inside post production? How complicated is that rewiring? Alternative would be to build some enclosure to secure them on the rear bumper. Your experience/ideas appreciated. TIA

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

ETI says they can’t install my Lithiums inside. Has anyone tried to move them inside post production? How complicated is that rewiring? Alternative would be to build some enclosure to secure them on the rear bumper. Your experience/ideas appreciated. TIA

The only experience I have is moving dual 6V lead acid batteries from the tongue to inside on a 19. Now I’m switching to lithium which as always in the back of my mind. Wiring shouldn’t be real difficult if the batteries stay close like under a rear seat. Lithium’s are much better off inside as you have climate control if needed and security. Also bear in mind that the 17 supposedly has the batteries on the bumper to decrease tongue weight. Trying to keep the relocated batteries as close to the rear as possible will reduce the effect from the change.

[MyronL]

I think putting lithium's on the back bumper makes them way accessible/easier to steal than if under cover in the front storage box or inside.

[Donna D.]

Yeah, I'd put them inside... at the rear and if needing some weight on the bumper... fill the battery boxes with concrete... or something.

[HABBERDABBER]

I'd be cautious, and put them outside.



If you fret over theft of them, get good insurance.



Lithium batteries remain a safety issue, all things considered. Negligible risk, but still there. Whatever chemistry, there's still Lithium there...a bright, shiny, malleable metal element, that can erupt in Hydrogen fueled flames (think Hindenburg) when exposed to air. I used to make lithium batteries, so I have some direct experience in the issue.


Negligible risk, as I said.



Lead Acid batteries are "Old World" tech, but they have worked well for some centuries. There are all manner of downsides to them, but they are relatively safer. I keep my lead acid batteries outside of my rig, but have also had them inside. They also produce H2 (think Hindenburg, again).


Best to keep them outside of living space, is one option, for venting purposes.


And here I preach, using all manner of lithium ion battery powered devices to send this post.


Mea culpa.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I'd be cautious, and put them outside.



If you fret over theft of them, get good insurance.



Lithium batteries remain a safety issue, all things considered. Negligible risk, but still there. Whatever chemistry, there's still Lithium there...a bright, shiny, malleable metal element, that can erupt in Hydrogen fueled flames (think Hindenburg) when exposed to air. I used to make lithium batteries, so I have some direct experience in the issue.


Negligible risk, as I said.



Lead Acid batteries are "Old World" tech, but they have worked well for some centuries. There are all manner of downsides to them, but they are relatively safer. I keep my lead acid batteries outside of my rig, but have also had them inside. They also produce H2 (think Hindenburg, again).


Best to keep them outside of living space, is one option, for venting purposes.


And here I preach, using all manner of lithium ion battery powered devices to send this post.


Mea culpa.

When talking about the risk, we should mention that the internal chemistry of a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is quite different from that 'bright shiny malleable metal element' that can erupt into flames when exposed to air.

Yes, there is still Lithium there, but the danger of explosion or flame has been nullified. At the molecular level, oxygen is bonded tightly to the Lithium molecule in a LifePO4 battery. There is therefore no danger of the battery erupting into flames like there is with Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries, because it doesn't react when exposed to air.

[HABBERDABBER]

Whenever any topic goes general, there are exceptions......and generalizations.

And so it goes. It's a big world out there, full of all manner of battery chemistries.

To each...their own.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

... talking about the risk, we should mention that the internal chemistry of a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is quite different from that 'bright shiny malleable metal element' that can erupt into flames when exposed to air.

Yes, there is still Lithium there, but the danger of explosion or flame has been nullified. At the molecular level, oxygen is bonded tightly to the Lithium molecule in a LifePO4 battery. There is therefore no danger of the battery erupting into flames like there is with Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries, because it doesn't react when exposed to air.

No lithium-ion cell uses pure lithium electrodes. LiFePO4 batteries are lithium-ion batteries - they're just one of several electrode chemistry alternatives. Lithium-polymer just means lithium-ion with a polymer electrolyte (and any electrode chemistry).

A more accurate statement would be that there is little danger with LiFePO4 batteries compared to other lithium-ion batteries.