this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2023
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Home Improvement

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In the last couple of years, I replaced all my lawn care equipment with battery powered and it has worked fantastically. I’m sure there will soon be other large batteries that need to be charged.

However I also note headlines about fires from cheap or damaged batteries. I don’t buy cheap and I do take care of my stuff so I’m not too worried but wonder if it would be worth building some sort of battery charging enclosure. Does anyone have any links, ideas or references?

My first thought is I have an unfinished basement with concrete walls and floor so that should be fire resistant: could it be as simple as stacking cinder blocks or pavers? My second thought is that would make a great oven, so no. So is there something I can do for my chargers to protect my house from any chance of fire?

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[–] RaoulDook 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

A small spot on the concrete floor with cinderblocks to make a table / shelf for the chargers and batteries should be fine, just as long as nothing flammable is within a distance that flames could reach it if the batteries caught fire in there (not by the wall or under something). I just keep mine on a shelf in the garage during the cooler months, but I bring them inside when it's hot.

But batteries stored directly on the floor is also bad, so you'd want something to set them on. Somehow batteries can discharge into the ground if left on a concrete floor. An old metal ammo can on a cinderblock would be good enough IMO.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But batteries stored directly on the floor is also bad

Not actually true

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/battery-park/

[–] RaoulDook 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well I've seen it happen myself, and I was learnt of it by an old-ass electronics engineer who did calculus equations on graph paper all day to solve microwave transmitter issues, and he was more knowledgeable about electronics than any other human being I've ever met so I'm going to continue NOT storing batteries on the concrete floor.

You can store your batteries on the floor if you want to of course, but you've been warned.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago