eBike Battery Fires, Myth or True? 7 TIPS to avoid e Bike Battery Fires. e-Bike Battery Fires r BAD!

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

How do you protect yourself and your home from eBike Battery fires?

[@seancoyote]

I keep it out of the rain, When I charge, I set a timer and unplug it from the battery and the charger from the plug when done. I think I will use a timer shut off like you suggested.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@seancoyote Yup, rain would be a good thing to keep your eBike Battery and charger away from. Sounds like you are doing your charging safely. How long does it usually take for your batteries to charge?

[@seancoyote]

@@GreyBeardEBiking depends, about an hour per 20 percent.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@seancoyote That sounds like about the average time. Using this rule of thumb, you can easily set your shut off timer to get a full charge and be safe at the same time. Thanks.

[@n6six_videos]

Well done Battery fires in e-bikes can occur due to various reasons, but some of the most common causes include: 1. Overcharging: Overcharging the battery can lead to thermal runaway, causing the battery to overheat and potentially catch fire. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding charging time and avoid leaving the battery connected to the charger for extended periods. 2. Physical Damage: Accidental impacts or dropping the battery can damage its structure and internal components, which may result in short circuits and an increased risk of fire. Handle the battery with care and avoid exposing it to unnecessary physical stress. 3. Poor Quality Batteries: Low-quality or counterfeit batteries may have manufacturing defects or lack proper safety measures, making them more prone to fires. Always purchase e-bikes and batteries from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality and adhere to safety standards. To minimize the occurrence of battery fires and ensure safety while using an e-bike, it is advisable to follow these best practices: 1. Use the Manufacturer's Recommended Charger: Always use the charger provided by the e-bike manufacturer. Using incompatible chargers can lead to overcharging or incorrect voltage, increasing the risk of fire. 2. Charge in a Well-Ventilated Area: When charging your e-bike, ensure that the charging area is well-ventilated. This helps dissipate heat and reduce the chances of overheating. 3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: High temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions within the battery, leading to thermal runaway. Avoid exposing the battery to excessive heat or cold, and store it in a cool, dry place when not in use. 4. Regularly Inspect the Battery: Check the battery for any signs of physical damage, such as dents, bulges, or exposed wires. If you notice any abnormalities, cease using the battery immediately and contact the manufacturer for guidance. 5. Follow the Manufacturer's Guidelines: Read the e-bike's user manual thoroughly and follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding battery usage, maintenance, and storage. Adhering to these guidelines reduces the risk of battery fires. Remember, safety should always be the top priority when using e-bikes. By implementing these best practices, you can minimize the risk of battery fires and enjoy a safer riding experience.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

You are so right, and I echo all of your sentiments. I hope and wish the un-informed so call eBike alarmists get educated with regard to the true nature of eBikes and their power sources. Even if some of these sensationalized eBike fire stores employed a little common sense, some of the panic these stories cause could be reduced. Tanks for the comments, stay safe out there my friend.

[@myronl505]

Great video for people who are getting their first e-bike. This commentary is very balanced and beneficial. Keep up the good work.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the great comment. Do you follow these safety tips, and do you have a few other suggestions?

[@myronl505]

@GreyBeardEBiking I just got my ebike last week, I love it. There are no suggestions at this time, but I'll follow your safety tips. I subscribed to your channel. Have a good day.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@myronl505 Thanks for subscribing. I think you will find these safety tips to be very easy for to follow. Thanks again.

[@jakereal3604]

Thanks for the tips on preventing Ebike battery fires. You confirmed my suspicions as to WHY fires happen in the first place. Often I think its because people get "smart" and think "Well if my 48 volt 2 amp charger charges my dead battery in 7 hours if I get a 4 amp 48 Volt charger I can recharge in in 1/2 the amount of time, 3.5 hours. I really believe many people out there do this and or use incorrect chargers with a higher voltage and or amp rating then they bikes battery was designed for, I have two ebikes and I customized one of them and it has its original down tube removable battery, a 20 AH Rake battery, and I have an extra down tube battery same type as original but different company that If i go on very long rides I keep in my rack bag. This gives me a total of 46 AH of power! Anyway even though the two stock batteries look the same and are same specs I only recharge each with the charger it came with. BOTH chargers are 48V 2 AMP but I still feel more comfortable not mixing chargers. The 20AH battery is completely different charge port so I can only use the charger it came with. My 2nd Ebike is the Aniioki AQ 177 Pro max and that has a 60 AH battery so no need for extra battery power as it can easily go 100-120 miles on battery only and at speeds of 25-28 MPH Thanks again for the tips

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

WOW! Thanks for the great comments and info. Yes, I agree with you 100%. Use the batteries and charges as they were designed to be used. Your battery set up sounds like it gives you super range. What type of terrain do you ride and how long are your average rides?

[@jakereal3604]

Thanks! I live in Far Rockaway Queens NY and i ride often on the boardwalk which is about 1.5 miles from my house. From there I head west. To Riis Park beach which is on the other end of the Pennisula over the Marine Park bridge into Brooklyn. Then west on the belt parkway green trail and back. This is a peaceful ride and I avoid most car traffic with exception of riding through bell harbor. This is my common go to ride but I have gone to Long Island and Jones beach and back (52 miles), I rode to Manhattan 5-6 times this summer. And other fun rides. Most of the terrain is fairly flat, steepest I’d say is going over the bridges between both batteries I have 33 AH of power so basically I made my entry level bike into a long range bike. I will go Min of 65 miles and I’ve gotten as much as 80+ miles between both battery’s on one charge. I typically ride at least 26-30 miles every time I take the bike out. I also have the Aniioki AQ 177 pro Max and that had 60 AH of battery!!! Yes Sixty!!!! That bikes gone 115+ miles on one charge and that was with me going 24-28 mph 95% of those miles little if any pedaling !!

[@seanmichael7714]

Great job on your videos. Respect on getting good safety advice out there. Important stuff. Just started my e-bike journey and I can't say enough about how much fun I'm having!😎👍

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the great comments and I'm glad to hear you are having a great time riding your eBike. Where and what type of riding do you do.

[@seanmichael7714]

Hey yeah thanks for asking! 😀I'm basically Southeast Washington State all flat with just a tiny bit of hills it's nice. Today what would have been a 2-hour + trip One Way on foot only took me 23 minutes. Really happy about that. the bike is more than adequate I could even use a little bit more power in time so we'll see but no complaints with the 3.0 step through man the thing is nice. The extra low impact exercise is really appreciated as well. And I like that I can potentially step up my exercise efforts once I begin getting even more used to it. Done about five rides and man have they been fun! My only tiny complaint is that the motor would slow me down a little on pedal assist once I stopped pedaling I would have preferred to keep my coasting speed but it really wasn't too bad. Thanks a lot happy holidays and best wishes!😀👍

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@seanmichael7714 Thanks for getting back to me. I just moved to North Idaho, and we have flat areas and some steep climbs. Great to have an eBike on that last hill climb to home. Stay warm out there this winter.

[@jakereal3604]

All types from trails to Far Rock queens to Manhattan and back From far rock to Gilgo Beach. I go all over. Lol

[@CMG78]

Stumbled across this video Best thing i can recommend is buy your bike at a Shop and ask to see the battery outside of the bike before you buy. Recently I bought a Cheep ebike at a local bike shop (Retrospec KOA Rev+) and was shocked to find when i looked at the battery was not only manufactured using LG cells but also was also assembled by the same compony that uses the rack mount UPS devices we use at work. and was UL and CE but the charge control system complied to ISO 13849

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the great comment. Sounds like you got lucky with a less expensive eBike. With proper care, sounds like these batteries will last a long time.

[@jakereal3604]

When you say SHOCKED I assume you mean "pleasantly surprised" to find what you mentioned as thats all a good thing! My first ebike bout May 2021 was an Ecotric fat 26" tire 36 V 500 W bike and I love it . Its very solid it has now over 2000 miles and its performed flawlessly and I only got one flat tire and this is all here in NYC!!!! It was only $850 on a black friday sale and its UL listed as well!

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@jakereal3604 Thanks for the comment. Yes, "pleasantly surprised" was a better term. Sound like you go a great deal on your eBike and a bonus, it's UL listed. From what I understand, all new eBikes sold in NY are required to have a UL listing. That's great to hear. Hopefully that rule will go nationwide. Are you a city rider or mixed use?

[@rotoconversions2400]

Question,if my ebike stored normaly in my basement at 60 degrees,and i take outside to ride in temperature say 80 degrees . Should I wait 15 minutes for the battery to reach the outside temperature before usage?

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the great question. There isn't really an issue with using your battery from warm to a little warmer. The real issues are the performance in extreme temperatures. Just be aware that your battery efficiency is lower in cold weather and hot weather. I tend to not use my batteries in super-hot weather for extended periods of time ... 105 degrees (f). Now when you finish a ride, it's best to let your battery "settle or rest" for 30 minutes to an hour before charging. What part of the world do you ride in?

[@rotoconversions2400]

​@@GreyBeardEBikingPA

[@berrymucuckiner4890]

I charge me e-bike battery in a bathtub filled with water This way, I don’t worry about fires 🔥

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

😎

[@w-peter]

Tipp Nr. 8: Do not charge the battery immediately after use. Give it about 30 minutes to cool down before charging it. The same applies after loading. Especially if it has been charged with a quick charger, it will already be warm and you should not put any strain on it immediately.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the comment. Yup, it's best and safest to let your eBike battery "settle" for a short time before charging after use. I really don't like "quick chargers". I think they are hard on the battery and not as safe as a slow charge.

[@goingoutotheparty1]

I always wire in an appropriate marine type blade fuse in the battery holder and a lower rated one before controller e.g. a 60 and a 50A

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Sounds like a very good system. Do you also use a timer to shut off the electrical power to the charger?

[@goingoutotheparty1]

@@GreyBeardEBiking no they are under supervision during charge

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@goingoutotheparty1 That's the best way to charge your eBike batteries. Unfortunately, I sometimes forget that the batteries are charging so I use the timers to cover my forgetfulness. 😎

[@timtrottproductions]

The ONLY fire extinguisher rated for e-batteries is a Class D charger (Yellow marking). ABC extinguishers and water are next to useless on e-battery fires. It can take a LOT of water and several ABC extinguishers.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the comment. I have found the ABC extinguishers to be mildly efficient on eBike battery fires which is why I recommend a large size fire extinguisher. And as you pointed out, it's really difficult to extinguish an eBike battery fire but having the large size ABC fire extinguisher on hand helps to control the fire from igniting the surrounding material or area. Thanks again.

[@skeller61]

Thanks for your common sense tips. Just like the defensive driving skills to keep from getting into an accident, along with wearing appropriate safety gear, maintaining your battery’s health will pay dividends. I look forward to many happy trails with my new e-bike, and will take your tips o heart.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for your comment. Yup, you are correct, proper maintenance of your batteries will lead to many added hours of accident free and long use from your batteries.

[@Richard-by6br]

For the huge majority of people making your own battery is not a safe option, but those with electrical education I have no problem. For me it's UL standards and charger, with my own solar station. Here in Arizona people can save a huge amount of money using solar.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for your comment. In my opinion, I still with quality manufacture materials, parts and equipment. Even if I have the knowledge and expertise, I still prefer to use the recommended items from the manufacture because the parts have been tested together. Plus, I totally agree with you with regard to the UL listing and standards.

[@dondonner1095]

exactly

[@MHH3180]

Pls, someone show me a poorly constructed cell. There's no money in an assembly line making poor quality. None are hand made. The few extremely low cost batteries I have disassembled for repair (will no longer do so) ALL had major name brand cells. Not once in hundreds of batteries have I ever come across a bad cell unless it was physically damaged (that's scary)... Not once, ever! We have a FAR greater problem with junk BMS chips on all batteries, regardless of brand or price. Bosch won't admit their hassles, Yamaha offers really affordable replacements, UPP expects you to swap boards and the really cheap folks just send you replacements.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

I think the bigger issue, as you alluded to, is the user more than the battery and chargers themselves. Even with a bad BMS system, if the user uses even a small amount of common-sense safety, most of these "eBike Battery Fires" could be eliminated. Probably like you, I've seen people trying to charge with cracked or deformed batteries, mis-matched charges, and a bunch of other safety hazards when charging their batteries. Lack of common sense is the biggest issue that I see.

[@dondonner1095]

Exactly

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Yup! Use common sense and good and reliable equipment and you'll be much better off. Thanks for the comment.

[@sergioquinonez5475]

By starting out with UL Certification (UL 2849) as THE standard for purchas I feel I have a better , safer start ☆☆No UL UL2849 Certification = No Sale , Ne Eceptions☆☆

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the comment. It's pretty much coming down to that now. Many states have adopted laws that require a UL listing on eBkie batteries to be sold in their states. And won't be long until all the states have adopted these laws. Thanks again and keep riding safely my friend.

[@sergioquinonez5475]

I still don't understand how it's not already a set in stone kind of standard (???) UL does not follow standards , they set them for others to follow for over 100 years

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@sergioquinonez5475 Yes, I agree with you. However, as with most new things, innovation and safety take time to incorporate into the general plan. I'm confident it won't be long until all the states adopt the UL Listing as a requirement for the sale of eBike batteries and eBikes in each state. Especially if the e-fires are in the news. I'm also looking forward to some other standardization of other eBike rules and regulations.

[@MikeBrown-dk7or]

Best idea. Don't buy a cheap Chinese e bike. Spend the extra to get a high quality US or European made bike.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Yup, I agree with 100%. You get what to pay for. Thanks for the comment.

[@BillBourne-pi7ku]

Almost 100% of bike batteries are made in China

[@MHH3180]

UL is not the best certification in The U.S. They are not gov't regulated and are a for profit division of a non-profit corporation, with a very, very high paid board of folks from industries they theoretically regulate. Also, they do not rate the safety of the battery. They rate the safety of The assembly and not even of the cells or subcontractors. So, companies like Bosch can continue to use wiring to their BMS designed for half the amperage The BMS allows. Not a safety issue, but cause of more problematic BMS failures. Otherwise, we could not agree more, especially about using a charging timer.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

Thanks for the comments. However, I think we may disagree on the UL certification. A big part of the safety testing is the construction and the parts of the batteries which in turn helps a great deal with the overall safety. And in the US, the UL certification is known as the "Gold Standard" for safety. In addition, in the US the states are starting to require a UL listing for the sale of any eBike batteries sold in their respective states. And soon, I think this will be a standard requirement through-out the US. Are there safer testing standards? of course there, as with anything there is always something better. However, the UL standards are very good and universally accepted across the US and in many places abroad. Also, in my opinion, most of the issues regarding battery fires does actually involve the construction of the battery, not so much as the materials. Although that is also a problem. An even bigger issue is how the batteries are maintained and treated and charged. Thanks again for your comments.

[@MHH3180]

@@GreyBeardEBiking my point being that this unregulated, private, for profit division, of a non-profit will not make any difference whatsoever except raise our prices. Their highly paid board members are from the industries they are supposed to regulate. FAR better would be to fund our CPSC the way we did through The 80's. UL only inspects processes, not materials and once approved it is years til you need to recertify. The suitability for specific applications is not part of U.L. certification.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@MHH3180 My point is, with regard to current certifications, in my opinion, the UL listing is the best National certification system in place right now. And to my knowledge there is no other safety certification making the effort to become the national safety standard. As for cost, any mandatory safety certification regulations put into place, whether it be for a specific product or for a general group of products, will undoubtable raise the cost of the items being tested, whether it be UL or any other certification. And any other safety organization isn't going to offer their safety blessing for free, which will raise the cost of the items. In my opinion, the UL listing is the best nationally recognized standard we have right now, so my preference is to keep recognizing it as such, until there is another approved nationally recognized safety certification process available. Especially since the UL listing is going to be the rule as it has become in many states already. As far as the manufacturing process, that's why I highly recommend an established quality manufacturer and/or dealer. These manufacturers and dealers have a pretty good quality control process in place. Of course, as I stated in the video, you can have all the manufacturer and dealer quality control you need, but if the user is careless and doesn't employ a bit of common sense, then all bets are off and they will probably end up causing damage or harm to someone of something. Thanks. Stay safe out there my friend.

[@MHH3180]

@@GreyBeardEBiking CE, for The EU is superior. CS (Canadian) IS UL, but with gov't oversight. Think of how many batteries you have already seen with these ratings (100% of mine). No difference. We need The CPSC to get involved and to receive the funding necessary to make it happen. UL is purely a political move. Address basically a non-issue and make a 'Merican solution. Why does our country have a bigger problem with this and why is our solution the only one outside a gov't agency? I'll add, why are we addressing this problem before addressing ICE engine fires that, per capita, are more common according to The NTSB? It is like the drunk boating piece I just saw. A very real problem, but nothing compared to 35,000 automotive deaths per year that we continue to ignore. Let's regulate where it makes a difference. Actual E-bikes aren't a significant part of this problem. Promoting it drives the false narrative that our bikes aren't safe.

[@GreyBeardEBiking]

@@MHH3180 All valid concerns however this video is addressing what we have now and can employ now. As you mentioned there are all kinds of big issues, (non-eBike related), that need to be addressed but politically are not moving. This video simply addresses what the general eBike rider can do to make their eBike charging safer and more reliable. Mostly common-sense issues that no safety organization can regulate. This video is not talking about all the other issues of other industries. In addition, this video tries to point out how the "eBike Battery Fires" are being sensationalized and not being reported accurately. At this time, the UL listings are the best safety regulations that are accepted and on-line that can be put into play quickly and uniformly across the nation. Until the other safety organizations are able to "quickly and uniformly" be brought on-line, I'll go with the UL Listing. Are there better safety organizations for the eBike battery and eBiking industry, as you mentioned, absolutely. However, until such time I'll go with the UL listings as a "starting point for some safety uniformity" and building on that instead, of having no safety regulations at all.

[@harrison00xXx]

1) UL certification is a ripoff, just super expensive to get and its still far from sure if they are safe (only 20 cells are tested if they blow up/gas out/overheat). Most of their testing methods are bad if you have looked into those already. 2) Might be different with e-bikes, but most e-scooters have a simple, "dumb" constant current charger. All those manufacturers crying "buy our charger", "only the original is the best suited and allowed one" bla bla is nonsense. Its about YOUR MONEY, and if they can sell you a rebranded, garbage chinese 4A charger for 100$ with a simple lie you all accepted as "fact", i cant help you either anymore. For 50$ you get a variable 0-60V 0-20A power supply, where you can literally choose how full you want to charge and how fast. I personally combined a 24V 600W power supply with a DC DC converter which also acts as charger/range extender used with externally mounted tool batteries or the possibility to charge via the cars 12V DC. I can basically charge my scooter with any DC voltage source from 10-60V. from 10-14V im slightly limited in charging power, 15-16V gets useable in charging speed and anything above 18V input voltage allows for easily 300W+ charging power, only limited due to the battery to reduce wear on the precious, expensive battery.