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Choosing an inferior lithium battery can be detrimental and unsafe

Michael Rogers.

The growth in demand for Lithium batteries has resulted in a proliferation of small battery manufacturers, many previously manufacturing nickel-based batteries, now producing lithium products.

Michael Rogers, MD of Uniross Batteries said it is not only the battery itself, but also the overall installation of the lithium battery that can pose a risk. South Africans looking to mitigate the impact of load shedding by installing a solar system for their home must do so through an accredited installer or electrician to avoid insurance claims being rejected.

According to King Price client experience partner, Wynand van Vuuren, the onus is on homeowners to ensure that their installation is 100% correct. “We have seen solar panels up in flames. We have seen lithium batteries up in flames, but also generators which were incorrectly installed,” he said during an interview with Cape Talk.

A certificate of compliance (CoC) is essential to ensure that building and household content is covered by insurance. Customers need to make sure that the electrician is accredited. Most insurance policies stipulate that they are not liable for defective workmanship if solar panels or batteries cause damage, said Rogers.

“Once a battery has been manufactured and the final label applied, there is no possible way of differentiating a good quality battery from a poor one. Yes, you can measure the open circuit voltage, you could even measure the voltage under load, or if you have the means, you could even test the capacity of the battery. But none of this will indicate whether the battery has been manufactured in accordance with internationally accepted practices and, more importantly, if it is going to be safe in your equipment after a few months of usage.”

“Battery manufacturing is a complex process, and now even more so than ever, given that most new battery powered devices are being designed with rechargeable lithium-based batteries. In the past, the old nickel-based batteries (Ni-Cd and NiMh) were relatively easy and safe to manufacture. Lithium-based batteries are far more complex with a far smaller margin for error in the manufacturing process,” Rogers noted.

“Ordinarily, this would not be a bad situation,” he said, however the vast majority of these small manufacturers do not have the facilities, equipment or the technical know-how to safely and consistently produce these lithium batteries. Yet, despite this, they continue to do so regardless of the consequences.”

“As a result, we are beginning to see an influx of cheap and potentially dangerous lithium batteries finding their way into our devices, with potentially disastrous consequences. Uniross makes use of one of the safest lithium chemistries on the market today, Lithium Iron Phosphate (Li-FePO4). It can withstand abuse like no other battery chemistry. Even subjecting a Uniross lithium battery to extreme temperatures, short circuits and even crushing the battery, will not cause it to catch fire or explode.”

He said Uniross batteries have been tested by an independent international test company and certified in accordance with the United Nations Transport standard - UN38.3. During this certification process, the Uniross lithium 12v 7Ah battery was subjected to a multitude of abusive and destructive tests and passed with flying colours.

“Uniross batteries are also required to withstand a short circuit for at least one hour without the battery temperature exceeding 170°C. In addition, the battery is not allowed to rupture or catch fire during the test within six hours after the test. Comparing this to an old lead type battery usually found in an alarm, gate motor or electric fence, our lithium battery is far safer. A lead battery under these conditions would most certainly pose a severe safety hazard.”

He added that Uniross lithium batteries are also more suited than lead to security systems. “This is because lithium can run completely flat (100% depth of discharge) without causing damage to the battery, making lithium suited to all security systems. Lithium batteries can be used up to 2 000 times as opposed to 250-300 times for a lead battery. Overall, this makes quality lithium batteries a secure choice, ensuring that the system continues to provide power during the current stage 4 to 6 loadshedding and could eliminate rejected insurance claims.

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