7
FAQ
FAQ
What
do
you
do
with
the
batteries
at
the
end
of
their
life?
Is
there
a
recycling
program?
Recycling
methods
are
currently
being
developed,
with
reports
of
60%
recyclability
at
the
cell
level.
Lithium
batteries
are
the
future
of
energy
storage,
and
recycling
efficiencies
are
predicted
to
climb
to
>90%
as
the
markets
scale
and
additional
recycling
methods
are
developed.
Until
a
mature
recycling
program
is
available,
Flux
Power
agrees
to
take
back
any
battery
at
the
end
of
its
usable
life
for
either
recycling
or
repurposing.
Also
note,
because
lithium
batteries
have
a
much
longer
life
‐
time
vs.
lead
‐
acid,
there
will
be
dramatically
fewer
batteries
subject
to
recycling
over
time.
If
you
require
more
detailed
information
regarding
recycling,
please
contact
your
FLUX
Power
representative.
SAFETY
What
have
you
done
to
verify
the
pack
will
physically
last
5
years?
The
pack
is
designed
to
meet
UL
583.
We
have
done
the
more
abusive
shock
testing
required
for
UL2580
and
passed.
Are
Flux
lithium
batteries
safe?
There
are
a
number
of
factors
responsible
for
the
remarkable
safety
of
Flux
lithium
batteries.
1)
The
selection
of
battery
chemistry
is
important.
There
are
a
number
of
Lithium
‐
ion
chemistries
to
choose
from,
and
each
has
unique
properties.
Flux
has
chosen
lithium
iron
phosphate
(LiFePO
4
)
for
a
number
of
reasons.
Most
importantly
LiFePO
4
is
chemically
stable
and
has
the
highest
thermal
runaway
temperature
of
any
lithium
‐
ion
chemistry
at
518
˚
F.
The
news
stories
of
cell
phone
and
laptop
batteries
catching
fire
were
a
cobalt
based
chemistry
that
is
less
chemically
stable.
These
batteries
are
also
in
a
small
cylindrical
cell
format.
2)
The
lithium
cells
used
are
in
the
form
of
large
pouch
and
prismatic
cell
technology
versus
cylindrical
cell.
The
pouch
and
prismatic
cells
contain
>20Ah
versus
the
2.5Ah
in
cylindrical,
meaning
LiFT
Pack
batteries
have
up
to
10
times
fewer
power
connections.
In
addition
the
cells
are
connected
with
flexible
bus
bars,
meaning
they
are
extremely
vibration
resistant.
3)
The
use
of
Large
Format
Cells
means
there
are
far
fewer
cell
taps
and
temperature
sensors.
This
system
is
less
complex
and
inherently
safer.
4)
The
BMS
monitors
the
cell
temperature
and
current
and
shuts
the
system
down
if
it
detects
anything
which
may
cause
harm
to
the
battery.
This
is
to
maintain
battery
performance
and
expected
lifetime.
What
happens
if
the
pack
is
breached,
what
leaks
out
and
is
it
dangerous?
The
lithium
cells
are
first
encased
in
hard
plastic,
and
then
an
industrial
10
gauge
A36
powder
coated
steel
case.
If
a
user
punctures
through
all
of
these
materials
and
exposes
the
lithium
cell
electrodes
and
electrolyte,
be
cautious
when
handling.
The
electrolyte
consists
of
organic
solvents
(EC,
PC,
DEC)
and
a
dissolved
electrolytic
salt
(LiPF
6
).
They
are
skin
and
eye
irritants,
and
fumes
can
cause
mucus
membrane
irritation.
The
solvents
are
flammable
so
do
not
expose
to
an
open
flame.
Use
rubber
gloves,
eye
protection,
ventilation
and
positive
pressure
breathing
protection
when
removing
the
damaged
battery
and
electrolyte.
In
addition,
LiPF
6
is
hydrophilic
and
reacts
with
water
releasing
hydrogen
fluoride,
a
corrosive
flammable
gas.
If
a
fire
does
occur,
use
a
CO2
or
chemical
fire
extinguisher.
Will
the
batteries
catch
fire?
Flux
Power
uses
lithium
iron
phosphate
in
its
products
as
it
is
the
most
stable
chemistry.
The
burn
temperature
is
over
500
˚
F,
much
higher
than
other
chemistries
such
as
lithium
cobalt
at
300
˚
F.
The
chemical
stability
also
provides
long
cycle
lifetimes
