V2.2
RUNGU Electric Juggernaut User Manual
–
2017 model year
Copyright 2017 Standard Bearer Machines, LLC
19
Battery Safety (In Depth)
Main reasons a battery pack will fail:
•
Short-circuit
•
Charging
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Forced over-discharge
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Excessive heat or incineration
•
Crush, puncture, or disassembly
While Hi Power Cycles have designed their cells and batteries to be tolerant of adverse conditions, these
very active chemical systems have limitations. Certain hazards are associated with exposure to heat and
its subsequent effects on sealed cells. These hazards include the potential for cell venting, explosion,
and/or fires. The initial source of heat can be external (welding, soldering, etc.) or internal such as
heating caused by short circuiting, excessive running currents for prolonged periods of time, forced
over-discharge, charging, or excessive mechanical abuse. Specifically, mechanical abuse in the form of
excessive shock or vibration can result in case deformation, crushing, and damage to the electrode
materials.
Warning: Not guarding against these conditions may result in a hot cell or a battery pack that could
vent or explode.
The intent of this section is to provide a general knowledge of how to handle cells and batteries that
have been subject to these adverse conditions. This document will focus on the following:
•
Hot cells
•
Leaking or venting cells
•
Cells that have exploded
•
Fires involving lithium batteries
•
The guidelines in this document are minimum recommendations.
Only trained and equipped emergency responders shall be allowed to respond to a vented cell incident.
Consult federal, state, and local regulations for emergency response regulations.
Hot Cells
A hot cell is a condition that arises due to a short circuit of the cell or battery, either internal or external.
The cell/battery temperature rises as the event continues which can lead to the cell reaching critical
temperature and the potential to vent or explode.
Vented Cells
It is unlikely that any lithium battery would explode. These events are rare and are usually the result of
an abusive condition or misuse that raises the cell temperature above its critical point.
