The December/January 2023 edition of Professional
Boat Builder arrived today. On the last page is the Parting Shot section and the topic is "Abusing
LiFePo4 Batteries in ABYC's Test Kitchen." It is written by John Adley who is the president of the ABYC.
My summary of the article follows. It would be easier to cut and past but it is an actual magazine.
The ABYC technical department is running testing a variety of
LiFePo4 batteries from high end
marine specific batteries to less expensive batteries for unspecified applications. The batteries tested are all readily available to the public.
Testing included overcharging, undercharging, high temperatures, deep draw down, high and abrupt load, etc.
The
marine specific batteries included elements required under ABYC's E-13 standard such as a a BMS and successfully handled the abusive tests. The BMS protected the batteries, wires and components.
They then started testing non compliant products in the same manner. They expected failures and and observed the tests from a safe distance. Nothing happened.
They did finally get a battery to smoke during an out of parameter test. The test was driving two 10 penny framing nails into the battery, which only smoked but did not catch fire. Not a documented
accident as was noted.
There is a comment about drop in batteries causing problems, especially if they do not have a BMS, since the LiFePo4 batteries should be installed as a complete system.
They then burned up a
boat as part of a arson investigation test. The batteries were placed very close to the "epicenter of the choreographed incident." The batteries did not add to the "conflagration."
They will be testing energized and non energized batteries submerged in
salt water and maybe use a battery for target practice.
"Stand by for the next chapter."
Later,
Dan