mike_bike_kite Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 I have a Nikola Plus and love the wheel but the wife has heard of battery fires and wants the issue minimised while we're away. Can I just disconnect both batteries before going on holiday and then reconnect when I return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robse Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 I dont think that disconnecting the batteries does any difference unless you remove the batteries completely from the wheel, and stores them somewhere else in a safe place (outside the house) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chriull Posted July 18, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 18, 2023 @mike_bike_kite- if both of the battery packs still charge to about 100.8V and keep this voltage while unburdened the worst risk should be cleared. (Aged, deteriorated cells). Before going on holiday discharging the wheel to some 30-50% reduces the risk, too. Empty cells can't self- ignite. The lower the charge, the lower the risk. But "some" charge has to be left to not deteriorate them! Once li ion cells are empty (too long) they are trash. Removing the batteries could help to remove the risk from short circuits/overburden by faulty motherboard, connectors, wiring, etc... For "perfection" best to put the batteries in some non flammable container (not air tight or it could explode) far enough away from other flammable material. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcatraz Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 To minimize risk just put it somewhere away from flammable objects, or expensive property. That, and a low corrosive environment. It's not so easy to find. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 It's weird. I never really worry about my KS16S but there's always that nagging doubt on the Begode. I don't really have a cheap place to put it. I have a simple choice between my home and the garage which contains all my toys. I can't just leave it outside as it's both catching the sun and rain. However ... I've literally just this moment found this cheap storage box on Amazon, it's a plastic waterproof garden box with lid and I think the Nikola will (just) fit inside. I figure I can put the box somewhere shady in the garden then put the Nikola in at an angle. I might need to deflate the tyres. Not sure if I'll have to put ratchet straps around the outside to support the sides but I can always lean it against a wall. It's not fireproof but I can almost shrug if it does go up in the garden (the wife will obviously kill me though). It's only for holidays when I'm not around but it might get rid of the fear factor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriull Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: I figure I can put the box somewhere shady in the garden Be careful about morning dew! 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: but I can always lean it against a wall. Without thermal insulation? Some burn quite well. Maybe burry the batteries in a metal casing in the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 6 minutes ago, Chriull said: Be careful about morning dew! The case is almost airtight but I guess I could put a cloth (cup of rice, sachet of desiccants) on the bottom to soak up anything. 8 minutes ago, Chriull said: Without thermal insulation? Some burn quite well. It will be completely in the shade. Do I need to do more than that? 9 minutes ago, Chriull said: Maybe burry the batteries in a metal casing in the garden I'm hoping you're kidding here but this would go against the whole usability thing of the wheel. My biggest worry is actually lifting the wheel into the box - it would be a bummer to pull your back just to avoid the tiny potential of a fire. Unfortunately my wife can go on and on over the smallest of things. I think if there was a house fire then she'd have to go with it, if only for my own sanity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriull Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: sachet of desiccants A couple of these could hopefully do it? But i have no experience with such. 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: It will be completely in the shade. Do I need to do more than that? I meant an eventual thermal insulation of a wall could burn quite well! 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: kidding Got me 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: My biggest worry is actually lifting the wheel into the box Maybe you find a box with something doorlike on a side? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriull Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: case is almost airtight You know that almost airtight could make eventually the box explode. You saw the videos of the firesak in action? ... and plastic is additional fuel in case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brahan Seer Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 1 hour ago, mike_bike_kite said: Unfortunately my wife can go on and on over the smallest of things. To appease the wife, a ceramic cloth to wrap the wheel in might be a good compromise. Won't stop a fire but may help contain one. These are trade prices I think but gives you an idea.. https://shop.vitcas.com/products/insulation-materials/ceramic-fibre-insulations.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) Or you could buy one of those steel electrical cabinets.. That are IP66/68 rated. If it's placed outside.. No problem when it "blows" up. Doh having the IP66/68 rating - there will be no chance of bugs getting into the wheel. Worst thing that can happen is, when wheel dies because of a ant. Also those cabinets have 1/2 keys.. So you can lock it. There are many different sizes of the boxes. And they cost 100-200$ Also having door at front - no danger of pulling back. You could even add your own rolling stand. I used said box in my DIY fire proof storage. Also here is the link to the box: https://www.se.com/ww/en/product/NSYCRN86300P/spacial-crn-plain-door-with-mount-plate-h800xw600xd300-ip66-ik10-ral7035-/ Check out how many different sizes they have. Most of big hardware/home improvement stores should have them in stock. Edited July 19, 2023 by Funky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 Guys, I'm just trying to appease the wife, not construct Fort Knox! I'm fairly sure the chances of anything happening is miniscule but if the wife is happy and house doesn't burn down then, as far as I'm concerned, it's a win. If putting the wheel in the box doesn't damage the wheel then it's a double win. If the worst happens and the box explodes into a fireball then my kids can just sort out the mess while we're away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 In that case get simple big plastic box with a closing lid.. Place lid upside down on ground. Place EUC stand on the upside down lid. Place EUC on the stand and then simply place the empty box over the EUC and fasten it to the upside down lid. (The box are sitting upside down.) You don't need to lift euc in the box every time.. I bet the box will be lighter to lift. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 20, 2023 Author Share Posted July 20, 2023 Good idea regards having the box upside down. The garden box I linked to above is arriving tomorrow so I'll see if I can do that. I probably won't be able to as I'll need to have the wheel at an angle to fit in the box (it's a very close fit). I suppose I could build the box around the wheel. Better yet I could ask my elder son just to do the heavy lifting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 21, 2023 Author Share Posted July 21, 2023 OK, I've just built my holiday EUC garage. It seems fairly well built and waterproof and I've put it in a shady spot. I'll probably leave a few bricks on top to keep the lid down if the wind really starts to blow. They'll also help to shield it from the sun. The EUC just fits inside, on it's side, at an angle. I've also put a thermometer thing in there just to record the min and max temps. I guess it will be obvious if any rain gets in (it's going to rain tomorrow) or if it does catch fire Lets see how it goes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodo Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Here is a different answer... tell the wife to shut up and stop talking nonsense. You said it yourself the chance of something happening is miniscule. If you keep entertaining the nonsense it is never going to stop. Sometime something somewhere will happens and if she throws a fit of "I told you so" well .... time for a new wife (keep the wheels) ... LOL. Disclaimer: I'm 50+ and never had one of those nonsense generating biological units ... LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted July 21, 2023 Author Share Posted July 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Rodo said: Disclaimer: I'm 50+ and never had one of those nonsense generating biological units ... LOL. I kind of guessed that well before the end of the first paragraph It's not so bad being married though, there are certainly side benefits and I'm pretty much allowed to do as I please as long as I don't endanger the rest of the family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcatraz Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Bill Burr explained it. If you live alone too long there's little holding insane habits back. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_bike_kite Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 Just to give a review of my little "EUC Garage". I think it worked well. It was outside in the shade and the temp internally ranged between 13C (55F) and 23C (73F). It was also completely watertight. It also didn't upset the wife. If you do have a nagging doubt about leaving your EUC in the house while you're away on holiday and you have somewhere outside in the shade then I think it works well. I'll move my wheel back inside soon and the wife can use the box for gardening things until the next holiday. I thought it was great value for the money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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