Re: Batteries and Fire

["Robert L Bass" <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Julian,

Try this little experiment:

1. Wrap a 1' long piece of wire in newsprint, leaving 2" exposed at each end.
2. Attach the two ends to the electrodes of a 12V 7AH gel cell.
3. Run for fire extinguisher.
4. Post apology.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-866-1100
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

"Julian" <julian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:qluaq259vl2fsn4p1ckul21fead087cuh0@xxxxxxxxxx
> So it turns out I didn't need to experiment with batteries to see if
> they can start a fire. An incompetent shipper from Burtek did me the
> favour when he  badly packaged a case of batteries. For some stupid
> reason, they did not come in the orginal cardboard case with the nice
> cardboard pieces separating the batteries and another nice cardboard
> piece on top. Instead they were packaged in a makeshift box and at
> some time were jostled about and two of the batteries touched
> terminals. The little plastic protectors came off and the batteries
> shorted together. But no fire. Scorching, yes, but no fire. The
> terminals of the batteries fried off. Nothing there but little nubs.
> It's likely that there wasn't enough oxygen to keep the fire going.
> Now had someone added an accelerant, that would be a different story.
>
> So there you go Robert. Is fire possible if you toss the battery in
> the garbage without taping the terminals...... yes, but not PROBABLE.
> If two new batteries touching terminals doesn't start a fire inside a
> cardboard box stuffed with paper, it's highly doubtful a dead battery
> tossed into a residential garage will.
>
>
> Julian
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