The Importance of Battery Safety and the Safety Advantages of Dabbsson Portable Power Station

A recent article on Yacht.de, titled “Fire Alert: Ship Fires Caused By Batteries'' has drawn widespread attention. This incident occurred on Lake Constance and again highlights the potential risks associated with battery use. However, it’s worth noting that the Dabbsson Portable Power Station featured in the images did not cause the fire and was not damaged in the event - as they note in the article, “The power station in the picture is actually not the cause of the fire and was on board to power devices such as smartphones and tablets.” We extend our sympathies to those involved in the fire and wish them a speedy recovery.

 

It’s known that, occasionally, lithium batteries can explode or cause fires. Recent articles on the web have rightly drawn attention to this issue. They explore the potential of fires caused by batteries whilst outdoors or in densely populated cities - an understandably concerning issue for consumers.

 

But it’s important to remember that it’s still rare for batteries to cause fires. Safety features are built-in to minimize the risk of danger to you and your device. While fires are dangerous, there are simple steps you can take to prevent them occuring. This includes maintaining your battery and keeping it in optimum conditions to prevent damage and to extend its life.

 

At Dabbsson, we put the safety of our customers first. Our portable power station, solar panels and all other devices we make are designed for safely. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of battery safety and the safety features of your Dabbsson portable power station.

The Importance of Battery Safety

The increase in smartphone and other electrical device use, as well as a cultural shift towards sustainable energy, has meant that batteries are an indispensable energy source in the modern world. As more and more people use them in outdoor activities, such as camping and sailing, many batteries are being purchased and kept in potentially extreme conditions.

 

It’s important to remember that as an electrical storage device, batteries need to be maintained and used correctly. Incorrect use can lead to serious safety issues such as fires and explosions - which is why unconnected batteries must be carried in hand luggage rather than checked baggage on an airplane.

 

There are some key battery safety considerations you should take when using your battery in an outdoor adventure or activity. By considering these, you can reduce the risk of any explosions or fires while maintaining the life of the portable power station.

1. Risk of Overcharging and Over-Discharging

One of the key reasons batteries can set on fire is because there’s a risk of overcharging (when you charge a battery too much), or over discharging (when the cell is discharged beyond the lower safety limit).

 

Overcharging is dangerous because it can cause your battery to overheat, leading to a thermal reaction that causes internal components to break down. In turn, this generates more heat - which can lead to fires. On the other hand, over-discharging can cause a battery's voltage to drop and become unstable - which can also lead to thermal issues and potential fires. Because of this, charging or discharging the battery beyond the standard limits may result in degraded battery performance or even cause a fire.

 

Modern batteries incorporate protective measures to monitor and control these processes - you can learn more about how Dabbsson does this below. However, it’s wise to be aware of your batteries' charging limits, information that will likely be found online or in the safety manual.

 

2. Battery Damage and Leakage

Physical damage can harm batteries, causing them to leak. In turn, this substance may be flammable and set on fire. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning that these leaks contain harmful substances, which cause harm to the environment and your health. You should take safety precautions like wearing gloves when handling a leaking battery.

 

There are two common causes of battery leakage: short-circuiting and battery aging. The second factor is the natural corrosion of the battery parts, including the casing and seals, which happens more quickly with low-quality materials.

 

You can prevent battery damage and leakage by adding protective cases to your batteries, storing them in safe, cool and dry places, and regularly inspecting them for damage. If your battery leaks or appears damaged, it should be disposed of appropriately.

 

3. Nail Penetration Test

One of the ways that batteries are tested against damage and leakage is the nail penetration test. This is when a nail is inserted into a battery that is charged to 100%, which stimulates a short-circuit in the battery and external damage.

 

We are proud that Dabbsson’s EV Semi-solid state LFP battery easily passed this test, exceeding the results of a normal LFP battery. Our battery did not explode and no fire or smoke was detected during this test.

 

4. Battery Overheating

While internal processes and malfunctions can cause fires or explosions, excessive use of batteries in high-temperature environments may also cause overheating. Batteries are sensitive and their performance can be affected by overheating in general - if you own an iPhone, you might have experienced being unable to use it when it overheats.

 

High-quality batteries, like the Dabbsson DBS2300 Portable Power Station, are designed to be fireproof with a UL94 V0-rated casing (more information below). This makes them ideal for outdoor adventures with the potential for extreme heat.

 

If your battery feels too hot, stop using it and move it to a cool area out of direct sunlight to give it time to cool down. Make sure that you monitor it.

 

5. Low-Quality Battery Risk

Using inferior or uncertified batteries may present higher safety risks, including battery short-circuiting or overheating.

 

As we mentioned, buying a low-quality battery often leads to higher safety risks. The materials are less durable and therefore can be susceptible to corrosion, short-circuiting and overheating. Your batteries should also be certified and follow FCC 15 rules (limits on the amount of electromagnetic interference allowed from digital and electronic devices). Plus, it’s a good rule to replace them as they reach the end of their life.

Security Benefits of the Dabbsson Portable Power Station

Despite the potential risks associated with battery use, you can rely on the Dabbsson Portable Power Station for safety. That’s because we’ve created a safety-focused power solution with a range of safety features that ensure user safety and reliable power supply to devices:

 

1. 8-layer intelligent battery protection system
2. High-quality materials and batteries
3. Temperature control system
4. Expandable battery connections
5. User-friendly design

 

1. Multi-Layer Safety Protection - 8-Layer Intelligent Battery Protection System

Dabbsson’s battery management system includes multi-layer safety protection, such as overcharge, over-discharge, overload, and short-circuit protection. This regulates voltage, current and temperature, which ensures safe battery operation and a prolonged battery life, to maintain a safe operating environment.

In other words, we’ve taken every step to protect you with precision-designed batteries that have passed the tests they need to keep you safe. Our safety is taken to the next level.

 

2. High-Quality Batteries

Each of our batteries is crafted from high-quality and certified LiFePO4 (read about the benefits of LiFePO4 here). This high-quality material and manufacturing reduces common risks associated with battery quality issues and ensures long-term reliability.

 

3. Temperature Control System

Our portable power station is equipped with an intelligent temperature control system to prevent battery overheating issues. This ensures safe operation in various environmental conditions - with added protection from the outdoors with a fireproof casing. UL94 V0-rated casing is explained in detail at the PolymerInsights website.

 

4. Expandable Battery Connections

A huge bonus to purchasing a Dabbsson product is that we offer optional expandable batteries. This allows you to get all of the power you need, whenever you need, to increase your home or RV’s battery capacity without compromising safety or battery performance.

 

5. User-Friendly Design

To be able to maintain your battery and keep it safe, you need to know how to use it. The Dabbsson portable power station has an easy-to-use interface and clear indicator lights so that you can see the status of your battery at all times. In the user manual, you’ll find a page dedicated to helping you understand what the indicators mean.

 

Plus, we have created a smart app to assist you to monitor the battery’s status and provide an early warning about potential issues.

 

Conclusion

Batteries and portable power stations need to be handled with consideration and care. There have been instances of them causing fires and explosions - hence safety measures being taken on planes and in safety manuals provided with the devices, to make sure that you are as safe as possible.

 

The recent article on Yacht.de highlights these potential risks. However, the battery industry has listened to these concerns. At Dabbsson, we have harnessed our team's combined talent and experience in technological innovation and manufacturing to create portable power stations that are reliable with excellent safety performance. This means that today, Dabbsson batteries and power stations stand out from the crowd.

 

The Dabbsson Portable Power Station that was found on the boat did not cause the fire and was not damaged in the event. We are proud of our products and as this case highlights, portable power stations can provide a stable, reliable and safe source of energy for your outdoor adventures.