Going to build a battery charging safety box. Any tips?

schwim

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Hello there folks!

I've got two bike batteries and numerous power tool batteries and I'm always charging something. Many of my batteries are alternative brand/less expensive offerings and I always feel not great when leaving them to charge in the garage(there is an occupied apartment above). For that reason, I've decided I'm going to build a large metal box to charge the batteries inside of. I've seen the offerings of bags and ammo containers-turned-safety boxes on amazon and they are laughably insufficient.

I figure I'm going to use angle iron for the corners/edging and 1/16 or a bit thinner for the metal body and weld it together. I'll have a front hinged panel to access, add and remove batteries for the box.

I'll also need a way to route charging cables through that isn't just an opening to allow direct access to whatever explosion is occurring inside. I'm thinking maybe a false back with access at the top for the cable to go through, then route the cables down to an opening in the actual back. I've not sorted out all the details but I know I want to use up some of the energy of the fire before it makes it out of the box. Give the smoke detector time time get everyone up and out. The only thing else I can think of are lugs that are isolated from but pass through the box, allowing me to connect wiring on each side. This would allow me to charge with a completely sealed off box.

Any thoughts on the project would be most welcome. Thanks for your time!
 
Hello there folks!

I've got two bike batteries and numerous power tool batteries and I'm always charging something. Many of my batteries are alternative brand/less expensive offerings and I always feel not great when leaving them to charge in the garage(there is an occupied apartment above). For that reason, I've decided I'm going to build a large metal box to charge the batteries inside of. I've seen the offerings of bags and ammo containers-turned-safety boxes on amazon and they are laughably insufficient.

I figure I'm going to use angle iron for the corners/edging and 1/16 or a bit thinner for the metal body and weld it together. I'll have a front hinged panel to access, add and remove batteries for the box.

I'll also need a way to route charging cables through that isn't just an opening to allow direct access to whatever explosion is occurring inside. I'm thinking maybe a false back with access at the top for the cable to go through, then route the cables down to an opening in the actual back. I've not sorted out all the details but I know I want to use up some of the energy of the fire before it makes it out of the box. Give the smoke detector time time get everyone up and out. The only thing else I can think of are lugs that are isolated from but pass through the box, allowing me to connect wiring on each side. This would allow me to charge with a completely sealed off box.

Any thoughts on the project would be most welcome. Thanks for your time!
They make explosion proof bulkhead fittings. I’ve seen them used on military aircraft when routing cables through a wall. I am sourcing a count down timer currently to shut down charging current after a preselected time. The chargers typically used for small batteries used in our eBikes and tools are not smart chargers.
 
I’ve thought that the trailer tongue boxes at harbor freight would be a good starting point. Line it with fire board , put in a fireproof lid gasket, and add a 4" vent or two through the wall and you’d have something.
Alternatively an old self cleaning kitchen oven would work great.
 
I have a small cooler just large enough for 2 batteries, chargers in a military dry bag.. The panel folds into
an 8" x 10" x 2.5" carry case. It zips onto a pvc pipe frame, & attaches to the trailer, plug &play, idiot proof,
200w in good sun. frame multi-positions. wasn't cheap. Everything's secured in a tubular steel trailer with cover.
 
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