I might have a geezer attitude about this, but there's no way I'm burying a potential fire hazard under the seat, where I can't get to it quickly. Lithium can wait.
My last lead-acid battery went 7 years in my Shovelhead, and you could tell it was time. The only problem with the gel one in my Evo is that it dies without warning when it gets too old. Either way...no dangerous issues with either of them.

 

This actually works but ONLY to wake up a lithium that's voltage is too low and the lithium charger won't charge it. You put the lithium battery on a lead acid battery charger/mode at a low charge rate for a few minutes....maybe just a min or 2. You just need to get enough volts in the battery so that the lithium charger will recognize the low voltage and charge. You do NOT charge the battery in lead acid mode. You're just giving it a tickle.

To be clear.... I am not recommending doing this. I'm just saying that it is a fix that people have done to wake up a lipo. However if the lipo is truly dead, 0 volts, it won't work.

 

Fingers crossed because my 2020 Honda Africa Twin came with a lithium battery. I did purchase a Battery Tender for lithium batteries and marked its lead as well as the pigtail on the Africa Twin in red, but still my concern is ME accidentally connecting one of my conventional chargers to it and killing the battery. I'm anxious to see how long this battery lasts, hopefully at least 5-6 years to justify it's high replacement cost.

 

I thought these lithium motorcycle and automotive batteries had charge control and cell balancing electronics in the battery, Guess not.

As mentioned, be glad meltdown is all that happened.

 

Yet, I’ve never heard of a lithium battery exploding while cranking a motor. And I had a lead acid battery blow up years ago, when I tried to start a car.

 

If their so dangerous why are they sold everywhere .

 

Note to the MoCo engineers: "Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done."

 

Because people will buy them ? They used to sell "Pintos" too.


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I know that this is the internet and everyone is an expert and has an opinion.

However, I certify batteries for living. I have thought classes on battery safety and certification standards. I have seen way to many batteries explode, catch on fire and cause property damage and loss of life.

That being said.

There is a huge difference in chemistry between power tools batteries (Lithium-Ion) and motorcycle batteries (Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO))

All power tools batteries have been independently certified. Each cell has to be certified to UL1642 and then as a pack to UL2054, then the chargers are certified to UL1310 or UL60950/UL62368. These are very rigorous standards. That is why there are no bad news coming from Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita, Dewalt, and the other known brands.

FYI single battery certification for US and Canada costs $20K.

Trust me when I tell you: NEVER PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT BATTERY from anyone except from the OEM. This goes for Mobile Phones, Notebooks, Power Tools etc. Unprotected, uncertified single cell 18650 battery will burn your house in 5 minutes.

LiFePO are much more inherently safe. The fact that the battery created so much heat that "melted" the enclosure without catching on fire is a good testament to their safety.
The cause of the meltdown is the user error and incorrect charging. You can't fix stupid!
LiFePO batteries have a fantastic thermal and chemical stability, but most importantly they are incombustible.
I use Shorai LiFePO battery in my race bikes and would recommend them to anyone. However, there is no need to use lightweight LiFePO battery in a regular road bike or scooter.

For the vape users. It is not the vape that will kill you, it is the battery.

 

Ok then, you seem like the one to ask...Assuming they aren't being charged improperly, what causes those vape pens to explode in someone's pocket, or those hoverboards to ignite like we've seen?