The BAT-SAFE LiPo battery charging box is basically like an Ammo box with flame filter. This is more of an overview than review because I am not going to deliberately start a LiPo fire to test it. Not only because it’s unsafe, but also this box wasn’t cheap so I am not going to destroy it for fun :) There are plenty of tests online which I will link to if you are interested in seeing how well it works. Anyway I have been using it on a daily basis for charging and it gives me a peace of mind. In this post will also explain how it works and where you can get one.
Table of Contents
Why Do I Need a Bat-Safe Box?
LiPo batteries, while incredibly efficient and powerful, can be dangerous if mishandled or charged improperly. That’s where the Bat-Safe LiPo Charging Box comes in. I have a tutorial explaining how you should handle LiPo properly: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/
As a big fan of Ammo boxes for storing and charging LiPos, I can’t stress enough their importance. These sturdy boxes do a much better job than most LiPo bags out there.
Now, I can almost hear you thinking, “Is this box foolproof?” Well, let’s be real: the only certainties in life are death, taxes, and drone crashes. But in the grand scheme of things, this box is a safer bet than stashing your LiPos in mere LiPo bags. Plus, that nifty filter is great at reducing the smoke damage a battery fire can inflict on your walls.
A word of caution: while the Bat-Safe box is pretty impressive, it isn’t a magic wand. It won’t actively put out the fire but contain it until it eventually burns out. It’s not a replacement for proper fire safety precautions and equipment, such as a trusty fire extinguisher. Remember, folks, do everything you can to ensure safety.
Where Can You Get One?
The Bat-Safe LiPo Battery Charging box I bought is the medium size, which is great for regular FPV drone use. Find it here:
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcRNzFJ
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/43nl1sA
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-5njc
Each box comes with a set of instructions and a battery charger holder.
Here’s a list of features described by the manufacturer:
- Great for charging, storing and transporting LiPos
- Fireproof battery safe
- Double steel insulated walls
- Fiberglass and steel wool filter
- Stops flames and intense smoke
- Easy to use latch and seal
- Fire collar grommet for wires to connect from charger to battery
- Magnetically attached mount for the charger
- Piece of mind when charging your batteries
- Lightweight with carrying handle
The Bat-Safe Design
The Bat-Safe box is a sturdy, double-wall insulated steel container, designed to contain the heat of a battery fire.
Instead of completely sealing the container, the BAT-SAFE is vented on top for hot gases and smoke to exit to avoid dangerous build-up of pressure inside. With fiberglass and steel wool filter in place, it can filter out flame and nasty soot.
There’s a latch for securing the lid.
Rubber feet on the bottom.
The box includes a stand for your charger and a rubber grommet with a double seal on the lid, allowing you to pass cables through. This ingenious design lets your charger rest easy on top, with leads running through the box, while your battery sits safely inside.
The Bat-safe boxes are a lot lighter than typical ammo boxes, making them great for storing and transporting batteries too with the elastic band handle on the side.
Size and Dimensions
This medium version has the following measurements:
- External Dimensions: 300 x 220 x 160mm
- Internal Dimensions: 240 x 165 x 80mm
- Weight: 1920g
It has enough room for 4 to 6 of your 6S 1100mAh – 1300mAh LiPo batteries.
Or 2 of the huge 6S 10000mAh ones.
Bat-Safe also offers other sizes: Mini, XL and XXL. The XXL is a beast, perfect for e-bike batteries and those times when you need to charge multiple large Lipos.
Mini measurements:
- External Size: 195 x 128 x 115mm
- Internal Size: 165 x 100 x 50mm
- Weight: 1.6 pounds / 0.7kg
XL size:
- Outer measurements: 305*230*445mm
- Internal measurements: 240*165*380mm
- Weight: 3.7kg
XXL dimensions:
- External Dimensions: 300*220*680mm
- Internal Dimensions: 240*165*600mm
How Effective is BAT-SAFE
There are plenty of impressive demonstrations of how the BAT-SAFE box contains a battery fire on the internet.Here are a few examples of our Bat-Safe box in action, put to the test by other users:
How to Use?
Setting up the Bat-Safe was a breeze. It comes with an clearly written owner’s manual.
The idea is that you put the LiPo charger on top, run your charge cable down and through a rubber grommet, lock it up and charge your batteries safely inside the box.
The stand for the charger slots neatly onto the top of the box, and the charger rests on top. You might need a strap to hold it in place.
Install the extension wires from the charger to the battery via the grommet on top. Do note that the Bat-Safe doesn’t come with any extension cables for charging your batteries, so you might have to hunt them down separately.
XT60 extension (male to female):
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmKbDGZ
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MCSXLb
6S balance lead extension (male to female, 6S ones also work for 2S, 3S, 4S batteries):
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcIOiL7
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3MX3UZm
I am using the HGLRC Thor Pro parallel charging board which conveniently doubles as an extension for me. I do wish my leads were longer though, it’s a bit of a stretch, but it gets the job done.
Once your charger is set up and your wires are fed through, secure the Bat-Safe by fastening the latch, and you’re all set to charge.
Warning: Never leave your battery charging unattended!
Alternatives to Bat-Safe
Now, if you’re not ready to commit to the Bat-Safe, there are other options out there. You could use an ammunition box for sure, which is what I used before I got the Bat-Safe. They’re cheap and also does a decent job, but they don’t have the filter.
Get Ammo box here:
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RcTbKI
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdQY4wP
For travelling I normally just use LiPo bags because they are convenient to use and lightweight, but they offers little protection against fire.
Get LiPo bags here:
- Banggood: https://goo.gl/vbnErt
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/40c7qDN
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-czrh
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-eie5
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DePGYer
Conclusion
If you want to protect your property and your belongings around your charging station, the Bat-Safe box is definitely something you should consider. It provides not only a sense of security but a robust solution for storing, transporting, and charging your LiPo batteries.
That said, it’s important to do your own research and decide what’s best for you. The bottom line is, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to battery safety. So whether you choose the Bat-Safe, an ammo box, or a LiPo bag, the golden rule is to always prioritize safety.
If you decide to get one, you can find it here:
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcRNzFJ
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/43nl1sA
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-5njc
7 comments
Watching a lot of videos lately on YouTube re LiPo’s has honestly got me a little anxious, would like some confirmation from some people that are experienced in this subject please as I am new to using this class of battery. My lipo’s are in good condition, always balance charge them with a smart charger, check the cells are equal and when not using for a few days, I put them in storage mode (3.8v) and keep them in separate lipo bags when then in turn are placed in a batbox which is then placed inside a large fireproof lipo holdall, I then keep these in my garage. Is this a safe enough procedure please? I just would like to know if I am covering all bases.
MOS DEF worth every penny…… I’d highly recommend this to anyone who’s not super psyched on house fires ;-)
Has the company produced any proof that the new XXL bat-safes can made a 750 WH fire?
What about 1s batteries?
We normally tend to have them all in a bulk in the same place (maybe 10 to 20 of them) but I am not sure about how much danger they bring if you do not have one of this boxes.
Do anyone had a 1s accident happening to them and how dangerous was it?
When using the ammo box, It’s necessary to remove the rubber seal from the lid. That solves air vent problem.
Thanks for the review.
I’ve got 3 of them but i do not use them for charging, only for storage.
This is totally personal opinion of course but i want to see my lipos when charging. Once, i got one puffing while charging, could have catch fire without visual contact.
Also not sure amunition box is a good idea as there’s no vent for the smoke to evacuate it can take high pressure, turn into a bomb and eventually explode.
Again this is just personnal experience and opinion
The ammo box has the potential to explode when opened I’ve read and some people suggest making a small air vent/hole in it…