Safe for Li-Ions to be left in the car?

[musicalfruit]

Tried to do some searching but couldn't come up with the appropriate terms.

I was wondering if it's safe to leave Li-Ions in the car. It would be in the glove compartment and not inside a light.

Thanks!

 

[rushnrockt]

Depends on where you live. I am in Arizona, the temperature inside the car easily reaches 150-160, so I would not recommend that here. In Northern California, you should be alright most of the time.

 

[musicalfruit]

It doesn't usually get warmer than 90F here so perhaps 120F or so inside a baking car? Probably OK then?

Can I leave the battery inside the light? I had a leaking alkaline ruin a cheap light previously but I didn't know if Li-Ion are prone to leaking as well.

Thanks.

 

[mdocod]

IIRC the maximum recommended storage or operating temps for a LiCo or LiMn cell is ~140F.

Cell life/Cycle life is inversely proportional to storage temperatures..

Under the seat is probably one of the coolest places in a car and would be the best place to leave it. Out of direct sunlight is the most important things since most flashlight bodies are black and absorb heat. Glove box is fine in most climates but keep in mind that the dash can get quite warm, which can rise the temperature in the glove box quite a ways above the ambient temp outside.

Just remember, out of direct sunlight makes the biggest difference for most flashlights.

li-ion doesn't usually leak.

 

[VidPro]

i have 2 li-ion car lights in 2 cars, in california ,for years now, never had a problem, but i have extreeme changes made to the vehicles so the heat doesnt rise in them.
i always say you need to concider everything in the car, then your batteries will be ok like the laser in the cd/dvd player that needs cooling, the leds (if you have any) the li-ion in your cell phone, and gps, everything. do you really want to fire up your stereo with the power transisters already at 130* ?
so i use reflective sun shields on the back windows, and fold out or flip out sun shields for the front window. and often a 1/4" slight crack down of the window so convection flow of heat can leave it. (where conciderably safe to do so)

so my car doesnt ever get to the possible 140-150*F temperatures that it could when a car is left in the direct sun unprotected.
even painted one from its dark color to appliance white .

so what i am saying is treat your whole $25,000 car and accessories and parts and the Plastic getting IR/UV destroyed to a little preservation, and your $250 flashlight will be part of that happiness, plus you save lots of money on the fact that you dont have to run the AC grinding on your gas engine as much. save gas, save the car, save the plastic, and save the battereis.

li-ion is very unlikly to leak fluid substance out of it, when they open up, they dry out, and oxidize and all without much possibility of fluids leaving them. more like toxic flamable stuff than drippy leakey stuff.

 

[blackdragonx1186]

i have 3 18650's in my maglite out in my car right now. its been in there for sometime now. i live in central california, so its over 100 all the time. no issues yet. i do keep it under the passenger seat though.