I have about 2 dozen Sony/Murata VTC5A 18650 lithium battery cells awaiting a project.

While they shouldn't pose an immediate danger, we all know unexpected things happen. I'm looking for a way to store them to minimize the risk of something happening. Right now they are in a plastic container that keeps them separate and electrically isolated from each other. But it isn't a fire resistant enclosure by any stretch of the imagination. They do live in a climate controlled area for what that's worth.

I've heard a recommendation to store them in an Ammo Box - not sure how much good that is (no really, I don't know). Amazon has numerous "fireproof" "explosion proof" containers for anywhere from about $15-$40. But once you read the details they are "proof" up until 1000F, and then all bets are off. And batteries in thermal runaway can easily exceed that. So not really "proof".

I guess could buy CellBlock and a container and store them that way, but that's kind of overkill.

Looking for storage recommendations.

Thanks.

 

I’ve never heard of 18650 cells spontaneously combusting – the damage being due to the battery being electrically or mechanically abused.
Given that, something like this should suffice – better than leaving them lose in a drawer that could result in a short.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/31423177...9qDx1t3Yw6Z5ktxarkAHzh9Q==|tkp:Bk9SR5jLmubPZQ

 

I see you are alerady storing them in something like the above - so I would not worry.

 

Certainly an ammo box would provide good protection against a battery combusting, as long as you insure the cells can't short-circuit on the metal, but don't know if that's really necessary.

 

Make sure that the Cells are Charged between ~3.5V and ~3.8V,
this is the Voltage-range that they like to be stored at.

Charge or Discharge them until they are within this Range.
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Looking for storage recommendations.

Fire and explosion proof seems like overkill.

I use something like this for storing 18650, 18500, and 16340 cells: