Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that hold a lot of energy for their size, which is why they power phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters. They’re safe in normal use, but a damaged or faulty one can overheat and catch fire, so they’re worth storing with a little care.
At Wigwam
Your laptops, tablets, cordless tools and e-bikes are welcome, within a few sensible limits that keep everyone’s belongings safe:
- up to five e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards or similar in a unit, or more if their batteries are taken out and kept elsewhere;
- up to ten laptops, tablets, children’s toys or similar items with built-in batteries;
- loose lithium-ion batteries of 160Wh or less, such as spare tool packs;
- a battery over 160Wh only if it’s built in and can’t be removed, so a removable one stays with you, even when it clips into the bike;
- no power banks, portable chargers or similar portable power sources.
Anything with a built-in battery should be free of visible damage, not stacked, and have room for air around it. We recommend storing batteries at the lowest practical charge. Our units don’t have power sockets, so nothing is ever left charging.
What to check
The battery’s watt-hour rating decides which limit applies. It’s usually printed on the battery or given in the manual; if not, multiply the volts by the amp-hours, so an 18V, 5Ah tool pack is 90Wh. Leave at home any battery that’s swollen, cracked, leaking or has been in an accident: GOV.UK’s battery safety guidance for e-cycle users picks out counterfeit, damaged or poorly modified batteries as a particular fire risk.
If you’re not sure about yours, call us on 0800 2545585 before you bring it and we’ll help you check.
Related terms
Related questions
- Can I store an electric bike, e-scooter or lithium batteries in a storage unit?
- Can I store a mobility scooter in a storage unit?
- Do storage units have electricity?
Further reading
- GOV.UK: Battery safety for e-cycle users