A lot of energy can be contained even in a low voltage battery. Under conditions of electrical overload, or short circuit caused by mechanical failure or damaging impact, there is a potential for fire. For this reason, high powered batteries should never be placed within the passenger compartment of an enclosed vehicle. Batteries are our “gas tanks” and like a gasoline tank they belong outside of the driver’s office in a race car.
Batteries 48V and below are considered “low voltage”. Unless circumstances are extreme (like touching it with your tongue), dry skin contact with 48V DC will not produce a shock. However, a short circuit will create BIG sparks, melt wires and possibly cause a life-threatening fire. Be careful when you are handling electrically conductive tools around battery terminals!
To illustrate this, I put a ground clamp on the negative cable of a 33V Kart battery and a stick welding rod holder on the positive cable. Then I grabbed an 1/8″ stick rod and struck an arc on a piece of steel. For a quick second I was laying a nice bead of weld…. then the rod turned white hot and vaporized. Don’t vaporize your screwdriver by accidentally shorting it across Kart battery terminals!
Batteries that exceed 48V have the potential to create injury or life-threatening electrical shock. To minimize the danger of being exposed to high voltage, we recommend all individual batteries be limited to 48V or below. If the application requires higher voltage, then these lower voltage batteries can be wired in series to achieve the desired voltage. It’s extremely important that only qualified personnel who have training in the safety protocols for working with and around high voltage electricity be allowed to assemble, perform service on and work around high voltage batteries.
Liability disclaimer
CuicPower batteries are sold as “do-it-yourself” user assembled kits. It’s up to the customer to determine suitability of the product for their application and to utilize the components purchased from CuicPower in the safest way possible. CuicPower will only sell battery components to customers who agree to assume ALL liability for the use or mis-use of CuicPower products. Driving high speed Go-Karts and Race Cars is an inherently dangerous activity not only for the participants but also the bystanders. It is the responsibility of the participants and organizers of these activities to practice effective safety procedures. The CuicPower employees and management cannot be held responsible for accidental injury or death of participants or spectators in these activities.