Warnings about using Li-Po Batteries

[colin]

This reference is a Must for anyone starting out using Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries. The need for safety cannot be over emphasize.

Here's a couple of Videos showing LiPo batteries Venting out smoke and then exploding like a Firecracker seconds later.

http://www.helifever.com/movies/LiPoFire.wmv
http://www.helifever.com/movies/LithiumBattery.wmv



Please goto this site for very good reference and case studies of LiPo batteries incidents and accidents.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hi Colin,

Well done for mentioning this on your forum I too have been looking at recent clips of li po batteries smoking and then exploding into flames.
The biggest cause of these problems is substantial over charging,
Having read the information and seeing how they can react I have made a note that if and when I use Li Po batteries I will be charging them only whilst I am there to supervise them.

I must also say though that you should not feel put off these batteries. They are very very good performance wise and the benifits they give to us model flyers can only be a good thing.

Regards to all.
Darren.

[colin]

Hi Darren,

I'm not put off by it. I'm flying my caliber EP M24 with a 1500mAH 3 cell LiPo. The original battery is a 8 Cell NiMH which gives me about 2 mins of flying, then about another 2 mins of hover within ground effect.

With the LiPo, my EP Caliber is zipping around the air just like a Nitro heli. I get more than 5 mins flight time, and the power still feels strong after that.

The only problem I got is the extra voltage which I'm not too sure how the electronics and the motor will take to it. It's 9.6v vs 11.1v.

One thing though, with the LiPo, I don't need to fly at full throttle, so I'm guessing that the current draw is a lot less.

But again, for those who wants to use LiPo, it is very important that they understand the dangers of charging/discharging/shorting and overheating. LiPos has been documented to self combust inside cars simply because of the high heat.

WHOAH THAT SCARED ME.. Im never using those batteries

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

I agree with you colin they are a great battery and offer very god performance. I have only heard of cases where these batteries catch fire some very silly mistakes by the battery user.

1 When you charge the battery, Even thought he charger is designed to not overcharge and cause the battery to get hot/warm. This does occur.
If after charging the battery it is hot/warm, Put it in a well ventilated place where it can cool down before use. after use you may find that it is warm/hot again. Again put it in a place where it can cool down.
(Most of the cases where there is fire the person charges the battery and then puts it in the box for transport where it does not get ventilation and the chance to cool. OR the batteries are dammaged and they when warm need to be allowed to cool are thrown/placed in the box for storage till they can be disposed of. Again resulting in over heating and fire.)

These are not scary batteries they are vary good batteries. Its the people that use them that are scary. Use them and treat them properly and you will get the best that they can give.
Abuse them and you may regret it.

regards
Darren.

i have been using duralites now for a few months
and like you guys had concernes at first but if you take good care of what you are doing all should be fine,yes there is always a doubt that something may happen but i will eventualy switch to only these .i get an easy 8 flights with my xtreme on all digitals and i still only charge for the sake of not wanting to crash because they went to low

great batteries you just have to be smart about what you do

steff

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

thanks for confirming what has already been said Steff. glad to here that you are getting on with them.
There is no dispute about how good they are we are just stating that they do need to be treated with respect.

Regards,
Darren.

It should be said that you should never leave any battery unattended whilst charging. Li-po's are no more dangerous than other types so long as you adhere to a few general rules.

With a proper Li-po charger (no other charger will do) set to the correct cell count and input rating (no more than 1c) the pack should never be overcharged. Make sure you don't over-discharge the pack, the minimum you should go is 3.3v per cell. Always monitor the battery for 15mins after use and after charging. If it's ok then it will be fine. They can't be that unstable and dangerous or no shop would stock them!!

Iv'e been flying 3c1p 860mah and 1320mah packs on my Hummingbirds for about 6 months and it totally transforms the machine. I get a good 20 mins with the 3 cells and 35mins with a 2 cell 1200mah, although the 2 cell has not got the punch of the 3 cells.

Happy landings.