Baby LiPo's

Jolly Roger · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject: Baby LiPo's

Hi guys,
I understand now how dangerous LiPo batteries can be.
But, what about the small single cell batteries for the small birds?

Should they be treated with the same respect e.g. storage/charging?

I have been Very guilty about charging (4 port E-flite Celectra charger) unattended and even forgetting to remove charged batteries overnight.

The charger seems to stop charging because the batteries are always cool when I do remember to take them out of the charger.

These guys seem to small to cause much damage but I certainly don’t want to wake up some night to the smoke alarms going off Shocked

Your thoughts and advice are always appreciated and welcome.
This is a great forum and I have learned so much from your posts.
Thanks,
JR

pjdog · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject:

I also use the 4 port E-flite Celectra charger. I believe that the charger does stop the charge when the batteries are full. However they are Lipo's. Most the time I use the 4 "D" cell batteries for charging so I'm not real sure about the safety. I would think the rule to use would be not to take a chance. Keep an eye on them.

Jack

Crashagain · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject:

They have to ability to pop and make flames just like any other lipo, maybe just not as big. But a fire is a fire. If you can burn a house down falling asleep with a smoke in your hand, I think a small lipo could do the same, just a little faster

pjdog · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject:

Good point crash.

Jolly Roger · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:01 am Post subject:

I agree, burning down the house is not something I want to do.
Guess I'll be more cautious with my charging the little ones.

Thanks guys,
JR

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:23 am Post subject:

If you want to be super safe you could buy (or steal one from the wife) a Pyrex baking dish & lid big enough to place the charger in while using it. I'd bet that would contain a 1 cell LiPo fire, even if the LiPo starts the plastic charger case ablaze.
Best advice is to always keep watch while charging, but sometimes nature calls, beer runs dry... A little extra insurance wouldn't hurt.

mikeegan · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:05 am Post subject:

Hi DT
I like the Pyrex idea. & you are right nature does call & the beer tins do run dry.
Cheers
Mike

tombo242 · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:03 pm Post subject:

Good idea with the Pyrex DT.

Only problem I see is that it would not stop the clouds of thick black smoke. It would still have to be outside to prevent serious cosmetic damage to the house. The smoke carries sticky black soot with it and it makes one heck of a mess and smell. Only safe place I have inside here is the 'Glass Doored' fire place. Batteries locked in there cannot damage anything other than sooting up the inside of the fire place.

Tom.

Jolly Roger · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject:

Tom,
Thats a great idea!

I have a fireplace in the basement (where I usually fly) that I could put the charger in and charge while watching TV.

Thank you so much.
JR