Lipo starting to puff up. What to do?
 

My 2 yr old smc pack is starting to swell little by little. What do I do with this pack? Is it safe to keep using it for now?

If it stays swollen or swells during or after charging, dispose of it.

If it swells slightly during a run, but returns to shape and doesn't have soft spots after the pack cools, it *should* be safe to continue using, but I, personally, would be shopping for a replacement pretty soon.

If possible, and if you're not already, store the pack in a fireproof container [metal ammo can would be perfect] well away from anything flammable.

Take this info as you see fit. I know batteries represent a high expense to a lot of us, but if I had a pack swelling [haven't had it happen to me yet], I would dispose of and replace it.

Youtube Lipo fires and you'll leave that sucker outside tonight.

YIKES.

It's not really ballooning just yet. The case is starting to move apart at the seam. I'll start the salt water soak today. What a shame. It still has alot of juice.

Bin it and don't buy SMC again.

discharge the pack on a low load before using the salt water bath. The salt water just helps to discharge the pack the last little bit, and then corrode/ dissolve the internal contacts from the cells so they can't discharge again even if they recover some charge.

i would run away :lol: am serious

..:rolleyes:..if he had said 2 months I would agree..but just how long do you "think" LiPo's last..most last 500 to 1000 charges..and if you abuse them..over charge, use them incorectly, bad things can happen..talk to the helicopter guys that have been using lipos for way longer than "us" car guys..they will tell you that lipos don't last forever..but I would not use that pack anymore..

I used my Intellect 5000 50c lipo and after about 10 runs it puffed. I never over discharged it, always ran with low voltage cutoff, always charged properly and always stored correctly. So it just goes to show that sometimes you can just get dud batteries. My other battery which is the exact same has no signs at puffing at all....

SMC are crap mate. FACT. Don't matter if it's 2 months or 2 years, SMC's love to swell. I also understand that lipo's do not last forever but there are better choices than SMC.

the IP 5600 50C packs are about £60 delivered and great performance and great value. available on ebay etc.....


http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-bat...h-p-30916.html

Temporary short term measure. Put in a ziploc bag and keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours. Not the freezer.

I am running the 5000mah version and have had no probs. Very good lipo's for the price.

Any pack, regardless of brand, that started swelling should be discharged and disposed of. Sure, the pack will still take a charge and discharge, but it's no longer safe.

A lipo pack relies on the vacuum seal to keep all the anode/cathode layers in place. Once the electrolyte breaks down into gas, the vacuum is gone and this allows the layers to shift around. If the pack is mostly charged and the layers shift - then there is the possibility of a short circuit which can result in a fire.

The salt water disposal method is a bit paranoid. Just do a gentle discharge all the way down in any flame proof container/sack and you are done. Once the stored energy is gone - there is zero possibility of a fire.

linger: define 'all the way down' discharge, 3.0v per s?

Thank you