32LikesYup, this happened.
08-01-2018, 06:36 AM
#46
Yup, this happened to Toni Phalen, which triggered him to make this excellent article, explaining why lipos in RCs are of a more dangerous kind than the lipos in laptops / smartphones:
LiPo Battery Safety
The only thing one can object is that he didn't charge his lipo in a bag. Now it certainly wouldn't have contained the fire.
But anyway a bag certainly does not help a hot lipo cool down.
Should lipo batteries be banned?
08-01-2018, 12:31 PM
#47
Tech Rookie
It is a fact though that lipos are very sensitive. Overcharge, overheat, deep undercharge, unbalance between cells, shortcut, puncture, even no visible reason... It doesn't require stupidity or gross negligence to cause a fire. Claiming that lipos are safe when used properly is no statement for safety: to be safe lipos should be able to take some beating while remaining stable (as with old nicad batteries).
Personally I am not willing to trade in safety and risk a fire for a better battery. I don't want a product that has to be handled like Hannibal Lecter for improved performances.
Should lipos be banned? In my opinion no. I am surprised though that they are allowed and wouldn't object if they were to be banned.
I hope the next generation of batteries will be safer. LiFe batteries are said to be better but still in development phase. Right now nimh seems a better alternative TO ME.
I read that increasing the voltage could help lower the amps while getting the same result, which would result in less heat. I am not an engineer and so I am not too sure about that.
08-01-2018, 12:48 PM
#48
A123 batteries are still the brand and battery to go 2 way safer .idiot proof just lacking the voltage we in the rc hobby like.but I have managed , 3.6 volts can be multiplied many ways to get voltage I need. no charging bad box or vault needed
08-01-2018, 01:59 PM
#49
Yup, this happened to Toni Phalen, which triggered him to make this excellent article, explaining why lipos in RCs are of a more dangerous kind than the lipos in laptops / smartphones:
LiPo Battery Safety
The only thing one can object is that he didn't charge his lipo in a bag. Now it certainly wouldn't have contained the fire.
But anyway a bag certainly does not help a hot lipo cool down.
Last edited by ta_man; 08-01-2018 at 02:46 PM.
08-01-2018, 07:21 PM
#50
Whether the danger of lipos is acceptable or not is a subjective decision that everyone has to make for themselves.
It is a fact though that lipos are very sensitive. Overcharge, overheat, deep undercharge, unbalance between cells, shortcut, puncture, even no visible reason... It doesn't require stupidity or gross negligence to cause a fire. Claiming that lipos are safe when used properly is no statement for safety: to be safe lipos should be able to take some beating while remaining stable (as with old nicad batteries).
Personally I am not willing to trade in safety and risk a fire for a better battery. I don't want a product that has to be handled like Hannibal Lecter for improved performances.
Should lipos be banned? In my opinion no. I am surprised though that they are allowed and wouldn't object if they were to be banned.
I hope the next generation of batteries will be safer. LiFe batteries are said to be better but still in development phase. Right now nimh seems a better alternative TO ME.
I read that increasing the voltage could help lower the amps while getting the same result, which would result in less heat. I am not an engineer and so I am not too sure about that.
08-01-2018, 08:44 PM
#51
Lipo batteries are plenty safe. If you do something stupid they will have a problem. I've been using Lipo's for 10 years and have never had a lipo go up in flames. I've pushed lipos to the point where I knew to stop using them. If you pay the slightest bit of attention to what you are doing lipo batteries are safe.
Oh, lipo bags have ratings. If you spend the money on a good lipo bag, rated for the size of batteries you use, it will provide the level of protection if something does happen. I cycle my packs at 10C+ and always in a lipo bag. I have a charger that lets me understand the health of my batteries, so I feel perfectly safe using my batteries like this. Other people, that is a different story.
08-01-2018, 09:19 PM
#52
Lipo batteries are plenty safe. If you do something stupid they will have a problem. I've been using Lipo's for 10 years and have never had a lipo go up in flames. I've pushed lipos to the point where I knew to stop using them. If you pay the slightest bit of attention to what you are doing lipo batteries are safe.
08-05-2018, 08:08 PM
#54
Tech Rookie
Thanks for sharing, glad your insurance is working with you but crazy that it's totalled! I have never thought to charge from the lighter, I always just pop the hood and charge on the ground sinesmy charger came with big alligator clamps.
08-06-2018, 05:12 AM
#55
I did not know this. If the bag is rated, I assume that rating will be printed somewhere on the bag?
08-06-2018, 08:01 AM
#56
"Not recommended for batteries exceeding 30 watt-hours"
This bag specifies the same 30 watt-hours limit.
This,
this,
and this all have ratings mentioned in their titles and descriptions. There are limits to what these safety measures can handle. Whether or not you select a bag (or whatever else) that will let you know the limit is up to you.
)
08-07-2018, 04:58 PM
#58
08-07-2018, 05:00 PM
#59
LiFePO4 batteries aren't 50 years old like nickel batteries are, so they're still working on making them as safe and inexpensive as possible. By the time my generation's kids are adults I expect that lithium battery fires will be almost un-heard-of.
08-17-2018, 06:30 AM
#60
Batteries should always be charge while watching them and never unattended. Specially not in a car.