Go Back  R/C Tech Forums > General Forums > Radio and Electronics
Disposing of old Lipos? >

Disposing of old Lipos?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Like Tree1Likes

Disposing of old Lipos?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-29-2017 | 09:41 PM
  #1  
Kyosho Joe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Tech Adept
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 170
From: Hollidayburg PA
Default Disposing of old Lipos?

Just wondering what everyone does to dispose of their old lips batteries? Every great once in a while I will get a battery that will no long take a charge and I know that its been damage internally and I now have a ticking time bomb for a house fire on my hands. I don't like to just throw them in the trash because I don't want to set the garbageman's truck on fire. At least not when it still on my street. I know you are supposed to discharge them and then place them in water or something but I don't have time for that. I usually take them out in my back yard and shoot them with my .22 caliber S&W revolver. let them fiz and fume and then I put them in the trash... I use 22 shorts so I don't disturb my neibours to much. LOL . Seriously question though. I'm wondering what does everyone do to neutralize these when they have gone bad....
Kyosho Joe is offline  
Old 10-29-2017 | 10:53 PM
  #2  
gigaplex's Avatar
Tech Champion
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7,766
From: Melbourne, VIC
Default

Try asking your local hobby shop if they've got a recycling program. I think some areas legally need to offer them.
gigaplex is offline  
Old 10-29-2017 | 11:30 PM
  #3  
Kyosho Joe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Tech Adept
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 170
From: Hollidayburg PA
Default

I just wish I had a local hobby shop! I live in central Pennsylvania. And for 75% of the people around here the main hobbies are Heroine and Methamfetimein. Thus the local economy has no room left for normal people hobbies....
Kyosho Joe is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 06:07 AM
  #4  
Darkgenerals's Avatar
R/C Tech Elite Member
iTrader: (82)
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,663
From: Granbury Tx
Default

Best buy will accept old lipo's and electronic devices.
Darkgenerals is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 06:49 AM
  #5  
LA-2-AL's Avatar
Tech Regular
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 262
From: Avon Lake, OH
Default

Both Lowes and Best Buy near me have recycle bins for "rechargeable batteres",, they don't say no lipos,,, so I drop them off there
LA-2-AL is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 07:33 AM
  #6  
peter george's Avatar
Tech Champion
iTrader: (379)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,918
From: queens ny
Default

Originally Posted by LA-2-AL
Both Lowes and Best Buy near me have recycle bins for "rechargeable batteres",, they don't say no lipos,,, so I drop them off there
I do the same
peter george is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 11:26 AM
  #7  
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 74
Default

Originally Posted by Kyosho Joe
Just wondering what everyone does to dispose of their old lips batteries? Every great once in a while I will get a battery that will no long take a charge and I know that its been damage internally and I now have a ticking time bomb for a house fire on my hands. I don't like to just throw them in the trash because I don't want to set the garbageman's truck on fire. At least not when it still on my street. I know you are supposed to discharge them and then place them in water or something but I don't have time for that. I usually take them out in my back yard and shoot them with my .22 caliber S&W revolver. let them fiz and fume and then I put them in the trash... I use 22 shorts so I don't disturb my neibours to much. LOL . Seriously question though. I'm wondering what does everyone do to neutralize these when they have gone bad....
If it is internally damaged and you cannot even connect a 12v automotive light bulb to drain the remaining voltage than you should use the salt water as it will do the job. To be clear, the salt water's purpose is only to slowly drain the remaining voltage from the cells. If you are careful, you can also separate the cells and try to drain each one separately with a light blub. Once the voltage is drained to zero, they can simply be tossed.
jkaetz is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
racer1812's Avatar
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,743
From: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
Default

The salt water method is said to be a myth. The tabs on the cells will disintegrate before the pack voltage reaches zero.
racer1812 is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 07:50 PM
  #9  
sakadachi's Avatar
Tech Elite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,354
From: USA
Default

I let mine drain all the way on the porch sidewalk in a metal cooking pot using an old bulb discharger I made. Once at zero volts, just short out the leads by connecting the positive and negative leads. Then toss in the trash once completely cool.
sakadachi is offline  
Old 10-30-2017 | 08:25 PM
  #10  
nitro_mt_racer's Avatar
Tech Master
iTrader: (252)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,790
From: Wapakoneta OH
Default

Burning barrel
nitro_mt_racer is offline  
Old 10-31-2017 | 07:36 AM
  #11  
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 74
Default

Originally Posted by racer1812
The salt water method is said to be a myth. The tabs on the cells will disintegrate before the pack voltage reaches zero.
I could see the tabs disintegrating, but would also expect the salt water to permeate the cell and create a drain even without the tabs. I suppose someone would have to test to confirm or deny the theory. Personally the light bulb method works just fine.
jkaetz is offline  
Old 10-31-2017 | 07:55 AM
  #12  
jasburrito's Avatar
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 812
From: The 70s
Default

I like to charge um up and shoot with my 22. If they do not caught on fire I stomp them with my foot to try to get um to burn. The newer lipos have anti fire materials added that do not burn as well as older generations of lipos.
jasburrito is offline  
Old 10-31-2017 | 08:17 AM
  #13  
Tech Champion
iTrader: (292)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,366
From: Central Wisconsin USA
Default

My method...discharge down to 3.0 volts per cell, then drain down to zero w/tailight bulbs (2) and then soak in salt water solution for 2 weeks and then garbage them.
Andy Koback is offline  
Old 11-01-2017 | 11:02 AM
  #14  
Eric Bryant's Avatar
Tech Addict
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 564
Default

If you're draining the cells below 3V or so, make sure that you don't ever accidentally attempt to recharge the pack!

Honestly, once the cells are discharged to 3V or thereabouts, there is very little electrical energy left in the pack, and I'm unconvinced that it's necessary to drain it any further.
Eric Bryant is offline  
Old 11-01-2017 | 11:17 AM
  #15  
racer1812's Avatar
Super Moderator
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,743
From: RIP 'Chopper', 4/18/13 miss you bud:(
Default

Originally Posted by jkaetz
I could see the tabs disintegrating, but would also expect the salt water to permeate the cell and create a drain even without the tabs. I suppose someone would have to test to confirm or deny the theory. Personally the light bulb method works just fine.
I agree. My comment comes from the fact that one could put the pack in salt water, have the tabs degrade and the pack read zero voltage yet still be fairly charged.

I say bring that puffy bugger to BestBuy and drop it in their box recycle box and let them deal with it..lol
racer1812 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.