dispossing Lipo's
 

Mods please move if its in the wrong thread.

Hey guys I have a IP hard case saddle pack which has puffed up quite a bit. it is a year or 2 old now.
how can I dispose of it or make sure its in a safe handling way before it blows up?

thanks Karl

I was told by a lipo supplier a few years ago to use a 12v light bulb to discharge the battery until it is completely dead. Then you can dispose of it like any other battery.

You should properly dispose of the battery by these two ways:

1. Put the battery in the freezer for about 2-3 days so it freezes the cells

2. Put water in salt in a little bucket then put the battery in there and leave it for 2-3 days.

See if your town/municipality/county has an E-Waste recycling program. Easiest way to dispose of your lipo packs.

The salt water method has found to be lacking by many testers. The problem is the salt water tends to corrode the terminals and prevents dissipating the stored energy. Much better to discharge with a light bulb, preferably outside in a safe place away from kids and pets.

Here is one fairly well documented thread on the subject:

Lipo in saltwater for fun and science

Another well regarded site on lipos:

How-To: Safe lipo preparation for disposal

If the connections are already busted, or if the damage is too severe for comfortable handling, then the salt bucket idea should be used, but for at least a couple weeks if I remember correctly.

Freezing first? Never heard that one, can you provide a source? Granted freezing lowers chemical activity, but I'm not so sure about putting a suspect lipo in the family freezer.

Most Radio Shack stores will take packs free of charge.

Karl,

Noticed you were in New Zealand, try this link:

http://www.rubbishfree.co.nz/information.php/info_id/20