Originally Posted by
RC Fanatic20
Not to be the non-safety supporter person but most of the time label batteries if you charge them properly and they are not damaged are not going to blow up. And if you're charging batteries you should always be watching them to make sure that they're not blowing up or smoking or something. You shouldn't plug them in and go for a drive and come back hoping nothing happened. I have two charge bags but honestly I never use them. Usually keep a close look out on my batteries when charging and if any battery is puffy or looks like it might be damaged I get rid of it. I store mine in a $30 metal tool case from the tool store but I cycle them every four months so I get a look at them to make sure they're OK. Obviously the charging bag is a good safety precaution but I think most of the time when people blow up batteries is because they overcharged or charge to fast or had a damaged battery that should've been discarded
Do yourself a favor and start using the bags. As Roelof says it's not about the times it goes right it's about that one time that it goes wrong. It is absolutely possible for you and your charger to do everything correctly - it has happened where a branded good quality lipo has let go without any warning. I have been charging lipos week in week out for years and never had a problem however I still use those bags religiously.
Once a lipo starts to breakdown and combust there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. All you can do is try to contain it as best as you can and the first line of defense is that lipo bag.
You are absolutely correct that lipos should not be left charging unattended but PLEASE for your own (and the other around you) start using those bags. If it was an optional thing then why has every governing organization made the use of lipo charging sacks mandatory. In the U.K. if you get caught charging without a bag you'll get expelled from the event - no second chances.