Love those new LiPo cells?

This guy left it unattended. Everything I've read says don't do that. It's going to happen. mk

And these were supposed to safer for us than NiCad/NiMhd?

Ken

As I told some others, LiPos should not be left unattended while on charge. Some modelers should not be left unattended with LiPos. :-)

It is well kown that the Astro 109 can misscount the number of cells causing a problem. And to sum it up, . :-)

In article ,

| check this out...I just received it from a local who sent it to | me..said his LiPo pack started smoking and he put it in the driveway | where it burst into flames.. | |

They then investigated the cause (for around 45 minutes) and came to the initial conclusion that it was a general electrical fire. I myself am almost certain it was from the LiPo pack exploding (for what reason, I do not know).

... i.e., he's not very convincing.

This appears to be based on 1) he was charging a LiPo pack, and 2) LiPo packs are known to cause fires, explode, cause cancer in labratory rats and support terrorism in the Middle East. Maybe he's right, maybe not.

Personally, I've only had one R/C related fire. And in my case, it was caused by NiCd cells, not LiPos. They were accidently shorted out, and the glowing wires set some paper on fire, which I promptly stamped out.

I've also had two cases of `hot steamers' where a NiCd battery would be damaged, shorting it internally and it would get so hot it starts steaming. No fire, but one was possible.

Ultimately, all of our batteries can start fires, not just LiPos.

Glow fuel can also burn, and yet many people think nothing of fueling up their plane while they're smoking a cigarette ...

In any event, this guy was quite lucky -- there's a plastic can of gasoline (looks like a gallon can) in his pictures. He's lucky the fire didn't melt it -- it would have been much much worse. I would not suggest keeping fuel in your garage, especially not in a plastic container!

Danged funny, Red! Thanks. I have not had a good day.

Ken

You hit the nail on the head. Had he been in the shop, he would have noticed something right away and could have done something about it, which then could have prevented the additional damage.

Even Nimads have to be watched. I bought a nimad battery pack and charger for my son. He left it charging while leaving the house. I noticed for some odd reason that it was charging at a amperage and longer than it should have been, (should have cut off) and the pack was noticeably hot.

When he came home, I told him not to leave these batteries unattended while charging.

Leaving those things unattended is not worth sacrifice to life, limb or property.

LiPos are known to be somewhat fragile and touchy; I wouldn't discount it so easily. After all, my kitchen or office desk haven't erupted in "general electrical fires" even though the ratsnests of wires and power strips give them every right to revolt spectacularly. OTOH, I haven't had a single problem with my LiPos. A few days ago, I found a small 700 mAH pack in my parka pocket, where it had been since last spring, being banged and bashed all winter by the assorted trash that was also in there. (A 12mm motorcycle engine mount bolt, among other less interesting stuff.) It charged just fine without incident.

IMHO, the problem is not that one will have many successful charges without incident with the batteries. The problem is that once one gets complacent with all the successes, they let their guard down. Then WHAMO! Disaster strikes.

If one takes the necessary precautions when handling them, should be able to have many safe flights. When one of the packs blows, be glad they're able to deal with the situation and minimise the damage caused.

Any way, my two yen.

Speaking of fires, I had a Fox .19 on a Jr. Nobler CL. Trying to start it in the patio in strong sunlight it popped (do glow engines back fire?) and I could see the orange Solar Film burning, then the balsa under it. Could not see a flame. I had read about alcohol fires and I just hit it with the rag used to stop the backwards running prop( I know) and it was out. I hope I've learned something in 3o years. :) mk

I had a similar incident when pitting C/L for a friend. That can burn the snockers out of you before you even know there is a fire.

Ed Cregger

Oh I love the smell of Castor oiled rubber strips..but the flight duration is limited.

Several racing drivers have burned to death in methanol fires before they knew they had a problem

Methanol is truly dangerous in that respect. Lipos are dangerous in different ways.

At least you don't have to flick the things over and adjust needle valves an inch away from a prop quite capable if taking a finger off..

The Natural Philosopher wrote in news:1142680274.3296.3 @lotis.uk.clara.net:

You know, I've been fooling around with glow engines and needle valves for

I still get nervous when I have an armed electric airplane nearby - if the Tx gets bumped, or whatever, the prop could suddenly start spinning. Never been cut that way, either, though (once again) I've found other ways.

As a matter of fact, yes, absolutely!! I wouldn't be in the hobby now if it weren't for them. Only been flying RC for a few years, all electric, never an incident, but always looking over my shoulder. Thanks to your link, after seeing the Battery Bunker @

The day you aren't nervous is the day one will get you.

I still after 38 years driving, get a feeling like someone is walking over my grave when I get in a car.

That feeling has kept me alive through some tricky situations..

Not any more! Bought six lipo's last year & three have already gone bad?? No power after 30 seconds of use & a full slow charge ! Never abused ,never over charged,never over discharged , never crashed ? Two bad one's were Thunder Power , one was a Hobby lobby Esky 800 that came with co co lama heli. I have three li pol chargers.

The good lipo's are Poly Quest & Kokam ,(so far) OLD GUY

This guy walked away from a charging LiPo pack?? AND it wasn't in some sort of fireproof container or outside while it was charging?? Every LiPo pack I've purchased has a big yellow or hot-pink piece of paper with a ton of do's and don'ts printed on it and each one says something to the effect of "...never charge unattended.."

Hard lesson learned...

"The OTHER Kevin in San Diego" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Such consumer items should be banned if they can't be left unattended. This is bullshit.

Ed Cregger

I really do feel for this guy's loss, but with all the horror stories about LiPos and fire/explosions, some extra care was warranted.