LiPo mistake - whats YOUR plan? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 02:48:37 pm
content: So I had a near disaster with a LiPo, shorting it out through a power analyser. Total lack of drama but it was close., very close.I thought I'd provoke education by asking people:"What's you plan for if/when you screw up with a LiPo/LIon and fire and brimstone might be inevitable?"You gotta have one... or several.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 02:58:08 pm
content: Whenever I experiment or prototype charging or discharging Lithium cells I have the cell(s) on a piece of cement fibre board. And an E-stop button for the supply. And my running shoes.BT

author: buck converter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:01:50 pm
content: Well i always have a lipo bag and there is plenty of snow outside right now

author: NiaDebesis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: buck converter on December 17, 2017, 03:01:50 pmYup, is absolutely necessary for safety reason to have a lipo bag when using liposInviato dal mio SM-G920F utilizzando Tapatalk

author: JanJansen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:15:20 pm
content: The lipo bag is only to prevent flying batteries, not to prevent fire.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:22:35 pm
content: I charge packs on a metal baking sheet in a room with a tile floor. I've got an aluminum cake lid handy if something needs to be covered.

author: NiaDebesis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:26:48 pm
content: Quote from: JanJansen on December 17, 2017, 03:15:20 pmIf the lipo catch in fire, the bag will keep it in a security eviroment, so the fire doesn't spread upInviato dal mio SM-G920F utilizzando Tapatalk

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:30:48 pm
content: The problem is that cheap lipo bags often don't contain the problem at all.I have a solid steel cooking pot nearby. That should contain the problem. Maybe I could add some dry sand in the pot and tiles outside of it to make sure the problem stays contained.Just be sure not to use an aluminium pot.

author: NiaDebesis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 03:38:31 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on December 17, 2017, 03:30:48 pmThe best way to keep a safety enviroment around a charging lipo is to take off all the flamable object around it(or to charge it outside), all the thing that are made of synthetic materials, especially clothes and other object that you have around your home that can be flamableLipos aren't the worst thing in the world, but the need to be treated in the right way and to be charged with good chargersInviato dal mio SM-G920F utilizzando Tapatalk

author: JanJansen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 05:21:09 pm
content: Thats is what i mean, those cheap ones will burn,for the expensive ones you dont wanto try to find out.Its saver to say they dont prevent fire, instead of thinking the fire will stay inside.Besides you should always keep eye on the lipo charging,before it goes wrong you will see the lipo swelling, or smelling maybe a bit smoke,you wont see that before it goes totally wrong inside a lipo bag,i better charge when i can see them, or am i wrong ?

author: NiaDebesis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 06:06:29 pm
content: Quote from: JanJansen on December 17, 2017, 05:21:09 pmYes you are right, you have to check always lipos during the charging, better if you use some precautions like I listed beforeInviato dal mio SM-G920F utilizzando Tapatalk

author: grifftech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 05:48:02 pm
content: just use NI-MH

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 05:50:51 pm
content: Quote from: grifftech on December 18, 2017, 05:48:02 pmThis is what I do for anything I construct. Safety first as I can’t handle a big fire on my hands reliably

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 06:01:42 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on December 18, 2017, 05:50:51 pmLiFePO4is an option. It's just a bit less energy dense, yet much more abuse resistant and will also survive a lot more charging cycles. I think the military likes it for this reason.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 06:22:58 pm
content: Quote from: grifftech on December 18, 2017, 05:48:02 pmReally? NIMH aren't even on the same pitch as LiPos in terms of power output and energy density and they are a nightmare to charge properly.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 06:24:40 pm
content: DS2715 + shrug.

author: JanJansen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 02:00:45 pm
content: By the way, if some lipo busts in your house, even with lipo bag,you will have to repaint your house because of a black layer on all your stuff, very bad.It is even more problematic with hobbyists like us with a lot of small garbage in the house.