Hello All , I am new to the RC plane making. Currently I am learning , exploring and collecting the components to build RC plane. I got to know that Lipo batteries are not much safe to use and those may get burned or explode if not handled properly. Does anybody has such type of experience with these batteries ? How often it catches the fire ? I am bit anxious about using and storing the battery at home.
Help! Experience with Lipo batteries and their safety
- Thread starter Sunnyg
- Start date
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- Tags
- lipo safety
Foamforce
Elite member
That’s all we use, so we all have experience with them.
Yes, they have the potential to catch fire. I’ve heard that is most likely to happen during charging and discharging (use). The general advice is to never charge unattended so that if you see smoke, you can run the battery outside to a safe place. Also, charge in a non-flammable area with the battery inside a lipo bag or ammo can. Also, store the batteries at storage charge (3.8v/cell) in a lipo bag or ammo can. If a battery gets punctured or smooshed in a crash, or if it puffs up, get rid of it.
Yes, they have the potential to catch fire. I’ve heard that is most likely to happen during charging and discharging (use). The general advice is to never charge unattended so that if you see smoke, you can run the battery outside to a safe place. Also, charge in a non-flammable area with the battery inside a lipo bag or ammo can. Also, store the batteries at storage charge (3.8v/cell) in a lipo bag or ammo can. If a battery gets punctured or smooshed in a crash, or if it puffs up, get rid of it.
Thanks for your reply
Have you ever experienced such type of situation wherein the battery caught fire ?
Bricks
Master member
The ONLY Time it has happened to me is during a crash, while flying combat, and I have done some stupid things with these batteries, common sense goes way farther. When you consider there are millions of these batteries out there the probability is pretty darn low, I would bet money on 100ths of a percent.
Foamforce
Elite member
Only while making gratuitous mistakes. I accidentally shorted the leads on a small 500mah 2s lipo while changing the lead and there were lots of sparks. I got the leads apart quickly enough that there was no fire, but the battery and my wits were toasted.
Another time I had a very cheap ESC that was rated for only 2s and I forgot and used a 3s. A flame shout out the nose of the plane. It was impressive.
Also, I smashed a small 1s battery outside on concrete to see what would happen. Initially I just wound the leads together quickly, while wearing welding gloves. The wires heated up like a heating element and quickly melted like a fuse. So then I pummeled it with a shovel which resulted in brief flames and lots of smoke. It was impressive considering how small the battery was.
Short answer, I’ve never had an emergency fire with a lipo, but I’ve seen enough to treat them with great respect.
joelspangler
Active member
This is an excellent video explaining what would happen if your charger malfunctioned (or was set improperly) and overcharged your battery
Thanks.. it is very informative and cleared most of my doubts
Bricks
Master member
One other thing to keep in mind, I had purchased some batteries on sale they had the wrong connectors ( which I new ) Brain fart took my good side cutters to cut the ends off so I could replace them, cut both wires at the same time sparks flew and totally wrecked my side cutters. A little tid bit cut each wire individually save a few stressful heartbeats and a pare of side cutters.
