Over-Charging Lipo Batteries

[ocramocariza]

Hey Guys!

I know you're suppose to charge your Lipo batteries to no more than 4.2 V per cell (so for 3S, its 12.6 Volts), BUT is there a way to SAFELY charge a Lipo battery above this limit?

Thanks!

 

[earthsciteach]

I do not think there is a way to do it. And, I don't think it is a good idea.

 

[jetpackninja]

Explain what you are trying to accomplish.

Safely? not so sure
Yes, you could probably charge more 4.2 volts per cell without catching it on fire. But once you go much over that 4.2 the battery is damaged. It's not going to give you longer flight times if that's what you are after.

 

[Tritium]

The longevity of any chemical cell depends upon following certain guidelines established by the laws of physics and particular cell chemistry . Break the law and best case the cell will die VERY young. Worst case you have a fire and or explosion. Proceed at your own risk!!!! More than one person has lost their car in a fire due to improperly charging a LiPo in the car when flying on another battery.

Thurmond

 

[xuzme720]

I think maybe 80-90% of the lipo fires you see on youtube are people overcharging cells. You can count out the crashes that end in cell damage/rupture, but almost every other one is overcharging.

 

[Tritium]

I think maybe 80-90% of the lipo fires you see on youtube are people overcharging cells. You can count out the crashes that end in cell damage/rupture, but almost every other one is overcharging.

Yes and most people do not understand that the fumes from that fire contain hydrofluoric acid and can do permanent damage to you leading to death in the worst case.

Thurmond

 

[tramsgar]

Yes and most people do not understand that the fumes from that fire contain hydrofluoric acid and can do permanent damage to you leading to death in the worst case.Thurmond

Lipos also contain cobalt which is toxic (abut 20g will kill you) and is carcinogenic. (Lifepo batteries otoh do not.)

Spending some extra on a higher quality battery would make a lot more sense than overcharging.

 

[jetpackninja]

Lipo fires are real. We may get lulled into a sense of security because we have never had an incident. Be careful.A close friend was using a multiport charger, set his batts to charge and went off to dinner. Came back and the entire house smelled of toxic smoke, he charges in the basement, the AC kicked on and spread the fumes throughout the home. Insurance covered the cost of the hazmat cleanup but what a pain in the ass.

I've never had a charging fire but, I did have a battery puff on the charger and was very warm at our last swarm.

These two incidents have motivated me to move my charging setup out of doors. Even the garage present an unacceptable rish in my opinion.

 

[jetpackninja]

Check out these vids- you DON"T want this to happen in your house
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odxR1lkfiEI

Check out Lee's recommendation for a cinderblock with a ziplock bag of sand for a cover.
I doubt there is a more effective and affordable solution available.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNxLGDwGw-k

 

[ocramocariza]

Guys thanks for all the responses! I agree with all of you. I will definately not try to overcharge my LiPo!

 

[sixshooterstang]

We had a battery once that a cell went bad and somehow the other cells shot up to 5v! 5v per cell! Ended up throw it in a metal bin outside because the local battery store will not dispose of batteries they deem damaged (very smart of them)

 

[lonewolf7717]

TITLE: Over-charging Lipo Batteries
ANSWER: DON'T....just DON'T
(In my defense I have not read a single other post in this thread but quite certain others are singing the same tune)

 

[lonewolf7717]

http://youtu.be/yc8NTkUKJ8k

 

[xuzme720]

Talk about an expensive day at the field!

 

[rockets4kids]

That'll buff right out...

 

[sixshooterstang]

Its the ultimatum we all will come to... whats more important.... R/C or your car?!

 

[Craftydan]

Its the ultimatum we all will come to... whats more important.... R/C or your car?!

. . . I dunno . . . it's kinda an old crappy car . . .

 

[lonewolf7717]

Not sure about car, but as stated in another thread.....my crappy cpu didn't survive my obsession. I was in need of a new power station.

 

[jetpackninja]

http://youtu.be/yc8NTkUKJ8k

OK- yeah, that would suck. I have recently picked up a deep cycle marine battery for charging at the field.
I still haven't had a fire, but I did have a lipo recently puff on the charger, just got lucky that it reached a full charge and stopped before it burst. It was very hot and very swollen. I've moved my charging out of the engine compartment and onto the tailgate.

 

[colorex]

Talking about overcharging - the other day I put 2500mAh back in a 2200mAh 3S Turnigy LiPo.