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#1
03-03-2014
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Lipo storage at home
Last week at the track something happened that freaked me out a little, a lipo went up in flames quite violently and I have to say the lipo bag didn't survive too well. It burnt through it and made a huge hole on the carpet!
This got me thinking of how I store lipos, just in bags. I was thinking of getting a metal box for them as well as the lipo bags. Do any of you do this? Was thinking of getting an cheap ammo box from Ebay. 50Cal ammo boxes look plenty big and don’t seem to cost much. Thoughts? Ideas? 
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#2
03-03-2014
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I may be wrong - but I thought lipo's were only at risk of going up while either charging or discharging? I thought that while in a static state and not connected there was no chance of them going pop?
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#3
03-03-2014
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If your worried, then its not a bad idea. Although i would look for something less conductive!
Batteries that are well looked after don't spontaneously combust, so just make sure the wires and connectors are in good condition, and check there is no risk of accidental shorting or damage and your most of the way there. Most electrical fires in RC come from bad wiring or damage. So regularly inspecting your gear for any issues and dispose of any cells which show signs of damage or that you are not happy with. (most council tips will take damaged cells off your hands)
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#4
03-03-2014
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I have personally constructed a large 5metre wide by 10 metre deep pool of water in my spare room, covered by a light fabic attached to a pully system. I rest the lipos on the fabric, if theres a fire the fabric will burn quickly dropping the lipos into the pool of water and the pully system will cover it over with a 1 foot thick metal cover.
I will then run for cover in my underground bunker for 3months, eating baked beans from tins, assuming the lipos have burnt the entire earths surface. The above may or may not be the true.  seriously, if you're worried, check the batteries for any swelling, if they feel a little 'puffy' get rid and buy some new ones. Keep them stored at a storage charge and in a bag, unless they're damaged in the first place you'll be fine.
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#5
03-03-2014
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I don't think its a bad idea to be cautious. I also witness the fire and it was bloody dramatic.
The LIPO bag, at best, lasted 5 seconds which was long enough for somebody brave to grab it and throw it. The rate at which LIPOs burn is pretty scary and there is little benefit in a fire extinguisher/sand bucket to hand since the damage will be done in the first few seconds. I don't exactly know why the LIPo on friday caught fire but my understanding was that it puffed up during charging so was disconnected and placed in a safe bag to cool. 30 seconds later big flames. I suppose the safest storage solution is to store them in the pouch and then place that in a metal box. There is a clip on youtube about somebody testing an old cash box: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6M5ftkN9PtY
__________________
www.wbmcc.com
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#7
03-03-2014
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Biscuit tin,
__________________
BUDS BALLS
BIG AN SAGGY E REVO BAJA,SS TS REED All The Gear,and No Idea!! 4PKS,4PL PILLOW CASE CREW http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29834
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#8
03-03-2014
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Quote.."I may be wrong - but I thought lipo's were only at risk of going up while either charging or discharging? I thought that while in a static state and not connected there was no chance of them going pop?...."
No you are correct..! Lipos only explode if something goes wrong during use...usually overcharging or over discharging....slight chance during a major accident if the cell case gets broken... Just think how model shops store hundreds of cells....in the cardboard box on open shelves..!!
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#9
03-03-2014
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Yes, if you are concerned then putting the LiPos in your pouch in a steel box to reduce the effect of a fire is useful.
Let's be clear - a LiPo can go up at any time irrespective of its state. Charge, discharge, storage. Research papers conclude that the major reason for this is faults during manufacturing that cannot be eliminated because of the many variables in use of chemicals during the manufacture of this type of battery. Another reason is the growth of things called dendrites that occurs during use of a LiPo, and more likely during abuse of a LiPo. Overcharge of a lithium-ion cell can cause significant degradation of both anode and cathode. On the anode, overcharge can cause plating. Plated lithium forms dendrites (hard crystals) that can grow over time and then cause internal shorting. The plastics separating the anode and cathode are about 0,030mm thick, or about 0.001" - 1/3 the thickness of a human hair. Anything that penetrates these separators causes an internal short. Sometimes that short melts the plastic and seals it off. That is usually accompanied by some puffing as gasses are released. Sometimes the puffing is a prelude to a short. When a cell is on charge or discharge, the cell has a source of energy. If something happens that causes a short then during charge or discharge, the charger provides additional energy to the problem. The charger feeds the short, and the discharger keeps taking energy out so also feeding the short. These are the most likely times for a problem. The least likely time is during storage at the recommended storage voltage. Do not be scared of LiPos. Problems have arisen when chargers are incorrectly set, or people deliberately set out to ignore instructions and advice by charging above the 4.2v/cell limit, or discharging below about 3.2v/cell. This is to be expected - ignore advice and you increase risk. Use a sack properly - push the cell to the bottom of the sack, fully fold and seal the lid and avoid the 'boxes' as they have too many gaps for the fire to get out. Don't overcharge, don't over-discharge and store between 5 and 25 degC. If you feel better about having your stored LiPos in a sack in a metal tin then that's good planning. HTH 
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#11
04-03-2014
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I've recently bought an ammo box for this reason. They fit inside nicely while still in their lipo bag. They should be safe during storage, but for £7 from a local antiques market it seemed like a good investment.
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#12
04-03-2014
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How should one dispose of a lipo?
I have one I accidentally charged at 3S instead of 2S and I spotted my mistake - but the lipo swelled - tried discharging it - but charger didn't want to know. Just shows - user error can cause problems..... Need to get rid as I feel like its just waiting to go pop.
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#14
04-03-2014
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If you have a dodgy lipo.
Fully Discharge it first then put into bucket of salty water for few days. As long as there is no volatge left at all it is safe to put into normal waste bin.
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#15
06-03-2014
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Don't laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, mp3 players mostly use lithium cells now? No one is concerned about these spontaneously igniting. Maybe you need a bigger ammo box!
__________________
Team C TC02c - My son breaks it, I fix it.
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#16
06-03-2014
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Quote:
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#17
06-03-2014
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Quote:
I take mine to the local recycling centre - they just get placed with other batteries (mainly 1:1 car ones) in and open area away from combustible materials. I've sent a few soft packs there over the winter, and last night noticed a couple of hard case packs have swollen whilst in storage (not used for ca 4 months), so they will be going too asap
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#19
06-03-2014
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Couple of points from me.
1/ if you put them in an ammo box make sure the box can vent. 2/ if all your Lipo are in one box and one does fail, your going to have one impressive chain reaction.
__________________
MBModels - Schumacher Racing - Vapextech.co.uk - MRT - Savox - SMD
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#20
06-03-2014
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Quote:
Is that meant to soundlike it was not being charged in a pouch, then when it puffed it was put in a pouc I was told by the owner was a charger issue.
__________________
MBModels - Schumacher Racing - Vapextech.co.uk - MRT - Savox - SMD
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