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Lipo Batteries Exploding - has anyone ever experienced this? (+ what do you recommend)

Posted by Robert Godlewski on December 28, 2010 at 8:00pm

Hey guys -

As I'm waiting for my first real model airplane to arrive, the ProJet RQ-11 Raven from NitroPlanes, I can't help but ask, has anyone ever experienced a Lipo battery explode?

Here's a video of one doing just that:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3690260570423705609#

From what I read so far, it's pretty easy to overcharge/overdischarge Lipo batteries and they are very quick to explode if handled the wrong way. But what does this mean exactly? How can you "overdischarge" a battery? I thought that if you fly the plane and it suddenly turns off, wouldn't that shut off prevent it from discharging any more battery?

Also, as I'm a newbie, how do you guys charge your batteries? Do you use one of those chargers with the screen and buttons for controlling the charge or do you just simply connect it to an AC adaptor? Sorry if I'm being too much of a noob but I thought that these airplane batteries are charged just like the Lipos in iPhones, am I wrong?

Thanks in advance!

batteries, battery, charger, chargers

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Comments

Developer

Jason Short December 28, 2010 at 9:10pm

Buy a fiberglass bag and NEVER charge them while away. It's really not that bad.
Duane Brocious December 28, 2010 at 9:02pm

Its not that common but better safe than sorry.
John Hestness December 28, 2010 at 8:58pm

Phones use lithium ion, planes use lithium polymer.
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson December 28, 2010 at 8:57pm

Most of those LiPo problems were a while ago. In recent years, LiPos and chargers have become very reliable. I've worked with hundreds of them and never had a problem.
John Hestness December 28, 2010 at 8:56pm

If you read the warnings and follow the instructions you will be OK. I would summarize like this: dont charge at a rate higher than the battery is designed for. You should probably know the difference between a volt, an amp, and a watt. And the difference between an amp and a milliamp. And if you like you can use added safety devices like charging bags or only charge in the middle of an empty garage floor. Also don't cut, smash, nail, impale, or drill your batteries.
Robert Godlewski December 28, 2010 at 8:54pm

I probably should have thought about this before I ordered the plane... never imagined that this could be so dangerous.
Duane Brocious December 28, 2010 at 8:40pm

Put the battery inside a welder's glove while charging and/or in a fire proof area like the middle of an empy garage or basement floor.
3D Robotics

Chris Anderson December 28, 2010 at 8:34pm

You use special LiPo chargers like this one, with this power supply