Lipo HELP Hazard

penguin · #1 07-05-2006, 12:14 AM

I’m so nervous right now. I had a blade runner RC helicopter lipo battery that I was attaching to my MT. I was cleaning some glue around it and accidentally pocked a HOLE IN THE BATTERY!!!. Its like half a mm in diamiter. I have read some horror stories about explosions and stuff after like 30 min of people doing so. Mine is still fine after 3 hours. However, I don’t know what to do. The battery itself is very fragile and soft. The only shell it has is a "pop can soft aluminum" material". I am afraid to recharge it but I have used it for like 4 min for motors(before I know what happened). What should I do??? The puncture is on the very edge of the battery and its only on one side. Should I continue to use it or throw it away immediately???!!! Right now its outside of my house. If this is very off topic I apologize but I do not know any other electric gurus other that on this site.

Thanks

#2 07-05-2006, 11:41 PM

I'm not familiar enough with lipos, but from what I do know, the ones in the foil are solid electrolytes. I don't think you have to worry about acid or anything coming out.

I'd only be worried about charging it. Take it out on gravel or in grass and charge it there. Lithium will burn very hot should it choose to go that way.

For now, I would seal it up with some epoxy. Run it around outside to see if it works. I think you might be ok from you description, but always better to be safe.

penguin · #3 07-06-2006, 12:13 AM

Thanks a lot,

I charged it outside and nothing happened. I covered the little hole with a thin layer of hot glue. Its cool now and thanks for your advise.

Azimov · #4 07-07-2006, 11:29 PM

I think you should be fine. I don't know that much about punctures causing explosions in Lipos. As Jazz said, charging is usually the issue. Since you've sealed it and tested it, I wouldn't worry.
Actually, if you've read in forums that it will explode from punctures, and you have no problems with yours after running it for awhile, then you've disproven a myth. Mythbuster dude!

penguin · #5 07-08-2006, 12:54 AM

No its not a myth at all!!! The reason mine did not explode, I think was because the puncture was not in the middle of the cell or anywhere like that, so I did not disturb anything except for the soft aluminum like shell. It’s a good thing that I pierced the very edge and did not disturb what’s inside. I got very, very and I repeat very lucky. Do NOT EVER think that piercing a lipo and it exploding violently is a myth, its definitely not. This is serious business and I STRONGLY suggest to anybody who is reading this post, to not EVER put the li-polymer cell under any risk. For those of you who are not familiar with the li-polymer battery horror stories please research and it will make you more aware. Here is one: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/archi.../t-419774.htmlThis story is about the exact battery that I punctured. Personally,I had no idea that this battery can be so dangerous, so I did not take precautions.

My experience definitely opened my eyes. I WAS FREAKING OUT as you can tell by reading my first post!!! I actually sprinted outside just so I can put this battery far, far away from my house. But its all good now so I can calmly go on with my projects.