HelisRule
Posts: 209
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Winslow,
ME, USA
Status: offline
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Mike,
When I first got my LiPo I had read all the same horror stories that you've probably read. So I put the battery in a metal container, had my GP thermal probe on it and sat right there in my basement workshop next to the workbench, with a fire extinguisher on the floor next to me. While it was charging I worked on the heli or read the forums on my laptop to pass the time. I checked the temperature of the battery about every 10 minutes and it never gained a degree (in fact, sometimes it dropped depending on ambient temp). I also picked the battery up and looked it over several times during the charge to look for any sign of swelling - nada. The charge went fine, finished fine with no problems. I've charged it several times since then, and while I am much more relaxed about it, the only thing I've changed about the process is that I no longer put it in a metal container, but I am right there throughout the charge and I still check the temp occasionally. I also still have the fire extinguisher handy, and numerous metal containers are around that I could toss over it, but I'd more than likely use the fire extinguisher first.
I have a sheet of masonite on the top of my 4'x8' workbench that I could easily replace after a catastrophic LiPo failure. I doubt the LiPo fire would burn through that before I got it out, but if that was a danger I could push it onto the basement floor pretty quickly. Even if the workbench caught fire, it is not near any other combustibles. The workbench is also not situated between me and two exits, one up into the house and the other up to my garage, so escape would be easy if required. Now obviously, if these things explode like a bomb when they go off, I would be in peril sitting right next to it, but it's my understanding from videos I've seen that they do not explode like a bomb, but burst like an overcooked marshmallow and catch fire rapidly. That makes escaping injury a little easier. I'm sure the fumes are not good to breathe when these things burn, which is another reason my first reaction would likely be to hit it with the fire extinguisher. That would hopefully put the fire out and at least blow the fumes away from me initially. After the fire is put out, I have 5 windows and a door that I could open to air the place out, and I could employ some fans to expedite the process. My biggest concerns would be damage to the charger and peripheral equipment, but everything is replaceable; except me! 
Sorry for the long post, but, you asked. 
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~ HelisRule
- Fly safely - Land softly -
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How do you charge your LiPo batteries? - 
