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How to dispose of Lipo batteries

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Old 11-26-2008, 09:31 PM
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kbailey45
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Default How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I received a battery and found it to have a bad cell. They are sending me another but I have never had to dispose of a Lipo battery. How do I need to go about disposing of this thing properly. Im sure some people just chunk them in the trash but I dont want to be responsible for burning down the dump.
Old 11-26-2008, 09:42 PM
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yamahatech
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I was told to drain them completely with a light bulb or something slowly overnight then trash em. Dont know if its right but I did it. So far no fire on the news at the dump.
Old 11-26-2008, 10:07 PM
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I'd suggest you call the company from which you bought the battery, and ask them what they suggest. (un)Learned opinions abound here!
Old 11-26-2008, 10:18 PM
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Druss
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

The proper way to dispose of them is to discharge as much as possible then soak in a salt saturated solution for 48 hours then throw them away.

Here is a link to Thunder Power's disposal method. They say 2 weeks submersion but that's longer than needed imo.

http://thunderpowerrc.com/PDF/DISPOS...-BATTERIES.pdf
Old 11-27-2008, 12:44 AM
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kbailey45
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I read on here that Radio Shack will dispose them for free is that true?
Old 11-27-2008, 07:57 AM
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airbusdrvr
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

Do you know what the inside of lipo looks like? Just for grins, once before discarding a dead lipo, I disassembled one of the cells. Interesting.
Old 11-27-2008, 09:37 AM
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kbailey45
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I would rather not mess with it just want to get it disposed.
Old 11-27-2008, 11:35 AM
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Deadeye
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries


ORIGINAL: airbusdrvr

Do you know what the inside of lipo looks like? Just for grins, once before discarding a dead lipo, I disassembled one of the cells. Interesting.
It's like a long roll of film with plastic seperators. Smells like Jack Daniels.
Old 11-28-2008, 12:03 AM
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scooty
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

Drive a nail through the beast to be sure you've completely killed it, watch out for the sparks!!!
Old 11-28-2008, 02:07 AM
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Dorsal
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

Well, didn't I warn you - - "(un)Learned opinions abound here! " ?
Old 11-28-2008, 06:35 PM
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kid chuckles
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

We use the extra juice we drain from them as an herbal tea. Very Herbal.
Old 11-28-2008, 08:18 PM
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jrm82266
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

The following is what I have used to discharge and dispose of bad/damaged lipo packs. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD IF YOUR PACK IS EXTREMELY SWOLLEN OR HOT!!!!! Mix up a gallon of water with approximately a 1/2 cup of salt, the salt will increase the conductivity of the water. Peel the plastic coveing off of the pack (not the silver foil on the cell(s) just the plastic covering used to hold the cells together) Have the bucket of saltwater next to you and drive a small screwdriver through the center of the pack then immediately remove the screwdriver and throw the pack into the salt water. Make sure you pierce all of the cells. You'll see some bubbling in the water from the hole in the pack for about 16 hours. One of my packs bubbled for over 24hrs but again the important thing to note is that the bubbling has stopped. Nonetheless when the bubbling stops the pack should be entirely discharged however I'd leave it in for another day and then it can be safely tossed in the trash. I prefer to discard of them at a reclamation center but they are ok for the trash after that. If the pack is hot or extremely swollen just go ahead and toss it in the saltwater but it will take quite a bit longer to discharge. I'd leave an un-pierced pack in for at least a week

Don't worry, you're not handling a nuke or a bomb [X(]but just to be safe make sure you wear gloves and eye protection[sm=shades_smile.gif] throughout the process.
Old 11-29-2008, 02:39 AM
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kbailey45
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Default RE: How to dispose of Lipo batteries

I called Radio Shack and they said to just bring it to them and they will take care of it no charge.

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