VaFlyer

I've read many places that Lipo's can be dangerous to fires/explosions for various reasons. My question is, has anyone experienced fires/explosions on the small 150-200mah Lipos that are in the small airplanes like the Champ, etc?

rgburrill

I had a small helicopter with one of these. After a few years the battery got very soft, squishy and started getting "fat". I used it a few times after it started doing that and it would get very hot. I disposed of it at a hobby store before it exploded.

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

Any of them can short and burn. Even cell phones occasionally short and burn. As long as you store them correctly it wont be a major issue. Keep them in an old ammo can or a metal toolbox and any damage would be contained. I also charge mine in a lipo sack to be safe.

David

https://www.towerhobbies.com/product...CABEgLX7_D_BwE

VaFlyer

Thanks for your advise. But I think I'm going to minimize the danger by flying small umx planes only. Given my age, I don't want to have a charger program error & have a lipo catch fire. Certainly won't be as much fun but it will be safer & still allow me to enljoy the hobby.

VaFlyer

Well, I found someone who knew alot about lipos and thankfully he has convinced me to keep using lipos. I was ready to call it quits or at the very least only fly planes with small lipos but he schooled me on the how-to's, dangers, etc. After speaking with this guy who manages a local hobby store, I no longer have any fears of lipos as long as I charge/discharge and store my lipos correctly.
I have since bought some Spektrum smart-batteries and a Spektrum battery checker and charge my lipos w/o any fear. I'm also not going to use lipo bags or ammo boxes for storage. I don't want to sound over-confident for I know there are dangers, but I just needed someone to explain the proper care for lipos.

I think I had watched too many fire & explosion videos on youtube and couldn't understand why these batteries even existed. I also spoke with many that are using lipos and most all talked more about the dangers than of the benefit. So, the end result is I'm thankful to this kind fellow for helping me stay in the hobby.

Thank you again, Charles. You have a customer for life.

Bob