coolbean

I've read up on some peoples solution to safely charging lipos and came up with this using sand and a vase I bought at Wall-Mart for $10. The vase is REALLY heavy. The glass on the bottom is about and inch and a half thick. The walls are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. The footprint is square and from the side it is kind of hour glass shaped. I filled the vase about 1/3 the way full with sand. Made a small chamber out of cardboard just big enough to slip my lipo pack in and filled the vase up with sand even with the top of the chamber, about 2/3 full. Then I filled a ziplock bag full of sand to place on top of it.

Does this sound like it would be a safe way to charge lipos or do I need to order (LHS doesn't carry them) one of thoose ceramic battery bunkers?

I'll try to get a picture but in the meantime here is a drawing.

JNorton

My Feedback: (2)

Why not? You just want something that doesn't burn. You could think about using an old pressure cooker and feed the wires thru where the pressure release normally sets. Other people charge them in an old Grill. A clay flower pot with an clay extra drain pan for a lid work well too.
John

coolbean

Reading that I just realized that I gave away a small 8 inch round grill last year when I upgraded to a big webber grill.. That would have been perfect. Although others have expressed a concern about charging in metal containers as it just provides one more opportunity for the pack to get shorted.

JNorton

My Feedback: (2)

So put in some rocks or a clay drain pan from the garden shop! Cheap
John

toywizard

Just an FYI -----from another thread,---this is what I did.

I am new to Li-Po charging but so far for what I have learned here is ya gotta be carefull.
Useing a Pro Peak Quattro charger by Ripmax. Also have a Super Brain 969 but have only done NIMH and Nicad with it.

I setup a Wally World strong box (fire box safe). Its like 8"x12" +/- 2".

I mounted a positive and negitive banana plug setup through the case and mounted a cooking thermometer 60°170° probe through the case also so I can monitor the temp inside.

I hot glued a chunk of aluminum approx 1"thick x 2"x4" to set the battery on for charging to draw heat out.

I split the leads going into the safe box so I can monitor the voltage via. digital meter.
I can either leave the safe box open while charging or close and lock it.

I did a test run and charged a 2 cell pack..........closed it up...this is in my workshop that is woodstove heated......runs around 85°-
92° most of the time. Its around 800 sq ft. (trying to heat the rest of the house at 68Â*° and doing it).

It ran flawlessly! Did not increase more than 5° over the whole charge. I know some have said I should charge Li-Poly out side and I can if I need to but this setup seems to be quite safe to me.
Oh, the safe box is setting on a chunk of 1/2" aluminum also.

Any thoughts? Pro or Con ?

Been charging Nicad and NIMH for at least 5 years now. Li-Poly make me nervouse but I call that "respect" like ya gotta respect the chain saw.

I like your sand setup but I think my "fire safe" is simpler. not safer but simpler

toywizard

Just an FYI -----from another thread,---this is what I did.

I am new to Li-Po charging but so far for what I have learned here is ya gotta be carefull.
Useing a Pro Peak Quattro charger by Ripmax. Also have a Super Brain 969 but have only done NIMH and Nicad with it.

I setup a Wally World strong box (fire box safe). Its like 8"x12" +/- 2".

I mounted a positive and negitive banana plug setup through the case and mounted a cooking thermometer 60°170° probe through the case also so I can monitor the temp inside.

I hot glued a chunk of aluminum approx 1"thick x 2"x4" to set the battery on for charging to draw heat out.

I split the leads going into the safe box so I can monitor the voltage via. digital meter.
I can either leave the safe box open while charging or close and lock it.

I did a test run and charged a 2 cell pack..........closed it up...this is in my workshop that is woodstove heated......runs around 85°-
92° most of the time. Its around 800 sq ft. (trying to heat the rest of the house at 68Â*° and doing it).

It ran flawlessly! Did not increase more than 5° over the whole charge. I know some have said I should charge Li-Poly out side and I can if I need to but this setup seems to be quite safe to me.
Oh, the safe box is setting on a chunk of 1/2" aluminum also.

Any thoughts? Pro or Con ?

Been charging Nicad and NIMH for at least 5 years now. Li-Poly make me nervouse but I call that "respect" like ya gotta respect the chain saw.

I like your sand setup but I think my "fire safe" is simpler. not safer but simpler