AMA Safety Alert
 

I just got this today,hope it will help somebody.

EMERGENCY SAFETY ALERT

Lithium Battery Fires

Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power systems in our
models. This is true because of their very high energy density (amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to
NiCads or other batteries. With high energy comes increased risk in their use. The, principal, risk is
FIRE which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries. All vendors
of these batteries warn their customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their use.
In spite of this many fires have occurred as a result of the use of Lithium Polymer batteries, resulting
in loss of models, automobiles, and other property. Homes and garages and workshops have also
burned. A lithium battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator for
ancillary (resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact between Lithium and oxygen in the air. It does
not need any other source of ignition, or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively.

These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The following is
recommended:

1.Store, and charge, in a fireproof container; never in your model.

2.Charge in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch over the charging
process. Never leave the charging process unattended.

3.In the event of damage from crashes, etc, carefully remove to a safe place for at least a half
hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could erupt into flame, and, after sufficient time to
ensure safety, should be discarded in accordance with the instructions which came with the
batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage, regardless of how slight.

4.Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having a fixed setting for
your particular pack. Many fires occur in using selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set.
Never attempt to charge Lithium cells with a charger which is not, specifically, designed for
charging Lithium cells. Never use chargers designed for Nickel Cadmium batteries.

5.Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each cell in the pack.
Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the
batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging, and remove them to a safe
place outside as they could erupt into flames.

6.Most important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE
UNATTENDED OVERNIGHT. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.

7.Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.

These batteries CANNOT be handled and charged casually such as has been the practice for years
with other types of batteries. The consequence of this practice can be very serious resulting in major
property damage and/ or personal harm

Safety Committee
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5161 E Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

that was quite a bit of information I did not know. I was thinking of going to lithium batteries, but I think all of this changes my mind. I will prolly stick with NiCd batteries.

Thanks for the warning

Joe

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

check the AMA thread regarding this... I've got many lipo packs and am very happy with them! great performance, they just demand a little respect. most of the accidents have come from people doing dumb things, like either not realizing you need a specialized charger, or setting their charger at the wrong cell count. (very common actually!!) also, lithium ions are not the same as lithium polymer. ions are quite safe and common in rx packs. li poly are much newer, and have a quite a bit higher power/weight then li ion, and most importantly, have a much higher output rating. (some lipo's are at 20C output and rising!)

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

I personaly think the government must make them illegal to use or get a license for handling such an explosive bomb like battery!!!!!

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

Lithium batteries are NOT dangerous unless you are irresponsible with them. I have several Li-poly and Li-ion batteries and no injuries or loss of property has occurred. I must say, that whoever these accidents have happened to did not read the warnings that come with the batteries and the resulting damages were because of their own ignorance.

Kokamo, don't let that little bit of information turn you away from lithium batteries. They are great in comparison to NiCd's and are of no danger if you act responsibly.

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

Crazy, if the goverment makes them illegal then you can kiss your cell phone good bye.

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

There's a HUGE difference between Li-Poly and Li-Ion. Lithium Ion packs can indeed be dangerous, and they can actually blow up, or at least burn with an intense heat. Lithium Polymer batteries are MUCH less dangerous as there are no agents in the cell that can burn or off-gas explosive fumes. (At least according to every reliable resource I've ever read.)

Like Li-Ion, you can easily destroy Li-Poly cells by charging them too quickly, over charging them, or draining them too much.

Very many people, the AMA included obviously, are lumping all Lithium cells together, when truthfully the Li-poly's and Li-Ion are two completely different animals.
Dennis-

RE: AMA Safety Alert
 

Carolinacrasher, I did a little research on the Li-Po batteries today at the LHS and found that you indeed do have to have respect for the instructions/and or warnings of compatibility of chargers and charging techniques. I agree that charging batteries does require respect for safety of equipment, property, and personal injury. I think in the near future I may go to lithium batteries but as of now, just getting into RC aviation, my pockets aren't as deep as i'd like and I think I will have to learn my skills with good old fasion Ni-cd batteries. I guess they will do me good for now.

Hey rc_sport......you are right, we all would be SOL if they made Li-Po or Li-Ion illegal.........hu....no cell phones.....My day job would be toast!!!!!!

Later dudes

Joe