I am new to e-flight and want to get li-poly for the 3DX project.
Are they safe? Can the folks that have them comment please?
Also, what would you recommend to enhance safety?

Wow, that's a loaded question!

They can be used safely but always have the potential for danger...especially when charging them.

I use dedicated Lithium chargers like the Kokam LIPO-402 charger that requires the user to set voltage and current levels via jumpers.

Charging the pack in a pyrex (glass) or similar container helps safety.

The new Kokam "Safety Guard" helps safety.

So far, nothing really eliminates the hazzard potential but mearly reduces it.

There is a lot of good safety information on LI-POLY batteries at www.ezonemag.com.The information on this site is about all brands
of batteries and chargers.

Fred

Just a quick note about these batteries. NEVER charge above 1C and NEVER charge them in an airplane. They are as safe as anything else high performance when the proper precautions are taken and the correct charging process is carried out, but just like a spinning prop, they *can* be hazardous. Study these batteries thoughly before use. With all the automatic chargers out there for the old NiCd's and NiMh's I think people have become complacent...this is what causes more disasters than anything else. Do not assume that everything will be allright...make SURE it is and you won't have issues. I don't wanna come off sounding harsh...that is not intended...just stressing the importance of these things because I do care. Hope this is the way this post comes accross.

No, they are not.