Li-Po battery ban
09-29-2017, 02:36 PM
#1
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Li-Po battery ban
Hi People.
I was one of the first to fly performance electrics at my club and am a great believer in this technology, but lately I have noticed that there is major swing back to nitro powered models and I went to find out why. Well it seems that it is becoming more difficult than ever to get LiPo batteries into New Zealand due to a freight ban after the flight MH13 disaster (for which LiPos have been listed as a possible cause...)
It seems that modellers now don't want to spend their hard earned cash on a technology that soon may become impossible to get... as a case in point, I went to buy some batteries online and the order went through as it should, only to get an email later saying that they do not ship lipo batteries to New Zealand as there is a freight ban on these dangerous products...is this new trend happening to other countries as well, and is there perhaps anyway around this problem as it could mark the end of viable electric flight?
Many thanks and kindest regards
Rinkhals.
I was one of the first to fly performance electrics at my club and am a great believer in this technology, but lately I have noticed that there is major swing back to nitro powered models and I went to find out why. Well it seems that it is becoming more difficult than ever to get LiPo batteries into New Zealand due to a freight ban after the flight MH13 disaster (for which LiPos have been listed as a possible cause...)
It seems that modellers now don't want to spend their hard earned cash on a technology that soon may become impossible to get... as a case in point, I went to buy some batteries online and the order went through as it should, only to get an email later saying that they do not ship lipo batteries to New Zealand as there is a freight ban on these dangerous products...is this new trend happening to other countries as well, and is there perhaps anyway around this problem as it could mark the end of viable electric flight?
Many thanks and kindest regards
Rinkhals.
03-07-2018, 05:54 AM
#7
Here is one of the reasons for the band on LiPo batteries on shipping. I used to fly freight and know of the horror this would be. We used to carry HazMat with long words that we couldn't even pronounce. On board fire is a flight crew's worse nightmare. The general public never hears much about freighters that crash, due to it doesn't kill enough people.
03-07-2018, 11:14 AM
#8
Years ago a freighter crashed in Florida swamps with SKIDS of LIPOS on board.
You are right. People are cheap compared to money being made per flight. Very sad...... Be just like the days of Robber Barrons running the country.
You are right. People are cheap compared to money being made per flight. Very sad...... Be just like the days of Robber Barrons running the country.
03-07-2018, 12:34 PM
#9
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Good grief man, get your facts straight
The Florida everglades Valujet crash was due to transporting oxygen generators that were out of date and not properly packed for transport, not batteries.
Also, I believe that the 747 freighter at Dubai was due to a large shipment of Lithium primary batteries, not rechargeable lipos.
Fortunately, shipping large quantities of lipo from China to the US by container is more cost effective and safer by container ship. That's why distributors, like Value Hobby are out of stock on some batteries for a while, till the next delivery gets through customs.
Pete
The Florida everglades Valujet crash was due to transporting oxygen generators that were out of date and not properly packed for transport, not batteries.
Also, I believe that the 747 freighter at Dubai was due to a large shipment of Lithium primary batteries, not rechargeable lipos.
Fortunately, shipping large quantities of lipo from China to the US by container is more cost effective and safer by container ship. That's why distributors, like Value Hobby are out of stock on some batteries for a while, till the next delivery gets through customs.
Pete
04-07-2018, 01:10 PM
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Batteries are dangerous. Recently heard of an electric car ( full size ) that crashed & the battery burst into flames. Took 5 fire engines & 35 fire fighters to put it out. They would put it out & then it would flame up again & again. . It then had to set in quarantine for 48 hrs. Can't imagine the horror of that happening on a cargo plane.
