SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

Hey Guys, can someone advise me on this...I have a couple li-po batteries new but unused since Jan and I noticed today the are slightly swollen...are they garbage? The (3 cell) voltage is 12.2 volts. What causes a battery to swell aside from over discharge?

Thanks
Tom

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

Heat is the most likely culprit.

Where were they stored?

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

room temperature in the kitchen with a whole bunch of other batteries...Does storing fully charged cause this? I've stored li-po's fully charged before and never had any issues.

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

I guess I want to know if any swelling of any kind is unacceptable...I don't mind tossing them instead of burning down my house but the swelling is slight but enough that I noticed. It would suck to throw away unused 'new' batteries...anyone have info?

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

To me, it's good so long as it flys the heli and doesn't explode. I thought if something can blow up by itself just sitting in your garage they simply shouldn't be selling them.

Clement

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

your storage voltage for that lipo should be something closer to 11.4v or so, so you probably stored it with too much juice in it.

I've heard anywhere from 3.7 to 3.85v per cell is where you want to store your lipo packs

cycle them in a place where if they catch on fire or explode it wont be a problem, and do a 1/2c charge and a 2c discharge for something like 3 to 5 cycles. If it's still looking good at that point you could probably use them, but of course it's at your own risk. GL =)

RE: SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN BRAND NEW LI-PO'S AFTER LONG STORAGE, NO GOOD?
 

Thanks for the replies.

Well it turns I out I stored them batteries and screwed them at the same time.

I spoke with a Thunder Power guy and he said the storage voltage should be 3.8-3.9 volts a cell or approx 50% charge. Storing at 100% is what caused the batteries to swell. He also went on to say any swelling is no good and there a risk of fire at that point.

Lesson learned...I was too busy running my monster trucks to pay attention...:(