Actually having 2 power sources you can do both. If you connect in series two x 12V 40A power sources you end up with one 24 volt 40A power source.

IF you connect in parallel, you end up with one 12 V 80A power source:-)

Gerry

That's how I do it
I have two Iota 55's in series for 24v to power my power lab 8, but I have deans leads coming off one of the single supplies to give me 12v for my other chargers ..... works well just don't put on more than 55 amps to charge

How many 6S packs can I safely put in storage in a 50Cal Ammo cans?

Thanks,
Doug

Probably only one but who's going to do that...lol
I have one can with 4 x 6s 8000 mah that baby will go up like a roman candle

I think all you can do is keep them in a storage charge at home, keep them out of the house and shop if you can. (mine have been in my shop for years)
Check them from time to time for balance if there sitting for a few months.

My ammo cans are vented, lined with dynamat insulation foam to give the packs a soft ride and less chance of a short on the can
placed in lipo fire bags, I put them in a corner where there is a cement lip in my garage should contain the fire but the smoke damage will be a mess

next step is mini fridge in shed

Well, I used to have the ammo boxes on my bench. But then I decided to put them on the floor, about 2 feet away from the workbench. I understand that they actually do not "burn" per se. It is a chemical reaction, so most likely they do not need oxygen either for that. The smoke damage would be terrible, and I keep updated pictures of my shop in case the worst ever happens.

I have a small fridge under the work bench, but there is no room in there, it is packed with Pepsi and beer... I am guessing you meant to put the batteries inside the fridge... I would need another fridge then! I think the ammo can idea is the best. You do not want to store 40 packs together because if one goes....

Last year, I flew my Giant stick, and noticed a power loss towards the end of the flight, but it seemed normal, and I thought I had de-plenished the battery. So I landed. Took off the kill switch, and pushed the model close to my truck (standard procedure). Then, I took off the hatch (to remove the lipos), also standard procedure. While doing that I smelled a sweet smell, and realized one of the 2 packs (4+6 = 10) was really swollen. I removed the packs, one was OK, the other not. I left them overnight at the field. No fire, nothing. The following day I took both home and disposed of both. The one that "looked" OK was a bit warmer than normal when I started charging it, so off it went! Both were ending their second season...

Gerry

One caution from experience. I am using a metal box with a ceramic tile lining, which is probably not the best. The point is, I once closed the lid without noticing some battery leads were sticking out and managed to short, and ruin the battery. It happened very quickly.

Oh man, I did that once too.. it puffed within 15sec, but it also trashed a couple next to it.. ran outside and tossed the contents out quickly..

Today was purge day.. If it was puffed, it got discharged and tossed.. I didn't realize I had so many old batts laying round.. Its funny, the majority of them were 30C TP's and 30C Kokams.. go figure

An 1157 light bulb with both elements discharges between 1.5 and 2.5 amps depending on 2S, 3s, or 4S.. worked like a champ..

I posted this plan in the other LiPo fire thread.

Here is some useful information on Lipos which I think will help with understanding battery safety.



Informational page on all aspects of Lipo batteries.
http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html


The production process of Lithium-ion Polymer batteries.
http://youtu.be/6vBH6zlrXuM


Some burn testing of Lipos
http://youtu.be/VswaFOrVM6I

A good lipo fire container for sale here.

http://www.bluelight-tech.com/productsLiPoBunker.htm

LOL, all that is a 1/2 size stainless steel steam table pan with a lid. You can buy these all day at a food service equipment distributor in your town or order them from ebay for like $22 with the lid:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-each-STAIN...item27e1429854

Use this to clamp the lid:

http://www.paperclipsetc.com/Product...36807/p5059047

I was a little suspect of the food pan as well….

Here's what I ended up with. Its double walled, hopefully contain fire well if it happens. Smoke detector right next to it, and a small cutout for the wires to go in. I'm going to seal them with high temp RTV, hopefully starving any fire of O2. Not cheap, but how much is your house worth?

That's awesome Dave. Can I bring my Lipo's to your house to charge and store them?

Better than andy just get the steam and lid then just use a clamp or get a heavy weight.i agree good plan but you can do it on the cheap

Hey, in the spirit of helping: Bring (or send) me your lipos and I keep them, charge them, etc. at my place. Free of charge. All your 4000 and 5000 units. If with Anderson connector, better:-)

Gerry

For what I know It is a chemical fire, in other words a chemical reaction. Not sure the starvation will help you. I an not sure the smoke detector will be needed. The smell will give it away if you had a cell burning.

What worries me about my storage (in an ammo box) inside my shop, far from ignitable materials is that I have a bunch of batteries together, if one goes... So, I will get 2 more ammo boxes and reduce the count in each ammo box.

Gerry

Gerry, in another thread, someone mentioned they did testing and oxygen starvation was a factor. Thats the whole thing, we're just shooting in the dark here. I thought about having two gallon jugs of water above them in a catch basin to submerge them if there was a fire. Common sense says that might keep the rest of your house from burning down, evidently, lithium and water make the reaction greater… ughhhhh

5000 pounds of lithium batteries on flt370 according to this mornings news.

There are thousands of pounds in many flights daily I bet, and on ships, trucks and trains... Your point?

Gerry

Read this then you will see the point !!

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/d...dance-2014.pdf

Hi Gerry,

The point is they are not supposed to be on passenger planes, Would not that much make a really good fire. Much like what the man on the oil platform saw.

Can someone suggest why we never hear of battery powered drills and other tools catching on fire. Those tools are treated pretty rough by most of us.

thats a good ? sell phones and laptops as well

I think the Lithium-Polymer batteries that are popular with R/C equipment are more prone to fires that the Lithium-Ion batteries that are common in power tools.

not exactly, there are lots of tablets and others that use lithium polymer batteries