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Author Topic: Torching LiPo's  (Read 1428 times)

Online Tim Wescott

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Torching LiPo's
« on: February 05, 2015, 12:05:12 PM »
Is there a way of reliably torching a LiPo battery just by diddling with it electrically?

This question isn't model aviation related -- I'm designing a product that's probably going to have a LiPo in it, and I want to test the case to see what happens when a fully charged LiPo is set off inside of it.  The information will be used, in no small part, to help us decide if we really want to have a LiPo in there.

I'm thinking along the lines of a toggle switch connected to the battery terminals with HEAVY wires -- flip the switch, and (hopefully) POOF!.
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Offline Dean Pappas

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Re: Torching LiPo's
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2015, 04:19:57 PM »
Hi Tim,
Either a dead short or a substantial over-voltage will do.
It took a while for the short to result in flames when I did it, but it was not high "C" pack.
I'm curious as to what some good cells will do!
Maybe you want an A123? I've contemplated the same issue for in-field instrumentation.
take care,
  Dean
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Offline William DeMauro

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Re: Torching LiPo's
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2015, 04:48:58 PM »
You might want to go through this thread on RC groups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719116. I think you will find many instances of lipo fires and many test cases where the lipos are deliberately flamed. You Tube should also give you plenty of info.
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Online Tim Wescott

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Re: Torching LiPo's
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2015, 10:16:44 PM »
After I hit enter on my original post I said "hey wait a minute!" and I revisited my reasons for not using a lead-acid battery.  Mostly, they were lame.

So I've decided to deal with the problem by putting a sealed lead-acid in there, and not worry about batteries that burst into flame.
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Offline Dean Pappas

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Re: Torching LiPo's
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2015, 01:00:00 PM »
Hi Tim,
Sure enough, the SLA has its place!
later,
  Dean
« Last Edit: February 08, 2015, 04:11:26 PM by Dean Pappas »
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Offline John Cralley

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Re: Torching LiPo's
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2015, 07:55:06 PM »
Tim, You might want to consider a A-123 type of lithium battery. lower voltage per cell but much safer and tolerates deep discharge.
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