Need a Battery safety guide

[HeavyMendez]

Hi guys I got my UKARA a few days ago and I am itching to buy my first RIF ( hopefully an MP5 ) but I am concerned as I know very little regarding battery safety. I do not want to buy cheap batteries or a crap charger. I live in a 2 bedroom flat and do not fancy setting the place on fire. I have seen a few horror stories regarding swollen batteries and want to do everything I can to avoid this as running and throwing it into the back garden isnt really an option for me. I am looking for somewhere that has a full comprehensive guide to Lipo batteries and the correct way to charge them. I am slightly aware of the issue of over or under charging them but I dont really know the details.

I did try and search the forum and google but didnt really manage to find anything that helps.

Any help you guys could provide would be awesome

Thanks.

 

[Stodgy]

This guide is spot on:

https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/

Different application same technology. Hope it helps

 

[Rogerborg]

HobbyKing for the batteries.  2S i.e. 7.4V, they list dimensions so you can be sure that whatever you buy will fit, and are cheap enough that you can often buy two for the price that other sellers will charge for one battery.

SkyRC iMAX B6 charger (get one with a power supply, or get a PSU like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071H2XY1T/ ). Yes, other chargers are cheaper, but don't give you anything like as much flexibility, information, control or confidence.  Add a couple of crocodile clip connectors and some small magnets and you can use it to charge just about anything including nimh or 18650 3.7V cells.

Charge using Lipo -> Balance charge -> at a "1 hour" current, e.g. for a 1200mAh (= 1.2 Ah) battery, charge it at 1.2A

Put the battery in a lipo bag and/or put both battery and charger in an ECPD[*].

Don't short it out, e.g. if you re-wire to Deans (or XT-60 or pretty much anything but Tamiya / mini Tamiya) then cut and re-wire one wire at a time, don't cut them both together or leave both wires exposed.

Don't leave it unattended while charging.

Have a powder extinguisher and/or fire blanket to hand, as you should do anyway in a kitchen.

Don't worry, be happy.

[*]Explosion Containment Pie Dish.

 

[Musica]

HobbyKing for the batteries.  2S i.e. 7.4V, they list dimensions so you can be sure that whatever you buy will fit, and are cheap enough that you can often buy two for the price that other sellers will charge for one battery.

Depending on the gun it might be better to buy the more expensive ones. I got a new battery for my evo as the hobby king ones were like a puzzle to get fitted in my hand guard. I will add the one battery I got cost twice as much as 1 of the hobby king batteries. The fact it just fits and I don't get frustrated setting my gun up is worth it to me. 

Very good brief text guide from Roger. You will need to watch or read a few specific on the charger you get so you know how to get the menus you need. You will want to know how to get to LIPO balance and Lipo storage on the charger I don't use anything else on mine.  I had to get balance lead extenders for my B6AC to charge my batteries in the bags.

something like https://www.componentshop.co.uk/jst-xh-balance-lead-extensions-2s.html or  for 11.1v https://www.componentshop.co.uk/jst-xh-balance-lead-extensions-3s-400mm.html 

Biggest tips to stay safe: 

Get a good charger

Always unplug your batteries at the end of the day 

Have 2 batteries and swap at lunch to avoid draining one too low.

If you feel the ROF drop or power drop swap batteries.

Store batteries in the bag and charge in the bag (fire proof lipo bag like https://www.componentshop.co.uk/lipo-safe-charging-bag-small.html ) 

If the charger says no buy a new battery and dispose of the old one safely. Do not try to salvage it the smart charger is trying to stop you being dumb.  

 

[Sawyer]

I'm using titan power batteries at the moment. Largely risk free. I'm lazy like that, I'd rather spend a touch more and not have to babysit them ?

I'm curious, does anyone know if I can turn off lipo protection on a mosfet using the titan power batteries?

 

[Monkeywrencher]

I'm using titan power batteries at the moment. Largely risk free. I'm lazy like that, I'd rather spend a touch more and not have to babysit them ?

I'm curious, does anyone know if I can turn off lipo protection on a mosfet using the titan power batteries?

 What makes Titan batteries safer than any other make of battery? tehy seem to carry the same safety warnings as any other Lithium ion battery.

As for disabling Lipo protection, why?

https://www.gettitanpower.com/pages/lithium-ion-safety

 

[Sawyer]

 What makes Titan batteries safer than any other make of battery? tehy seem to carry the same safety warnings as any other Lithium ion battery.

As for disabling Lipo protection, why?

https://www.gettitanpower.com/pages/lithium-ion-safety

Allegedly they don't puff, don't suffer from the same explosive nature if rapidly discharged. (hence a lack of need for lipo protection)

I'd be curious to test this though, and actually rapidly discharge one. 

I want lipo protection off because the titan mosfet I have likes to beep at me when I use titan batteries, with lipo protection on, which I think has something to do with their normal discharge rate. Plus they aren't a lipo anyway.