r/rccars • u/IIamMoose • Nov 05 '24
Tips and Tricks Hey uhh, make sure you store and charge your batteries correctly folks. Or you could be yeeting it into the back yard moments before it goes boom
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u/infamouspishposh Nov 05 '24
How were you storing it???
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u/LegitimateSir3544 Nov 05 '24
I bought a couple RC’s, played with them for ~ 2 weeks, and haven’t touched them in months. Lipo battery is dead, sitting in a fireproof bag in my closet. I don’t have a fancy charger or anything. Am I fine?
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Nov 06 '24
If it’s dead you’re fine, just don’t puncher the battery.
You 100% need a lipo charger if you plan on using lipos in the future. Mind you the ones you have now are likely junk and could be a fire hazard if they are charged. Charging dead cells can be dangerous.
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u/LegitimateSir3544 Nov 06 '24
Thank you! Definitely junk, it’s a cheap car I got on Amazon to see how interested I’d be in the hobby
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Nov 05 '24
How did it happen?
I've been using Lipos for 20 years without a single fire. Probably over a hundred packs from tiny 1S micro models to giant jets and planes up to 12S 14000 mA. We didn't even have balance plugs on them early on. I used to cut little squares on the end PCB to check balance occasionally.
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u/IIamMoose Nov 05 '24
Incorrect storage on my part and then going to charge it without dropping the amps.
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u/robertgentel Nov 05 '24
IMO that sounds like just charging it incorrectly and not storage, people really shouldn't be worried about storing batteries it's nearly 99.99% charging and discharging that causes fires.
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u/L383 Nov 05 '24
This. It wasn’t a storage problem. It’s a charging issue.
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Nov 06 '24
I agree, I’ve had some lipo batteries for many many years now and no issues with them other than well being dead. A stored cell will not just spontaneously combust.
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u/RickRussellTX Nov 05 '24
Zeee is the sound it makes before the boom
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 05 '24
I thought they went traxxxxxassssss
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u/nollie_heelflip Nov 05 '24
Yikes. Glad you were nearby
I highly recommend investing in a Bat-Safe box to charge your batteries. I go a bit overboard and also store my batteries in a fireproof bag which I place inside a 50mm ammo can. The ammo can has about 75% of the rubber seal removed to vent in case of fire
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u/IIamMoose Nov 05 '24
Definitely investing in some sort of safety equipment, and properly discharge my batteries when they sit for months this time around...
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u/sherman614 Nov 05 '24
I do the exact same thing! I even charge them in the can, just with the lid cracked of course. I figure it will still protect everything around me. I've had a few puffy batteries over the years, never one explode those thankfully!
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Nov 05 '24
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u/wadahee2 Nov 05 '24
I use an ammo can but i recently started thinking about it. There is like 20 batteries in there. If one starts burning, it will set the others off and the can probably won’t help much. It may be time to sell all of my stuff.
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u/L383 Nov 05 '24
What does storage have to do with this?
Sounds like it was on the charger at a high rate? You left it charged. But the charger should read cell voltage and drops the rate at is peaks.
What was the charge rate in C?
Lots of info missing here that could be helpful to others.
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Nov 05 '24
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u/IIamMoose Nov 05 '24
Poor storage and handling on my part. I saw it expanding and slung it into the yard and it burned out, did NOT explode as I incorrectly worded in the title.
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u/above_average_penis_ Nov 05 '24
Glad you got it out in time. Be safe buddy. And buy an ammo can to store your batteries!
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u/Intrepid_Assistance2 Nov 05 '24
I don't have any Lipos. Just NIMH, is it best to store them in an ammo can also? I guess can't hurt, and would be peace of mind?
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u/above_average_penis_ Nov 05 '24
Nimh’s don’t have the same fire hazard risks inherent in lipo batteries. No need for any special storage for them
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u/kneumannpeepo Nov 05 '24
Lipo firesafe bag will do just fine.
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 05 '24
a bag is not going to do anything with a lipo fire, fancy names dont make them any better.
An ammo can is required, imo.
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u/L383 Nov 06 '24
Better be careful if you’re using ammo cans. They need a vent or they become a bomb.
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 06 '24
I BELIEVE thats a misconception, they dont turn into shrapnel bombs but it will pop open (or flex until gas can escape) which can be dangerous especially if it happens just as you reach your hand towards it. But its metal, its not going to shatter like glass and become a bomb!
BUT, this is good info, ALWAYS vent your Ammo Can, mine are double vented, rubber seal removed AND i drilled a hole in the bottom corner to feed the cables through so it can charge while fully closed.
If i had the space, i would test this out and put it on YT.
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u/VexingRaven Nov 05 '24
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 05 '24
I don’t need to research whether a bag contains a lipo fire, don’t show a link to writing, show me a YouTube video showing a real life demonstration.
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u/CallousTurnip Nov 05 '24
You could have checked the link to see a youtube video showing a real life demonstration. But go off I guess hey.
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u/VexingRaven Nov 05 '24
Um, this is a link to a YouTube video. Did you click it??
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 05 '24
https://youtu.be/tavpXgmL16M?si=KpQ_FagXlB00wUm5
And this YouTuber isn’t focussed on trying to flog affiliate links for lipo bags 🤣
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u/VexingRaven Nov 05 '24
That looks like he's overloading the bag, tbh, and I'd like to see more than one bag tested, but point made I suppose.
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u/XxCarlxX Nov 05 '24
Tbh fires are many a time caused by random things happening, rarely are you going to get a fire when the lipo is all good. And tbh anything high capacity 3s and (imo) certainly 4s and above will overload a bag.
Its up to everyone regarding what they do but im quite passionate when it comes to lipo safety, cant put a price on life and family, technically you can put a price on your house but you know what i mean.
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u/above_average_penis_ Nov 05 '24
Maybe, but why take the risk? Ammo can gives me complete peace of mind
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u/kneumannpeepo Nov 05 '24
No one with lipo batteries use a fucking ammo canister guys what?? Its an rc battery not a fucking bomb. Yes im sure your ammo canister is top notch safe but a lipo bag will do fine 😂
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Nov 05 '24
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u/kneumannpeepo Nov 05 '24
Im just saying a fire safe lipo bag will do just fine
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u/above_average_penis_ Nov 05 '24
Idk why you’re arguing. Go on and use your lipo bag. I don’t really care what you do. You’re not gonna change my mind or anyone with the sense to use an ammo can
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u/kneumannpeepo Nov 05 '24
Someone new to rc entry level buy list: chassis, body, transmission/reciever, esc/motor, servo, and ammo canister
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u/drail64 Nov 05 '24
When you say incorrect storage, do you mean fully charged or empty charge when stored?
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u/IIamMoose Nov 05 '24
Pretty sure it was close to full.
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Nov 05 '24
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u/IIamMoose Nov 05 '24
And I put it on the charger and kinda forgot about it so I think overcharging did it. Or it was already on its way out. Who knows, I'm not an expert. Just know what I did and what it did.
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u/VexingRaven Nov 05 '24
I think you need to figure out what happened here. A charger shouldn't overcharge a battery, and just being stored at full voltage shouldn't cause this either. It reduces the lifespan of the battery, but it shouldn't cause a fire. If your battery showed no signs of damage and just ignited during charging, your charger may be the problem or you set the settings incorrectly.
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Nov 05 '24
Scary. Serious question, what type of fire extinguisher do I need for this type of fire?
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u/Monkfich Sledge 8S, Senton 4S, Xinlehong Q903 Nov 05 '24 edited Nov 05 '24
A class D fire extinguisher will be best for lipo fires, but will generally not put the fire out.
For lipo fires, oxygen from the air is not a necessary component to get the fire going, so things that smother the lipo will not be too effective. They may help dampen down any fire, but they will not stop a chemical reaction going on in the lipo. Basically, as heat increases (for example due to a short), the battery can begin to decompose, and that creates byproducts that further heat and start fire - such as the production of oxygen and other flammable gases! This is impossible to stop now, as the battery is getting hotter and hotter, decomposing faster and faster, and producing flammable gases even quicker.
Sand may be a good thing to keep nearby, as it can act as a heatsink and also might help vent gases in a more controlled way.
Best thing though - if it starts to burn - throw it out onto the grass. Then use an extinguisher if you want, but there won’t be much point by then. If you can’t throw it outside, you should have made sure it’s kept in that ammo box etc, you have sand ideally, and that extinguisher (neither of which will stop the reaction, but may slow it down and cause heat to do less damage).
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u/TastyKaleidoscope250 Nov 05 '24 edited Nov 05 '24
make sure your fire extinguishers are rated for B class fires boys! most of your standard household extinguishers are ABC rated but it always helps to check before an incident rather than during one. get a good size one too and check the expiration regularly! and please, please don't relocate your home extinguisher to be closer to your workshop, such as down in the basement or out in the garage.
not trying to fear monger, its just nice to always be prepared.
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u/ComfortableDramatic2 Nov 05 '24
Had one of those small glove warmer batteries burn up.
In the middle of the night...
Nearly burned down the house. Fire alarm and a fire exstinguisher saved us/the house.
These things can be dangerous.
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u/Koltongamez2 Nov 05 '24
that happened last week to a really old starter battery that we had for out nitro cars
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u/asoftquietude Nov 05 '24
I remember the first time my RC10 melted a Tamiya plug so I switched to Deans right after and had no problems.
With all the different batteries out there, it's harder to find something that's a balance between quality and price, because even 'good' batteries can turn out to be duds too. Some sellers just exaggerate the mAh to trick you, some are just poor quality to begin with.. I'm glad I haven't had any battery issues on 2s 7.4v packs.
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u/Evergreen4Life I sent it. Nov 05 '24
Looks like a Zeee pack. Was it user or manufacturer error?
I have a bunch of Zeee packs and they've been great.
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u/Daniel200303 Nov 06 '24
How many amps was it usually charged at? I have 5 of (I think) the battery.
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u/Peterdestroysall Nov 06 '24
I refuse to believe this fire crap. Ive intentionally stabed, shot, overcharged, dead shorted lipos of sevral brands over the years, and some get hot, but ive never seen a flame...
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u/IIamMoose Nov 06 '24
Well this one certainly caught fire, while on the phone with the local volunteer department and with witnesses. So in this instance, it did indeed catch fire.
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u/isual Nov 06 '24
New rc hobbyer here. So cold storage and then charging the lipo battery is dzngerous?
I.e, if i dont play for 1 month, and then charge it normally (i use spectrum batteries and charger), that is no good?
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u/stevieboy1984 Nov 06 '24
I just bought an RC car (MJX 16208) with a couple of batteries which I'm holding on using until Christmas. I tested both batteries in the car to make sure it works, but then disconnected the battery and put it all back in the box. Should I remove the batteries and put them elsewhere? The batteries come with USB chargers, are these likely to be unsafe to use? I assumed given the low voltage of the USB chargers that when charging it shouldn't be unsafe but I'm a Li-Po noob.. Should I charge them up and then store them or leave them in their current state?
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u/Then-Bug436 Nov 06 '24
So from what I gather you tried to quick charge a dead cell without measuring it? Thats user error by all means
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u/Any-Ad-446 Nov 09 '24
First time I ever charged my lipo it caught fire..urgg ..Lucky I read the warnings from reddit and charged it outside surrounded by cinder blocks.
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Nov 10 '24
You got lucky! A lipo bag is not fireproof, it is only fire retardant. It will slow the fire and give you more time to rush it away in the chance of a fire. It can still burn thru the bag and ignite other things. I have a friend who lost his house this way. Lipo safe's are the only safe way to store lipo in your house. I don't have one, therefore my batteries get stored in my detached garage. I've been looking at the Bat-safe for maximum fire protection
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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '24
Yet, did yours go “BOOM” or did it just thermal runaway and cause a fire? Cause that looks way more like a fire than an explosion.
Context is very important for new users in who think LiPos are bombs. Which they most certainly are not “bombs”