Wet Lipos

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Hi, don't ask how but my 3s Lipos got wet (2 of them). They arent swollen or puffed at all, they were submerged about 1/4 of the way up for around 30 mins (stuck in the middle of the lake, you know the story).

They have been outside for the last 5 hours, still not puffed up or vented.

They have a little condensation inside the shrink wrap. They are Flightpower Evo-Lite 3S 3200's.

Will they be ok to use again?

[Flying Scotsman]

Have you openned up the wrap? It is corrosion on the tabs that will give you problems.

Douggie

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Haven't touched them yet. I was too worried about them blowing up in my face lol.

[Darin Jordan]

When my packs get wet, I remove the outter heat shrink, wipe them as dry as possible, then set them in a warm place to let them completely airdry. If there are wood spacers between them, then replace those, or make sure they are completely dry. When I'm sure they are dry, I re-heatshrink them and go back to racing...

Keep in mind too, that the wire can wick and trap moisture and carry it up to the tabs... , though unless you are willing to put new wire onto the solder tabs, there isn't much you can do about this...

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Okay, thanks for the advice. So I'll carefully remove the heatshrink and wipe them down. Not sure where is hot to leave them, since England is a cold place. The boiler room is probably too humid.

[Meniscus]

You're full of good info today Darin. I was wondering when I might have to ask the question, but haven't had to as of yet. And yes I have stock in hatch tape! LOL

=> knocking on wood.

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Ok, I've removed all the heatshrink etc. Wiped all the tabs, they are completely dry. On had a few dark patches where it was probably just a little damp, and has already dried. But all of the tabs are clean and shiny apart from that one. I'll buy some shrink wrap and fibre-glass tape and wrap them back up tomorrow.

Thanks for helping me Darin, its useful to know

[paulwilliams]

Does anyone waterproof their lipo packs? I've sprayed mine with silicone grease and sealed the ends with silicone sealant - not sure if this will work long term, but it seemed a good idea at the time.

Paul

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Maxamps sell fully waterproof lipos. But I don't rate the cells they use...

[ED66677]

I have some cheap chinese one that have silicon but only at one the end !

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Hehe. I'm actually very impressed that these didn't explode. The D&T technician flies RC planes for Team GB, and said that wet lipos for him have always blown up instantly. These sat in water for about 20-30 mins nearly half submerged, I then shook the water out when I took them out, left them for a bit (cautiously :D) and did as Darin suggested.

Did not expect them to be that waterproof.

[paulwilliams]

The D&T technician flies RC planes for Team GB, and said that wet lipos for him have always blown up instantly.

Lol I smell the farmyard here. As the Airborne Jock says, the worst that will happen is rust, not an explosion.

[ghostofpf1]

Lol I smell the farmyard here. As the Airborne Jock says, the worst that will happen is rust, not an explosion.

no kidding...wet lipos spontaneously combusting is news to me

steve

[SweetZ28]

I havent done this but it may be a good idea to spray them where the tabs are with corrosionX so water wont harm them if they ever get wet the corrosion X will not let the tabs erode.

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LOL. Heh, only relaying what he said. Did think it sounded a bit fishy.

Oh yeah, and it you do a search for Richard Rawle he comes right up; is a nitro guy though, probably why he was weary about the lipos spontaneuosly combusting :p