Puffed Cells ?

[knpc]

My Elite cells puffed today. They have been puffed a small amount since one of there first runs, but they never changed size until today. I assume these cells are Done. What should I do with them for disposal.
I ran my Poly RC cells on the run before with no setup changes and they came in fine at 125deg, which leads me to believe the Elites just couldn't handle the amp draw I was asking out of them. They had around 40-50 cycles on them.

[properchopper]

I'm beginning to become a little frustrated with my Elites as well. My first set of 2S 35C 5000's puffed a cell on one pack ; Mike at CBP replaced it, thankfully. Now the other original one recently came in much hotter than the other series-connected one [ a SV-27 motored UL-1 that shouldn't draw that much current.] The shrink puffed some, but it settled back down when cooled. I doubt if it has much life left, however after maybe 25-30 runs. Same thing with a pair of 4S 30C 5300's I run singly in my UL-1 powered tunnel. Also - between those two and my 4 4S 35C 5000's I've had several tap wires become disconnected/unsoldered. My conclusion is that Elites just don't hold up over time. FWIW, I'm now using some Zippy/Flightpower 30C 4S 5000's [ les than $ 200 for the pair delivered in 5 days from HK] in the tunnel, and they totally rock, but only a handful of runs so far. The real test will come in a month or so when I try them at 4S2P in a Neu powered hydro I'm building.
I'm not sure about disposal, hopefully someone smarter than me will chime in.

[NorthernBoater]

I found this with a quick google search. Keep in mind I am not endorsing it. I have never done what it suggests.

http://www.rctoys.com/pr/2007/07/06/safely-dispose-of-lithium-polymer-lipo-lipoly-battery-packs/

[sailr]

50 cycles is probably all you're going to get out of the cheaper batteries.

[properchopper]

Keep in mind I am not endorsing it. [/B] I have never done what it suggests.

Then again, to QUICKLY discharge a puffed 10S pack, a hammer and large nail will do the trick, as was done by an un-named racer at the '08 Nat's. [The evening meal was quite charming bathed in the warm glow of an erupting lipo ]

[sailr]

"I love the smell of lipo in the morning"

[lincpimp]

I do used to do alot of lipo repair over on the rcm forums. Probably handled 200+ packs. Seems like the elite lipos like to loose a cell per pack. To dispose of them I used to cut the wires off and throw them in the trash. A puffed lipo indicates that the internal chemistry of the pack has undergone a change and produced some gas. This could be from overdischarge (under 2v or so) or from being pulled too hard. As long as the pack is not shorted out the cells are not dangerous.

[Gerwin Brommer]

The one and only right way to dispose lipo's : throw them in salt! water.
Leave them there overnight and the lipo's are dead.
By doing it this way, they also are not chemical waste !

[knpc]

Thanks. What would you guys suggest for replacement packs. So far my Polt Rc packs have been good but they only have 20 or so cycles on them so time will tell. What are the best packs out there right now? I'd rather pay more for quality packs than have to replace cheaper ones more often. I run 4s2p in all three of my boats, rico29, df33, sprintcat40.

[sjslhill]

Lol

Lipos never fail, they last for hundreds of cycles

Yes, I know, you need Hyperion G3's they will last for 10 season!

r/c boat racing kills batteries.

[Doug Smock]

Go with Neu or Hyperion cells if you want your $ worth IMO.

[NorthernBoater]

RC Lipos can get the new hyperion packs. You need to send them an email.
http://www.rclipos.com/PolyRCSpecials.htm#Hyperion

[knpc]

I wasn't aware that rc lipos had them. Pat is always good to deal with, thats where I have bought all my packs so far.

[NorthernBoater]

I wasn't aware that rc lipos had them. Pat is always good to deal with, thats where I have bought all my packs so far.

They are not listed but I ordered a set from him. He said they would take 2 days to get them.

[sailr]

These guys seem to have all the hyperion G3 packs. Damn they are cheap!

http://www.allerc.com/index.php?cPath=3_4_93