LiPo shorting out???

[Skholar]

Hi

Sometimes when connecting my NiMh batts to my Miss Geico, I would get a slight spark when connecting the second batt. I've been told that this is no issue as far as battery damage.....this seems to be true since I've gotten lots of life from my NiMh packs.

Do I have to be worried about shorting out my LiPos if this happens??

[Doby]

Nope.

[mappo]

Hi

Sometimes when connecting my NiMh batts to my Miss Geico, I would get a slight spark when connecting the second batt. I've been told that this is no issue as far as battery damage.....this seems to be true since I've gotten lots of life from my NiMh packs.

Do I have to be worried about shorting out my LiPos if this happens??

The spark you see is normal, that is the esc capacitor being charged up. 4 cells are nothing compared to the spark you will get when you start using 6-10 cells.

[Skholar]

Thanks....I didn't think so, but you know all the hype about LiPos..I'm a volunteer firefighter and it wouldn't look too good having my guys come to save the house from burning down or something!!!!!

[kookie_guy]

Thanks....I didn't think so, but you know all the hype about LiPos..I'm a volunteer firefighter and it wouldn't look too good having my guys come to save the house from burning down or something!!!!!

well, being a volunteer firefighter that wouldn't be required, as you would likely take all the neccessary precautions when storing, charging, and using your lipos, lol.

[Skholar]

yeah...I'm really anal about fire safety and stuff...just ask my wife!

I actually store all my batteries in a ammo can....if it's rated to hold M80 rounds for air transport, it works for me!!!

[Paul Susbauer]

For higher voltage applications, there are spark arrestor setups you can wire in to keep those arcs to a minimum.

I find the faster you can plug the pack in the better. If you fumble when plugging in packs, though I've never damaged batteries, I have blown out a ESC.

[Diesel6401]

The anti sparks are nice on the higher voltages. That pop at 6s + starts taking its toll on the bullet connectors. Just my 2 cents.

[FighterCat57]

http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/nospark.html

Wire up a little resistor, I just use a 10 ohm 2w and it'll slow the fill of the caps down enough not to spark when you connect. It's an extra connector to plug in, but saves the life of the bullets.

Also, never run the esc with just the resistor plugged in.

I typically install the resistor on the negative side. I don't know that it matters which side, as long as you use the same on all your setups.

the extra battery wire is a little annoying at times, but well worth the no - spark.

It's a must on 6s+ setups.


Somebody mentioned fumbling the leads and blowing an ESC, yep. If you repetitively fill the caps, you could blow one, or if the motor tries to run and the plug comes undone, it can cause back current issues. The anti-spark lead will help prevent this.

[Skholar]

Great info guys!!!! Thanks

[BHChieftain]

yeah...I'm really anal about fire safety and stuff...just ask my wife!

I actually store all my batteries in a ammo can....if it's rated to hold M80 rounds for air transport, it works for me!!!

Hi, what box and rating? I've never heard of an ammo box being rated to "contain" an exploding round-- I'm pretty sure the ammo boxes are designed to keep moisture away from the ammo and that's about it.

You might want to do some research about storing someting that might burn and generate a lot of gas inside a sealed ammo can.

Chief

[Skholar]

Yeah...the trick is to remove the rubber gasket and drill a few holes in the top....as far as the rating, I'm only going by what the army surplus guy told me....would have to look into it myself to be 100% sure

Skholar

[BHChieftain]

Did you read the "near disaster- Chinese battery" thread in this sub-forum posted by m4a1usr (John)? That ammo can had a 3" wide vent cut into the side and it still blew up.

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...t=24306&page=2
post 48 which then refers to:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355739

I had been using an ammo can with the gasket removed to store (with the box in the fireplace), but after reviewing the above thread I'm concerned that just removing the seal might not provide enough venting capacity-- so now I took the lid off completely.

Chief

[Skholar]

Hmmmm...yeah, I think you're right...I'm gonna remove the lid as well. Thanks for the advice!!

Skholar