Lipo Safe Proto

[SJFE]

This is my prototype lipo safe. I dreamed this for charging, storage & transport. up a couple months ago. It will withstand anything a lipo pack can give it. It's 85% finished @ this point. It is indestructible for the most part. It's completely welded 3/16 steel. It measures about 16x16x 5.5 inches. Front plate slides into place via welded channels and is secured with 2 wing nuts over 3/8th studs. My fabricator is drilling a 1/2x1/2 vent in the left side that will double for wiring access. A blast deflector will be welded over the vent to direct hot gas and fire down and away from people and equipment. I am having a handle installed on the top & for legs to elevate it about 4 inches off the any surfaces. I am coating the inside of it with a non conductive pray. Like a rhino liner ect. Then I'll put Velcro in there to secure the packs. I have plenty of foam padding to slide in between the packs during transport. I can bolt on charger brackets later if I feel the need. With the crossover to lipo coming soon I thought this was a safest way to store, charge and transport my packs. Mike..my fab guy agreed to do a limited number of these after the proto. I have been talking to Steven about them. I will post the rest of the pictures when its complete and all painted up.

[wickedgmc]

wow, that should contain alot more than a lipo problem.

Who is gonna test it????? LOL


if you don't mind me asking how heavy is it and how much did it cost?

[SJFE]

He tested it with an m60 with no vent lid closed. Also misted a bunch of starting fluid in it with the lid cracked. No affect. Good thing he is the fire chief...lol. I trust it in my house. But in the pictures of my work area note the big fire extinguisher mounted on the wall directly to the left of my chair. I also have a 5 foot wood broom handle with a hook. This way I can hook it and get it outside fast. The cost is still being worked out. Mike is a professional fabricator welder ect. He is charging me full rate but I don't expect him to do it for a few bucks a unit either. It should be under 10 pounds.

[Mich. Maniac]

is their a reason to really be that safe. tHE only time ive seen or heard of them blowing is overcharge. I know you cant be too safe in your home but do you even trust them in your models then? Chargers, even for lipo, have come a long way unless your not using a good quality charger I just dont see the danger. I am usually itching to finish the charge and pull them off eary anyways. Nice idea and great construction.

[SJFE]

You know me. Anything worth doing is worth over doing. I just want to take out as much of the "what it" factor as I can. I also ad thought about being in a car wreck headed to or from the lake. God forbid you where unable to exit the car right away. The safe may prevent cell damage or @ least give you a some more time to get out. Mike has all ready suggested a couple ways to stream line the build and lighten them up a little. He wants to invest in a tig welder. We had discuss diamond plate aluminum as an option to steel.

[NorthernBoater]

Do you have any way to run wires in for a charging?

[SJFE]

My fabricator is drilling a 1/2x1/2 vent in the left side that will double for wiring access.

Line 9 in post one :)

[Steven Vaccaro]

Very cool. Does the chief recommend a certain brand and class of fire extinguisher for lipo?

[SJFE]

Good question Steven... I will consult with him tomorrow @ work. I would imagine a dry chemical or co2 unit would be the way to go.

[Doug Smock]

Good question Steven... I will consult with him tomorrow @ work. I would imagine a dry chemical or co2 unit would be the way to go.

Good idea SJFE, I think a lighter matreial would still give you plenty of protection, but certainly understand your concerns.
For fire supression I just carry a bucket of sand.

Doug

[ReddyWatts]

Gosh, D Smock, you are talking about lighter box, but you carry a bucket of sand around? lol!

[SJFE]

Gosh, D Smock, you are talking about lighter box, but you carry a bucket of sand around? lol!

ROFLMAO........:D

[Doug Smock]

Gosh, D Smock, you are talking about lighter box, but you carry a bucket of sand around? lol!

LOL, That was cute.:p
I go to the lake ready for ANYTHING. Oh, and his 10lb box is a whole lot lighter than the scientific oven I charge and store my cells in.
The information I read ( good bad or indifferent )on a fire extinguisher capable of handling a LiPo fire costs around 3 bills. Bucket of sand $5.00. Weight is no problem for me. I was thinking of others.:)

Doug

[ReddyWatts]

So what kind of fire extinguisher does it take to put out a lipo fire? A regular A, B, C extinguisher will not work?

That is good information.

[SJFE]

I look @ thos pictures and i see big $$$$$ . I wont have anything close to that until my kids are out of school & i'm retired. I am only one child in now with @ lest 2 or 3 more to go.....:p. By then batteries as we know them won't even be used anymore. I see self contained hydrogen power cells in our future . I bet it closer than we think.