Hardcase or Softpack Lipo's?

[Tuslow1]

I never exploded a pack but I have puffed a few and thats close enough to a lipo fire that I want to get!
My question is will a hardcase pack help to contain the flames or will it burst into flames just as fast as a regular softpack?
I've been trying to buy super high "C" rated cells to reduce high burst amperage failure from hard launches. It seems that no matter how hard I run the 50c/100c TP's don't even get warm!!!

[ozzie-crawl]

hard case packs are more or less for cars,lots of places wont let you run soft packs
the case is suppose to stop them getting puncher-ed.
here is a pic of a hard case pack,mate heard a pop pulled car up and got battery out just in time. just after it totally went up in flames.
there only plastic cases,the one you show if its carbon fibre would probably give you more time

[Simon.O.]

Here is how I see it.
IF you are going to have a Lipo fire then only a lot of metal will save the surrounding components from damage.
I would suspect that the "Carbon" is a look alike and not a true carbon+epoxy wrap.
I have had packs puff, swell and even produce a lot of smelly smoke. I guess I am lucky to not yet get one to flame on me.

My only advice is this.
Runs lipos and enjoy the power !
Handle them with due care
Charge them correctly and safely, I am sure we all do, only idiots do it wrong !
Take care when hooking up at the pond. There are a few threads on this and I have had a few close calls.

Most importantly is to go all the back to the start and spec the packs so that they are not stressed to the max during a run. As a very amatuer SAW type runner I am guilty of giving packs a hard run and will take the flames (lipo fire) in good nature if they arrive.

Have fun and take care of your packs.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Any chance of using the bags in our boats? Even if they are cut to fit and sealed with cinch straps it could help.

[ozzie-crawl]

yea i have both fake and real carbon fibre cases,the c/F may hold it back a little longer
but i had a esc burn threw a carbon Kevlar hull,so wont help for long

[ozzie-crawl]

Any chance of using the bags in our boats? Even if they are cut to fit and sealed with cinch straps it could help.

good point,fire blankets are just fibreglass cloth
wonder how much extra cost it would be for lipo companies to put a fibreglass cloth bag over the cell,then add shrink wrap

[sailr]

hard cases just add weight and size. Get the soft packs, BUY good lipos! Spend a bit more than those cheapies from HK! And finally, take care of them. Keep 'em balanced. Don't over charge or discharge them, etc. and you will be fine. Oh, and get a GOOD (again, spend a little more) reliable charger while you're at it.

I have been running lipos for over 5 years and have NEVER had a fire.

[scoota]

Here is my 2 cents worth , hard case lipos good for cars, but our boats are pulling way more amps , i prefer soft packs cause you can keep an eye on battery temps a bit better than a hard case pack ....

[ozzie-crawl]

thats what i said in my first post,but if they had a fibreglass wrapping,and were less fire prone
they may drop some of the shipping restrictions.i cant see a fibreglass cloth wrap adding more than a few grams weight
never had a cell catch fire myself,but puffed a couple packs

[SweetZ28]

I for one do not like the hard case lipos because you can not see the cells and what could be happening to them after a run during a charge ... at least with the standard lipo cells you can see if anything starts puffing or goes wrong and take care of it before a fire happens,
with hard case lipos to me its like a hidden time bomb dont see nothing then BOOM !!

[Tuslow1]

Simon the packs are not real CF, some kinda tape wrap over plastic cases.
I got the hardcase's because that was the only way you could get the 50c/100c packs from TP. I had to have them because 520A burst/ 260A cont. is darn near impossible to over task with my setups.
I should'nt say that because somebody will prove me wrong!!