LIPO fire at the FE Nationals

[tlandauer]

There is really no reason to get personal on this, all I was saying is that the fact that there was a fire is enough of a reminder for me. And for the record, I DO READ lipo safety instructions! I am not there ---like one of you have said, I do not judge how these lipos were handled. And to be honest, all these racers are extremely experienced so I don't just jump to conclusions. I am just supporting Jim for his candid way of doing things.
making a A$$$ of myself and certain member is not on my agenda, sorry to disappoint!

[Stinger9D9]

Lipos being stored in a cooler? Huh? Isn't that a bit too flammable for such a use?

I prefer ammo boxes, or even better, this little beauty I found on Ebay a while back:
box 1.jpgbox 2.jpgbox 3.jpg

Before you freak about the "a" word, don't. The asbestos is contained between two layers of heavy steel - it's inaccessible and sandwiched between. In my present line of work, it's my bread and butter (I carry out removal inspections and air monitoring so it's my job to know the hazards).

Also, THANK YOU Jim for letting us know about fire extinguishers and Lipos. I bet no one here knew about that. That sure would be a rude awakening if you had a mishap at home (or somewhere else away from a body of water).

[detox]

Keith this isn't true in the IMPBA. Can't (won't) speak for NAMBA.
D.

Doug, What is the max voltage for 4s1p in IMPBA?

...

[ozzie-crawl]

Thats great to know fire extinguishers dont work. Mate of mine lost a heap of lipos awhile back due to 1 2s 2200 pack that was in a sack charging. It must have been damaged and not realized it. It leaked flaming fluid all over his work bench catching the other lipos on fire.
He thought he was being safe using a sack and on a fire proof panel on his bench.

[Doug Smock]

doug, what is the max voltage for 4s1p in impba?

...

4s whatever P, 17.3 v Keith. But of course for this to matter, it would have to be checked.

Doug

[carlcisneros]

What Smocky really meant to type was 16.8 voltsDC...........

and IMO who ever told folks (if in fact they did), they should keep the accident quiet
should be ousted from that organization for taking the safety aspect of the accident and
trying to hush in any way what so ever. JMO of course folks...............

[Doug Smock]

What Smocky really meant to type was 16.8 voltsDC...........

and IMO who ever told folks (if in fact they did), they should keep the accident quiet
should be ousted from that organization for taking the safety aspect of the accident and
trying to hush in any way what so ever. JMO of course folks...............

Should have gone to bed early Carl. LOL
Edited the post. 14.8 + - 17% Max 4s voltage is 17.3.

[ozzie-crawl]

Wonder how long until lipo manufacturers catch on to this and start producing 4.5 volt per cell lipos ?

[Darin Jordan]

I'm sorry you didn't learn anything from this thread Michael. What I learned - from 5 feet away - is that fire extinguishers are useless in controling a LIPO fire.

Jim... I'm sorry, but you are completely off base here... The ABC fire extinguishers did exactly what they were suppose to. Throwing WATER on an Electrical/Chemical fire is insane. Once power was removed from the situation, it took a few extinguishers to get the job done, but they did the job. Water would have been a disaster! As it was, you can't even tell anything ever happenend, once it as all cleaned up.

Those of you who weren't standing right there (I was pitted right next to the trailer and saw the actions that put the fire out... ), You really have not room to speculate or criticise here. You simply don't have the information to make a qualified judgement.

As for over-volting your cells. Give me a break. It's a stupid practice, that results in ruining your Lipos. Just use them as they were meant to be used, and learn how to work props and tune your boat.

[carlcisneros]

Smock;
I just multiplied the 4.2 times 4 is all guy. been a long night here at work is all buddy. LOL

Irregardless as to who was there or not, SAFETY is paramount and if there is a lesson to be learned from the accident,
folks need to know about it and hopefully it will never happen again.

time to get in the Blazer and head to the house for the night.

Am just glad no one was hurt and hopefully lessons were learned.

[drwayne]

Australia has very black/white rules re FE Safety, inc Lipo charging ( max 4.2v/cell for eg )
what do US associations have for guidance ?

Au ruleset here
www.ampba.asn.au under documents, read the rules !

??
W

[TheShaughnessy]

Irregardless isn't even a word first of all. Secondly an electrical fire should never be put out with water it is just stupid. I'm with Darin, the abc extinguishers worked and are the only reason the cells were able to be removed. Assume all you want and make an ass out of yourself. You guys are listening to someone who was using a v series prop on his cat for oval racing. The same guy that had his esc set on 4s for a N boat. The incident was supposed.to.be kept quite because the organizers knew it would turn into the cluster*!***!***!***!** it has become. The proper safety precautions were taken and that is why not a single person was injured. Watch propperchoppers video and you will see no no damage to the red and black trailer the fire happened in.

My boats were by no means the fastest or most well put together , but I'm also not spreading false drama.

[drwayne]

After 2 pages , 'the rest of the world' have no idea what occurred beyond, oops
And our surmised / educated view is the fire was due non standard use of lipo cells

Now the cat is out of the bag.. use it as a learning experience for all .
what happened ?
why did it happen ?
what procedures were used to extinguish the fire ?
was this incident successfully managed under current risk management guidelines ?
If not, how should they be amended with this new lesson at hand ?

Accidents do happen, that's why we have insurance, and incident protocols in case of Pfffft !

N2 cat esc on 4S .. you 'experienced' guys disable lvc.. doesn't this achieve the same ?
V series on oval cat.. offer expert comment, not abusive ridicule.
Stop shi.tting on the guy for being safety conscious .

I read this as a chemical fire, not electrical... show us the details to suggest Im wrong.

WHAT HAPPENED ?

yours in safe FE boating
Wayne.

ps Im one the ppl who wrote the Au safety sheets.. always looking to amend if an incident isnt catered for

[Flying Scotsman]

Hmmmm....safety first, not speed.... many have lost their lives in that dream...Donald Campbell, a real hero in both boating and road speed records.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6a--7mYpbQ

Douggie

[RCboatfan2010]

Good thing to read this thread as its a reminder to be carefull when using lipo's. I just have a question to the experts if I may. I'ts being said that you must also store your lipo's in a fireproof place. Are there any cases where unused, stored lipo's ever caught fire? I thought this only happens when incorrect charging is done or when the lipo's are shorted out etc.
I have permanently mounted my lipo's in one of my boats with expanding foam. I do charge the lipo's inside the boat outside where I can't burn anything else down, but the boat is obviously stored inside my house when not in use. Is it dangerous to store lipo's like this?