Lenny is very smart about LiPo's, when I first started using them he helped me the same way he is trying to help you guys. Follow the links he gave you in post #11, there is a lot good information there.
Most of the fires you hear about & see vids on YouTube are because of stupid people who do not read or follow the instructions & proper safey measures. Some of those fires are on purpose becuase somebody was bored and had nothing better to do.
There seems to be mixed feelings about those "LiPo safety bags". Apparently there is a lot of difference in the quality, more money does not always mean better quality. A cheap bag isn't really going to help much if a fire does start. Probably better to buy those at your hobby store instead of the internet so you can see it in person before you buy it.
The main thing with LiPo's is:
read and follow ALL instructions,
NEVER leave a LiPo battery un-attended while it is charging.
Do not charge at more than 1C, 1C = mAh of battery x 1,
example: 5000mAh battery, 1C = 5A charge rate, or less if your anal like me, I charge at 1/2C or less.
Only use good quality chargers, not those cheap piece of sh*t like you see on eBay and most of the ones HobbyKing & HobbyPartz sells. The DuraTrax Onyx 235 is a good budget charger, doesn't have a lot of special / advanced features, just charges & balance's the battery.
If you want features like: discharging, safe storage mode & so on, then you need to speed some extra money and get something like these...
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVRS6&P=ML
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...XZMX6&P=7#tech
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVZA8&P=SM
I found this one last night...
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC3025 - has a lot of useful features and it only costs $100(USD).
I also found some Hyperion chargers last night, forgot where, but they are also good quality and the prices are reasonable, about $100~$125(USD). They too have some of the more advanced features like the E-flite charger.
About makes of batteries... here is an excellent thread with tons of good info on batteries...
https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...s-for-the-buck - people talk about batteries they have good luck with and ones that are not so good. The main focus is on affordable batteries that are also good quality.
Alot of people in that thread and on other forums say good things about Gens Ace. Alot of people also like Sky LiPo (and some don't), but HobbyPartz has been out of them forever.
Ok, that should be enough info to keep you guys busy for awhile.
Please be careful & safe so you can enjoy your boat hobby.
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