Cases Battery Storage.

bigone5500

Well-Known Member
I plan on using a 50 cal. Ammo can for Lipo storage. I currently use a plastic organizer to keep them from being damaged. How many batteries is recommended to keep in one can? Do they need to be separated from each other?

This is probably a bad idea...

20171212_204514.jpg
 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that if they weren't stored in a metal container then that's a bad idea. I guess they can just catch fire spontaneously.
 

Tony

Staff member
They can if they are handled improperly or damaged. I have never had one just catch on fire for no reason.
 

Tony

Staff member
As the owner of this forum, I can't say yes or no. But what I can say is I would store mine like that and not worry too much about it. But that is just me.
 

RandyDSok

Well-Known Member
I've known two people that have had fires due to unknown reasons because of lipo's.... neither knew of any damage or abuse to their batteries. One lost the house they were living in and the other an unattached garage.

If you are going to use a metal container such as an ammo box... Make certain that the batteries can't short against the sides of the container or against themselves. Many ammo boxes are also air/water tight which is actually a bad thing when it comes to storing batteries in the event of a failure... so remove any seals they may have so they can vent and not become a "pipe bomb"
 

bigone5500

Well-Known Member
As the owner of this forum, I can't say yes or no. But what I can say is I would store mine like that and not worry too much about it. But that is just me.
I hate liabilities. Thanks though.
I've known two people that have had fires due to unknown reasons because of lipo's.... neither knew of any damage or abuse to their batteries. One lost the house they were living in and the other an unattached garage.

If you are going to use a metal container such as an ammo box... Make certain that the batteries can't short against the sides of the container or against themselves. Many ammo boxes are also air/water tight which is actually a bad thing when it comes to storing batteries in the event of a failure... so remove any seals they may have so they can vent and not become a "pipe bomb"
I have another metal container that was a military surplus. Not sure the caliber but it's large and can be lined with flame retardant material. Special vents can be fabricated easily I think.
 

RandyDSok

Well-Known Member
I have another metal container that was a military surplus. Not sure the caliber but it's large and can be lined with flame retardant material. Special vents can be fabricated easily I think.

I wouldn't think that adding vents would be needed... just remove any seals on the lid should be plenty in order to avoid pressure buildup.

The lining itself wouldn't require being flame retardant as much as a non-conducting material... like perhaps shelf/drawer lining or even a toolbox liner type of material.
 

Tony

Staff member
I remember the guy you are talking about Randy, the one that lost his house. That was crappy all around. Dude had some very nice models. I was at his house about a month before that fire. As for the other one, I don't remember hearing about that one.
 

RandyDSok

Well-Known Member
. As for the other one, I don't remember hearing about that one.

The other one was Gordon... He was the one with the small scratch built electrics. He occasionally would also bring a small heli and was always talking about his trains he custom built also. Sort of an odd duck but nice once you got to know him. He also flew pretty good as well.
 

RandyDSok

Well-Known Member
Here is one of Gordon's scale models he scratch built... I'd guess the wingspan is around 3' but it's just a guess...

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Tony

Staff member
Wasn't that the dude that always brought the 15" Cub to the field? I think that is the size. Dude flew that thing like a boss. I didn't know he lost everything in a fire. That sucks.
 

Admiral

Well-Known Member
There was also a guy from New Zealand who's Garage got burnt down luckily it was separate from the house.
 

Admiral

Well-Known Member
This happened last week at the field, I think I was lucky it didn't catch fire in the helicopter.

This battery is just 12 months old, has always been Balance charged at 1C and in reality has probably only had 25 cycles, it was very slightly puffed, but what I would consider no risk.
First indication I had was when the helicopter started to loose power, landed and removed battery noticed that it was hot, but still only slightly puffed, over the next half hour it puffed like this (it was well away from us on a concrete pad).
IMG_3714 (Medium).JPG IMG_3715 (Medium).JPG

PS. Just for interest just tested the battery cell #3 had completely failed the other 5 all showed about 35% charged.
 
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RandyDSok

Well-Known Member
Wasn't that the dude that always brought the 15" Cub to the field? I think that is the size. Dude flew that thing like a boss. I didn't know he lost everything in a fire. That sucks.

I thought it was a wider wingspan than that... but yeah, that's him. I didn't think he lost everything like Louis did, but the garage was damaged pretty badly.
 

Tony

Staff member
It may have been wider, I just remember that thing was small and holy hell twitchy lmao. But that dude flew that thing like a boss!
 

Biker

New Member
Interesting, never thought about removing the seal. I am using the ammo box and will remove the seal. Thanks
 
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