cannonball2
Well-Known Member
As of recent with the appearance of the larger amp hour Lipo packs their use in Ebiking is becoming more attractive and widespread. There is a lot of controversy surrounding their safety. Some valid, some not. We have all heard horror stories about fires and for sure fires can happen with this chemistry when improperly handled. The point of this thread is to discuss these batteries in all aspects. Selection, use, charging, storing and disposal. Also the various hardware for charging.
I have asked Lungcookie to offer his input. He is a wealth of info on the subject as well as the hardware. He seems to have a link to anything! He pointed out to me the excellent threads over at Endless Sphere. Indeed there are and I suggest visiting there and reading. I felt it would be nice to have a similar thread with in this forum and present it in simple hands on terms. So here we go.
Ask questions, submit ideas, discuss needs for a specific build, what ever.
These batteries offer the greatest power density for the weight/money I see no reason not to use them in our hobby. BUT safety in using them is a MUST!
The basics are pretty simple:
Don't charge over 4.2v-EVER!
Don't discharge under 3.0v or the pack will likely be killed. For best pack life stay over 3.5v for the LVC.
DONT charge a HOT pack you are asking for trouble if you do. Let em cool first.
Don't try to "trick" charge an undervolted pack. Trust me its done for, and the results can be news worthy.
Use only equipment meant for the Lipo chemistry
These packs for max life should not be left fully charged but in a storage voltage. Don't charge them if you are not going to use them say in 24hrs. Lipo chargers have a cycle to bring them to storage voltage.
Keep your eye on puffed packs, I dispose of them. This is caused mainly by exceeding the C rating(common with R/C heli flyers, I have first hand experience). This is not going to be an issue with the mild amperages in ebiking, but any puffed cell is suspect. Can be caused by damage, and age also. If a pack has seen impact as in a bad drop or crash. Isolate it in a fire proof manner and observe it for an extended period.
Store packs in a fire proof container and charge on something besides the kitchen table. Something that is likewise fire proof, I prefer a large earthen wear dish, like under a large flower pot. Charging in metal spooks me.
ALWAYS monitor charging, don't leave or go to bed trusting the charger to handle it. That's another news worthy situation.
Use a pack checker to monitor the overall packs condition the individual cells and their overall balance. Charging a pack with grossly unbalanced voltage is another bad deal. The cells should remain with in a few % points of each other.
These are the basics. Its not as complicated as it sounds. A good charger will handle most of the condition checks and safely charge, but the situation is only as safe as you make it!
Add to or correct anything I have mistakenly stated.
I have asked Lungcookie to offer his input. He is a wealth of info on the subject as well as the hardware. He seems to have a link to anything! He pointed out to me the excellent threads over at Endless Sphere. Indeed there are and I suggest visiting there and reading. I felt it would be nice to have a similar thread with in this forum and present it in simple hands on terms. So here we go.
Ask questions, submit ideas, discuss needs for a specific build, what ever.
These batteries offer the greatest power density for the weight/money I see no reason not to use them in our hobby. BUT safety in using them is a MUST!
The basics are pretty simple:
Don't charge over 4.2v-EVER!
Don't discharge under 3.0v or the pack will likely be killed. For best pack life stay over 3.5v for the LVC.
DONT charge a HOT pack you are asking for trouble if you do. Let em cool first.
Don't try to "trick" charge an undervolted pack. Trust me its done for, and the results can be news worthy.
Use only equipment meant for the Lipo chemistry
These packs for max life should not be left fully charged but in a storage voltage. Don't charge them if you are not going to use them say in 24hrs. Lipo chargers have a cycle to bring them to storage voltage.
Keep your eye on puffed packs, I dispose of them. This is caused mainly by exceeding the C rating(common with R/C heli flyers, I have first hand experience). This is not going to be an issue with the mild amperages in ebiking, but any puffed cell is suspect. Can be caused by damage, and age also. If a pack has seen impact as in a bad drop or crash. Isolate it in a fire proof manner and observe it for an extended period.
Store packs in a fire proof container and charge on something besides the kitchen table. Something that is likewise fire proof, I prefer a large earthen wear dish, like under a large flower pot. Charging in metal spooks me.
ALWAYS monitor charging, don't leave or go to bed trusting the charger to handle it. That's another news worthy situation.
Use a pack checker to monitor the overall packs condition the individual cells and their overall balance. Charging a pack with grossly unbalanced voltage is another bad deal. The cells should remain with in a few % points of each other.
These are the basics. Its not as complicated as it sounds. A good charger will handle most of the condition checks and safely charge, but the situation is only as safe as you make it!
Add to or correct anything I have mistakenly stated.