Never Leave A Lipo Unattended

[Fred Kaz]

This is what happened to me last night, I fell asleep at my desk while the battery was on charge, woke up to a room filled with smoke.  Could have killed us all

[TinTin]

Wow Fred. That could have been a very serious accident. 

[Fred Kaz]

Rang up Overlander as it was one of their batteries and charger that I was using.  Spoke to the MD and I have an appointment in the morning with them.

Got to take wants left of the battery and the charger up to them for testing.

It has took out 2 batteries that was at the side of it, left a burn mark on my transmiter, any cables near by have all gone.  Big burn mark on the table, plus some personal things that was on the table have gone up in smoke as well.

But at least me, helen and the baby are still alive.

Its put me right off batteries and I might even consider going Nitro (I know I don't like it but I can't have this happening again)

[james]

i have trex 600 nitro os 55 flybarless align servos jr8900 on tail and redline exhaust align governer and throttle servo flies like a charm want a seven hundred now lol

[Fred Kaz]

Update

Just had a phone call from Overlander,  The first offer was as follows:

Replace the charger even though in there words there is nothing wrong with it.  As for the batteries that went up in smoke. They wanted me to pay 60% of the value of the battery to replace it.  As for the other two which was on either side of that battery nothing is to be done.

I told them that I was going to take legal action against them, as I feel that the battery was the main culprit and that should also be replaced FOC.

They have now agreed to replace just the one battery and the charger.  Any other damage is tough.



I can tell you now I will never buy another Overlander battery again if that the responce that I get.

[The converted one]

I feel for you Fred...... I really do.


HOWEVER
A man of your intelligence is I'm sure aware as your title states aware that YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE A LI-PO UNNATENDED!!

This is the warning displayed on MOST and yes I say MOST of the li-po's on the market..   
The reason behind this is that Li-po technology is lets just say uncertain.  This is why they sell Li-po safety bags and there are hundreds of articles on li-po safety throughout the modeling world.
Ther are literally hundereds of cases where Li-po's have either exploded or set on fire.  They are no doubt leaps and bounds away from the old nicd's or nimh technology but this brings with it an inherant risk factor.

Most choose to either charge in li-po safe charge bags or metal tins/used ammo boxes etc.
I for one in all honesty don't.

But that said, I am extremely carefull when charging because of all the horror stories that I've heard.
I have had Li-Po's expand, set on fire, and even swell in extreme cold.  BUT
.....................I never leave them unattended.

As for legalities against Overlander mate............ I doubt very much you'd get anywhere.

Not having a go in any way shape or form I just merely wish to point out that LI-PO's
Should never be left unattended.

Glad your'e safe and well as it could've been very different mate.

[Fred Kaz]

Having calmed down from the phone call I got from overlander, I have come to the conclusion that there is no point taking any action against them.

Book it down to an experience, one which I don't want to go through again.  I am the first to admit that over the years I have become very complacent on how I charge my LiPo's.

My main complaint about this whole situation is that no one would say what was at fault.  Overlander are trying to blame me or the people who made the power supply, and the people who make the power supply are also blaming Overlander and me.

Like I said I know that I have become a bit complacent over the years, but have we all, not done the same in some way or another.

Just beware, that LiPo can bite back!!!!

[Terminator]

What a mess!  You should consider yourself lucky nothing worse happened Fred.  I'm not surprised overlander won't accept the fault, to do so would be admitting there device was unsafe and could've killed you!

I too have become complacent and often charge above the recommended C rating but always clear a space on the table and always balance. What C rating were you charging and was a balancer hooked up?

Can you claim on the household insurance?
 

[cyclops]

I always charge on my fireplace hearths which are tiled, both charger and batts on there.

[Fred Kaz]

What a mess!  You should consider yourself lucky nothing worse happened Fred.  I'm not surprised overlander won't accept the fault, to do so would be admitting there device was unsafe and could've killed you!

I too have become complacent and often charge above the recommended C rating but always clear a space on the table and always balance. What C rating were you charging and was a balancer hooked up?

Can you claim on the household insurance?
 

Was charging a 2200mah at 2 amp with the balance lead attached.  I might put a claim in to the insurance as the room could do with a lick of paint on the celing and the table has got a burn hole in it.  Also left a burn mark on my TX.

[The Shadow]

Can I ask which charger you were using and where you using a balancer and what C where you charging the batteries at.

[Fred Kaz]

Can I ask which charger you were using and where you using a balancer and what C where you charging the batteries at.

The chager is a Overlander Power RC-6S

The battery was a Overlander 3 cell 2200mah 25C

Was charging at 1C

[The Shadow]

Where you using balancer?

I generally charge at 0.7 C unless I'm on the way to the field when I will charge at 2C.  I always use a balancer and have not had any problems, I will even leave them charging unattended (and in the back of my car) but not again!!!!

Glad you're all ok though as when these batteries go up they really do go up fiercely.  (had a few 'experiments' shorting Li-Po's out).

PS we can fly everyday at BDMAC this week.

[The Mole]

PS we can fly everyday at BDMAC this week.

Thats cos its too windy and wet for planks 

[Fred Kaz]

Where you using balancer?

I generally charge at 0.7 C unless I'm on the way to the field when I will charge at 2C.  I always use a balancer and have not had any problems, I will even leave them charging unattended (and in the back of my car) but not again!!!!

Glad you're all ok though as when these batteries go up they really do go up fiercely.  (had a few 'experiments' shorting Li-Po's out).

PS we can fly everyday at BDMAC this week.

Yep, I was using a balancer.

Hopefully if the rain and wind stops will get in a few days.

Can anyone soldier some deans on a couple of batteries for me??