Li-ion & Nimh

[NSRCA Canada-West]

Gentlemen,

I agree with you Lee. Risk is an element of this hobby that cannot be overlooked. The human process is prone to mistakes (I know!), not only in construction & development of technologies but also in the actual application. 

I also realize it's never just one thing that causes problems but likely a chain of events that leads to an end result. Was the battery & associated circuitry examined for fault? Was it charged correctly? 
Was it hooked up correctly? What component failed and why? 

Not to underscore the resultant fire & damage but what specifically led to this result. I am planning on using Lithium-ion for my airborne power and welcome constructive comment.

Thanks,

Dave Reaville
NSRCA I-VP Canada-West District 
NSRCA 3156
MAAC 56510
http://members.shaw.ca/nsrcawestdistrict 

Lee wrote:
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lee Davis 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 9:56 AM
  Subject: RE: Li-ion & Nimh


  Calculated risk is the nature of our hobby.  Every time we fly a plane we're
  betting that we will bring it back in one piece.  A lot of things can go
  wrong and eventually do.

  Acceptable risk is not a constant; it varies from person to person.  I use
  Nickel-Metal batteries in my transmitters and Lithium-Ion (not
  Lithium-Metal) batteries in my Pattern planes.  I am aware of the use and
  charging requirements for these types of batteries and for me, the benefits
  outweigh the risk.  Would I recommend them to everyone?  No.

  It should be mentioned that one can burn just about any battery, even
  Nickel-Cadmium.  We used to sometimes torch Nicads when I was into serious
  electric car racing.  Overcharging was the norm and every so often we got a
  little carried away.  Any shorted battery can quickly become the equivalent
  of a soldering iron.

  There's at least one horror story, sometimes many, associated with just
  about every component we use.  If we had any brains we wouldn't be doing
  this, a fact that only women appear to be aware of!

  Lee Davis
  Piedmont Models
  http://www.piedmontmodels.com/



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