Charging concerns/questions with NMP Lithium Ion batteries

[Mike Hester]

Amen to that, Ed.

And Cameron, the word is out there. Unlike 2 years ago, people now know (at
least on this list) of the POTENTIAL hazards lithium batteries can cause.
That is all that can be done from our perspective, and perhaps all that
needs to be done. Anyone that knows the risks and uses these batteries
should at least take some precautions, and that's all you can really do.

I choose to not use them, because personally the risks outweigh the
benefits. Let's take a 2 cell, L-Ion receiver pack. It weighs about 2.5
ounces. You need a regulator, so now we're at about 3 ounces or thereabouts.
if you use a 4 cell duralite plus, it actually weighs MORE than a 2000 mah
NiMH pack.

A NiMH 2000 mah pack weighs 4.7 ounces and has roughly the same power. There
are differences of course, but ROUGHLY it's the same power. Maybe you can
get 10 flights opposed to 9 with a NiMH? Whoopity doo.

So, for all of the hassle, the risk, we save a whopping 1.7 ounces. Bro I
can sand that difference off my plane.

Super duper intellicharge 2000 or wth-ever, it just isn't worth it to me for
1.7 ounces. And usually I run a SR 1100, which weighs 3.8 ounces, so now
we're only talking less than an ounce, but slightly more power. I think I'll
just charge more often and be happy about it.

-Mike
P.S. Troy aren't you sponsored by Central Hobbies? Just curious, not like it
matters =)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed Miller" <edbon85 at optonline.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 6:08 PM
Subject: Re: Charging concerns/questions with NMP Lithium Ion batteries


> Ok, what built in "safety devices" does the dedicated charger have to
ensure
> that, in the event it has a component failure, it does not overcharge the
> Lithium batteries ?? What built in safety device can I build into an
> airframe to ensure that  normal day to day flight rigors does not in any
way
> compromise the integrity of the Lithium cell to the point it could vent ?.
> All current battery technology can cause a fire if certain circumstances
are
> present or created, it just seems to me the intensity of a lithium cell
fire
> far exceeds what we as modelers can normally safe guard for. My family and
> home are worth far too much to risk losing so that I can play model
> airplanes. I use nicads and NimH batteries, never charge overnight while
we
> sleep, charging only when I am present in the shop or in the car on the
way
> to the field. You need to see a home with all it's possessions, memories
and
> history burn to it's foundation to truly understand the devastation fire
> causes. Material loss is a distant second to the emotional loss suffered
by
> a family dealing with a fire tragedy.
> Ed M.


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