Charging concerns/questions with NMP Lithium Ion batteries

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

I personally do not use the technology for RC applications. 

I have heard from several sources ( the AMA's safety warning notwithstanding) 
about either misapplication of the techology causing problems in RC set-ups 
or, as in the case with Cameron's home fire, a fault in the charging circuit 
causing the problem. 

Either way, my argument is that the technology can be made far safer and I 
cited the simple example of phones and cameras, both in extremely wide use. Read 
that as extreme liability exposure
 for the respective companies offering those products for general 
consumption, to the truly uninitiated, John and Joan Q. Public. Yet problems due to the 
technology in these applications are essentially a nonissue. That's my point.

I don't buy the argument that the cost is prohibitive. I would bet $$ to 
donuts that what is needed to make a safe product has already been invented. More 
than that, in regard to cost, it seems to me we patterndudes, will pay alot to 
get a better mouse trap. Heck look at what some pay to save two ounces

MattK


> Subj:Re: Charging concerns/questions with NMP Lithium Ion batteries 
> Date:5/10/2004 12:34:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time
> From:JOddino at socal.rr.com
> Reply-to:discussion at nsrca.org
> To:discussion at nsrca.org
> Sent from the Internet 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm guessing that you don't really know if there is a bigger problem in the 
> R/C industry vs. other applications.  There hasn't been in my neck of the 
> woods.  There will be when we start powering our models with them, but I don't 
> believe operating our R/C systems with Li-Ion poses a high risk.  
> I do believe that the company that has given Lithiums a bad reputation is 
> the one that added the charge circuitry in the packs and it was the 
> implementation (not the concept) of that circuitry that caused the problems.  I assume 
> it has been corrected.  I also believe that it takes some level of learning to 
> avoid accidents but that is not unusual for modelers.  There are many 
> dangers in our hobby.  So If someone doesn't feel up to the learning process, stick 
> with what you know.
> Jim  
> 
> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: Rcmaster199 at aol.com 
>> To: discussion at nsrca.org 
>> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 7:37 PM
>> Subject: Re: Charging concerns/questions with NMP Lithium Ion batteries
>> 
>> 
>> I have tried to stay out of most of this discussion but something is 
>> gnawing at me. I have asked this question before, but don't believe I have gotten 
>> an answer. Maybe no one on the list knows 
>> 
>> Since Li-ion and Li-poly technology is widely used in cameras and cell 
>> phones, and these are recharged all  the time (in the home and without special 
>> power supplies like separate 12 volt sources and such) with extremely safe 
>> circuitry, why is it that the folks who offer these same battery types to us, 
>> use charging circuitry that isn't so bullet proof???
>> 
>> Certainly currents and voltages are different in some applications, but the 
>> chemistry is the same. And Lithium metal will burn with ferocious intensity 
>> whether 20 grams are exposed or 10 times that amount. The heat is enough to 
>> burn your plane or house either way.
>> 
>> Matt K
> 

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