[NSRCA-discussion] Battery puffing question?

[Stuart Chale]

As lipos get older and weaker (we then push them harder) they will tend 
to swell a bit when hot but should return to normal when cool.  If they 
stay puffed up then at least 1 cell has gone bad.  I have been told that 
cells only puff when they are flown to too low a voltage.  If always 
kept at 3.6/3.7 per cell at the end of the flight, 80% or so of usable 
power, then they should not puff.  They still may weaken and fail but 
shouldn't puff up.  Are you sure that you charged the pack before 
flying?  That would be the quickest way to go well below the safe 
voltage limit.  Flying 2 flights without recharging :)

Stuart Chale


Anthony Abdullah wrote:
> I have a Zippy-H 2200mah 3S pack that I use in a small electric plane. I was flying it today and it the plane lost power pretty quickly. I landed and noticed that the battery had puffed on me. It was warm to the touch but not hot. I let it cool but it is still a little puffy almost like a ziplock bag with a little air in it.
>
> Question: Should I try to cycle the pack or just chuck it and move on? Are Lipos kaput once they puff or can they still be used? I didn't abuse the pack and it barely flew long enough to warm up.
>
> Thanks for any info and suggestions.
> Anthony
>
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