[NSRCA-discussion] Li-Po Question -- SAFETY!!!!

[AtwoodDon at aol.com]

The research I did says the chemical properties of a lipo break down on  
full discharge to a state where they are not environmentally harmful.   
However, if you don't agree, physically disposing of the discharge lipos in a  
environmentally 'safe' certainly will be the safest way to get rid of  them.  
 
Don
 
 
In a message dated 8/30/2009 8:00:17 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
chuenkan at comcast.net writes:

You do NOT "just throw rechargeable batteries into the  trash". 

Cadmium and lithium are heavy  metals that cause harm to biological systems 
when ingested improperly -- i.e.  from seeping into the water table from 
landfills.  Lithium is used in  SMALL QUANTITIES to treat some kinds of mental 
disorders, but that is under  rigid manufacturing and dosing conditions.  
Lead is also a heavy metal,  that is why there is an extra charge when one 
buys a car battery without a  "trade-in".  

I was in RadShack the other day, and we happened to  start talking about 
recycling these batteries -- they will take ANY  rechargeable battery except 
auto batteries, including our R/C NicCads and  Lipos, with no charge, and 
send them to a proper recycling center.  You  can also usually take them to 
local govt. recycling centers for no  charge.  Here in Oak Ridge, TN, every Wed 
and one Saturday per month the  center is open for all kinds of hazardous 
items -- old PCs and TVs, paint,  florescent bulbs, and on, and on.

PLEASE recycle - not because of  tree-hugging, but for human and animal 
safety...

At 10:16 AM 8/30/2009,  you wrote:

There are many ways to drain the battery down to  safe levels.  I have 
heard the lipos are 'safe' anywhere below 2V per  cell, however, I figure as 
long as I have something draining them, I just  leave them on the load until 
they are basically 'dead'.

For  anything up to 3 cells, I use an automobile tail light bulb.  Just  
solder 2 leads onto the bulb at the 2 contact points and clip the other ends  
onto the battery leads.  For a 5 cell pack, I would use 2 bulbs in  series.  
Put them in a safe area, clip the bulbs on and leave them for  a couple 
days.  Check the voltage from time to time and when it gets  down to about 
zero, just throw the battery in the trash.

I  tried the salt water bath approach and it didn't do anything for me.   
After a couple days, the voltage had declined very little so I took the  
light bulb approach.  Actually anything that puts a load on the  batteries will 
work.  A large resistor, light bulb, old brushed motor,  etc.

Don

In a message dated 8/30/2009 6:10:08 A.M.  Pacific Daylight Time, 
Snaproll4 at aol.com writes:

I have a Li-Po pack(5000) that  needs to be thrown away.  It does not 
appear to be physically  damaged, but I need to know about the voltage.  How low 
should I  discharge it and I how do I do that?  My TP charger would take it  
down to 3.3 volts/cell.



TIA.



Steve

 
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