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

[Jay Marshall]

According to all the info I can find, LiPo batteries are not a problem to
the environment and can be disposed of in the trash after discharge:

http://www.thunderpowerrc.com/PDF/DISPOSAL-OF-LIPO-BATTERIES.pdf

 

Jay Marshall 

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Phil Spelt
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 11:00 AM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Li-Po Question -- SAFETY!!!!

 

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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