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

[Phil Spelt]

OK, I accept what you say about Lipos.  Bit I know NiCds are not to 
be tossed, nor cells with lead in them.  I still don't believe that 
lithium gong into the ecosystem is safe, however...I'll do mine my way.

At 11:22 AM 8/30/2009, you wrote:
>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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>
>--> There are only two types of aircraft -- fighters and targets.
>
>Phil Spelt, Webmaster & Past President, Knox County Radio Control 
>Society, Inc.
>        URL: http://www.kcrctn.com
>AMA--1294,  Scientific Leader Member, SPA--177
>       My URL: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/~chuenkan/
>       (865) 435-1476 v  (865) 604-0541 c
>
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>
>
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-->There are only two types of aircraft -- fighters and targets.

Phil Spelt, Webmaster & Past President, Knox County Radio Control Society, Inc.
        URL: http://www.kcrctn.com
AMA--1294,  Scientific Leader Member, SPA--177
       My URL: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/~chuenkan/
       (865) 435-1476 v  (865) 604-0541 c  
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