Over discharged LiPo

[Tankbear]

Right guys I accidently left a tank on and it’s discharged my LiPo and in doing so split the hard case as one of the cells has puffed up. Does anyone know if it is worth trying to revive it?

I’ve read numerous forums which say charge it up in NiMh mode to get voltage up to 6v then use regular balance mode. And loads with puffed up packs and still working fine. But as far as I know and read once the vaccum pack puffs up the internals are no longer kept in place the cell runs the risk of the anode and cathode touching each other causing the obvious short circuit, heat, fire.

Think I should try a revive or maybe split the pack bin the puffed cell and keep the other cell for other applications?

Ian.

[Phil]

I use lipos a lot, flying RC Helis.

Number one, never discharge lips lower than 3.7V this is the average voltage; LiPo can be charged up to 4.20V per cell, never leave or charge Lipos in any RC models.

Don't try and charge it if it is puffed or in the state you have describe it can catch fire, basically it F**k!

If you use Lipos you will need a low voltage alarm. (I use a timer in my Heli, should have about 30% left in your lipo)

[Tankbear]

Hi Phil

I wasn’t aware of not discharging below 3.7v per cell I thought was fine right down to 3v per cell. I use 5000mAh packs so to be fair I normally charge up once a month whether it has discharged or hardly used, and most of the time the charger only manages to put in between 2000-3000mAh so guess the batteries only getting 40-60% discharged.

The IBU2 I run has built in LiPo low voltage auto stop so no worries there. Just when I’m a numpty and not turn the tank off and leave for a few weeks.

Ian.

[Phil]

If I'm not going to fly within 2 weeks I put them onto storage charge, now winter is on its way and the weather is bad I'll store them in my cold garage.

I never charge them up in the house always in the garage, but where ever you charge you need to be around to watch them, just as a safety thing.

Look on Heliaddict, load of info on lipo charging safety etc: http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk