Is this a safe way to charge LiPo batteries?

teslanv

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Bellevue, WA - USA
Brinkman Smoker with lid for the "fireproof container"

Smoker inside garage, which is separated from my house.

50W charger, so VERY low charge rate. I usually charge overnight.

Anything I could do safer, other than watching it the whole time?

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Perhaps a smoke alarm and cordless door chime could mingle over a light ale. You could fit the optional temperature sensor too. I'm sure that has some purpose.
 
I'd say it's fairly safe as I've been charging mine on a wooden computer desk in my computer room for over 3 years now. But I usually don't go to sleep while charging.
 
teslanv said:
Anything I could do safer, other than watching it the whole time?
teslanv said:
I usually charge overnight.

Yeah, don't do this! :shock:

teslanv said:
50W charger, so VERY low charge rate.
Get a better/faster charger and stay close.
 
A few things to remember. A good, well cared for battery doesn't usually just burst into flames.

So making sure you don't ding, drop, or overdischarge the packs is the starting point. Then sort out any cells that don't behave right. That's your primary safety. Wes is charging safe, but I would get something more fire resistant than wood to put on top of the desk. A piece of cement tile backer board or a large tile is not that expensive.

After that, I'd move that smoker just a few more inches from the bench. Look above too, in case the lid won't stay on it. Try to put the smoker where it wont ignite something else nearby if he lid comes off. You can live through smoking up your garage, but lighting other things in the garage is to be avoided at all costs. You might not make it out of the house if it burns in the night.

Smoke detector in the room is good, but you won't hear it from the bedroom.

The best suggestion already said, ASAP, get a faster charger so you don't have to go to bed with it still running a charge. It's not good to sleep while charging, just like its not good to leave a candle burning in the house and go to bed.
 
I store my lipo in a smoker like that. My concern with that style is that they are made with three pieces that simply sit on top of each other. I worry that the center section might fall over if a pack goes boom. It's fairly heavy so it's might not be a problem but I'm always keeping my eyes open for a better enclosure.
 
Smoke detector going in today. I might be able to link it to my house smoke detectors so if one goes off they all go off.

I've been experimenting with bulk charging by using a 240w 48V meanwell and I keep a close eye on it when I do that, but it still seems pretty slow at that. I need to find a faster (higher-wattage) RC charger, I suppose.

Would the same "Do not charge overnight" rule apply to the 18650 laptop cell packs i have as well or are those safer?
 
So what does the temp sensor do? I thought it cut power in relation with heat. The only safety system present, yet it gets totally ignored. Is it just for ni-cads or something?
 
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