Taking board on a flight

[farrerzack]

I am going to St. John Island at some point this year and would love to take my board with me. I've read up quite a bit on this and have gathered some information, but was wondering if anyone has any experience or tips to share about taking a DIY eboard on a flight. I know that no matter what, the Lipo batteries have to go with me as carry on's, and ideally I would like to take the board itself on as a carry on as well. Is there any way to make it easier for the TSA? Should I just check the board itself (obviously I would get a protective case for it) ?

 

[torqueboards]

I haven't done it yet but your packs in total have to be less than 100wh. You might need to purchase a 6S 4000mah (22.2v * 4ah = 88.8Wh).

6S 5000mah (22.2v * 5ah = 111Wh) so in this case usually you can't take this pack with you unless it's a plane or flight that accepts up to 160wh. You might want to check for your flight company on their regulations on batteries.

I would suppose I would remove my pack and seal the ends with electrical tape and tape it so the wires aren't dangling. That way it has no chance of a short while in flight.

They won't let you take much more then that unfortunately for hazardous reasons.

 

[dnmun]

they can deny and seize it for no reason also. then you miss your flight and spend all that time being interrogated by the federal officers. they get promoted by taking actions to 'protect the public' and your arguments won't be worth squat.

 

[farrerzack]

I haven't done it yet but your packs in total have to be less than 100wh. You might need to purchase a 6S 4000mah (22.2v * 4ah = 88.8Wh).

6S 5000mah (22.2v * 5ah = 111Wh) so in this case usually you can't take this pack with you unless it's a plane or flight that accepts up to 160wh. You might want to check for your flight company on their regulations on batteries.

I would suppose I would remove my pack and seal the ends with electrical tape and tape it so the wires aren't dangling. That way it has no chance of a short while in flight.

They won't let you take much more then that unfortunately for hazardous reasons.

I found this online: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/passenger_info/media/faa_airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf which like you said describes the 100 wh limit. What Im wondering is whether they count each pack as it's own battery (which I assume they would), as I use 2 3s packs in series to run my board, meaning I would be carrying two 55.5 wh battery packs with me as apposed to one 111 wh battery

 

[torqueboards]

Looks like your right. Supposedly, up to 2 batteries each battery can be up to 100Wh.

 

[sl33py]

I've always wanted to take my board with me, but a bit paranoid about the potential for a trumped up renta-cop (TSA) deciding to be jerks. I just flew recently and was reprimanded for "trying to circumvent" security (by covering my watch as walked through metal detector). In the TSA Pre-check line.

Would love to take my board, but i'd have serious issue if they tried to take it. I would print the pdf from faa. Wonder if there is a TSA equivalent to take as well. Nothing like them deciding not to recognizing it.

Reading through it again - what's up with the "external charger" section:

Q2. What kinds of batteries does the FAA allow in checked baggage?
A2.
Except for spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also allowed in checked baggage. The batteries must be protected from damage and short circuit or in stalled in a device. Battery-powered devices—particularly those with moving parts or those that could heat up—must be protected from accidental activation. Spare lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer batteries are prohibited in checked baggage—this includes external chargers

How would one re-charge your batteries if you can't check or carry on your charger?

 

[sl33py]

TSA Blog from 2013:

Batteries Allowed in Carry-on Bags:

Dry cell alkaline batteries; typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button sized cells, etc.
Dry cell rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCad).
Lithium ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium).
Consumer-sized lithium ion batteries [no more than 8 grams of equivalent lithium content or 100 watt hours (wh) per battery]. This size covers AA, AAA, 9-volt, cell phone, PDA, camera, camcorder, Gameboy, and standard laptop computer batteries.
Up to two larger lithium ion batteries (more than 8 grams, up to 25 grams of equivalent lithium content per battery) in their carry-on. This size covers larger extended-life laptop batteries. Most consumer lithium ion batteries are below this size.

My hesitation is how the two rules from FAA and TSA don't exactly line up perfectly... Giving the TSA person the ability to make the judgement call. Not what i'd consider their strongsuit. I'm being mean/snarky, and i'm sure that there are TONS of awesome TSA folks out there, but it seems like i haven't met them when i travel...

 

[galp]

I've seen some oddly sized packs just for this purpose. They were officially labeled as 3S and 3000mAh by the company but in the size matter they were more like 10S 5000mAh. You just have to know the right people.

 

[LockH]

"know the right people" (and maybe mislabel battery pack size/weight :wink: "by accident")

Assuming pack(s) are carefully packed in padding and packaging.