is my lipo dead?
 

Is my lipo dead? The plastic wrap started to bubble and its gotten fat. It just did that today and now Im worried its ruined. It is relatively new. I've had it since spetember. I run it in a vxl stampede, mamba maxed dark impact, and brushless revo. its 3s maxamps 5000. today it got really hot after not too long of running and is fat... it also smells burnt. Should it be dieing this fast? I thought lipos were good for a lot longer than a Nimh battery would be? I thought that I have been taking good care of it. I never let it get damaged. I balance charge it regularly and store it at about 40-45% charge. What is another lipo pack that i could get for less that is as good or better?

I guess I should now say that the pack looks absolutely fine. the swelling went down and it looks just like it did before... could the heat have made it swell like that?

That's wierd that the swelling decreased. If it isn't dead it's on the way out. They (lipos) don't do that unless there is a real problem. Watch it carefully the next time you run it to see if it happens again. If it does, then that cell is junk.

It looks completely normal now. Looks like nothing ever happened and no one could tell that it ever swelled up like it did...

yes i had this with a ma 5000 pack - after that one cell would always go much more OOB. AFter 20 or so cycyles it got bad and I got a new battery from MA under 3 yr warrantee

well i noticed a serious drop in performance near the end of the run as well. and the run didnt last near as long as it usually does. and it wasnt a drop like the voltage was too low. it still had punch and would wheelie with a hard grab on the throttle, but it wasnt 3s punch. ive never driven a 2s so i cant compare but... do you think MA will take it back?