Lithium Battery Q's
 

I own a Rustler with the Scorpion 3200 Li-po system (battery and charger) and in a bad crash I put a hole in the plastic housing on one of the cells :035: . I examined the cell and the area with the damage smells like denatured alcohol. Is that the electrolyte? If so how do I dispose of the pack? It has almost a full charge. I was thinking about getting the Peak Racing 4800 Li-po. I can purchase an adapter from fmadirect.com to charge the battery, but I don't want to spend the $170 if I don't have to.

I am very interested in Li-Ion batteries because they look a lot tougher, with M1 can charge in 5 mins (that's 4 times faster than the best time with the scorpion), and are safer. Now what I need to know is will the charger I have work? If not which charger and battery combo would you recommend? (Preferably with M1 tech.) Do the cells need a balancer like Li-Po's?

Also, if i were to purchase the Makita 18v would I have enough cells to make two 3s2p packs? If wrong please correct me. How would I configure these cells? I know how to do series, but how would I incorporate the other cells for parallel? I am completely lost on that wiring.
Thanks,
Chris

It sounds like the cells is bad. I am not sure how to dispose of it. If you are good at soldering could you take it apart and replace the bad cell.

It is a complicated pack though. It has a built in LVC uses a seperate charge connector and the last problem is that they dont sell single cells. Only packs.
But thanks anyway.
Chris

Some one said the type of cells they put in them. I don't remember right off hand. I understand on the lvc and such as well. It all has to hook to two tabs though. One pos and one neg.

there just the kokam 3200s

A punctured cell will smell very strongly,yes it is an alcohol smell.I'd keep that pack away from the house and in a bucket of sand until you can dispose of it properly.The Lipo manufacturers should have instructons on how to dispose of it.i think you discharge them to cut off voltage,then puncture a small hole in the cells then immerse them in salt water over night then throw it in the trash.I'd ask kokam or FMA to recommend exactly how to do it though,the puncturing part sounds hazardous to me.

I guess it would depend on how you did it gutav. I would stand back and shoot it. That away if it blew up it wouldn't effect you. sounds fun to shoot up a lipo cell. :D

wouldn't puncturing it cause a fire with the lithium and air causing ignition? I heard about putting them in saltwater but not puncturing them

I've heard some people say to put a small hole in and some people say not to.
I would have thought if you do it could ignite,especally with a metal object,wouldn't it short? That's why i' saying i'd ask FMA what to do.

EDit: OK here's the FMA safety blurbhttp://www.fmadirect.com/support_docs/item_1197.pdf on page 4 is the disposal instructions,says discharge then puncture 'the plastic envelope' so i think that means just the outer so the salt water can get to the tabs,and not the cells.

Here's a thread on wattflyer about lipo disposal,http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5840

Well gee. I like the idea of shooting it up. Get little target practice in to.
I think the salt water conducts the electricity better so it will drain the batteries to nothing.

STOP, call fma direct and see if they will repair the pack i believe they do it all the time, just 1 cell needs to be replaced, it may be cheaper than you think to get it fixed.

i like chc's idea sounds fun

Thanks guys i think I'll get it fixed because the other one is absolutely fine and the LVC and charger jacks are fine. Now about those LIthium Ion batteries I wouldn't mind owning one anyone have advice on those
Thanks for looking,
Chris
B.T.W. Shooting is almost a good idea.. IF I could afford it.