safety??

[mk351e]

so I see people talking about safety and things going up in flames or exploding. Am I missing something? I mean, as long as you don't short something, puncture a lipo, or overcharge or overdischarge, is there any danger with a high powered lipo BL setup? I saw people talking about these powerful systems going into the hands of the misinformed, and that worries me. I do however fear these things, which I think is good because it makes me likely to check everything ten times.

[jnev]

All this stuff has the capability to be dangerous, but none of it really is if you read the directions, ask questions here, and don't do anything stupid. It is good to check everything over many times.

I started out with a stock Rustler as my first rc, and slowly moved into powerful BL and lipo set ups. After the first two times running with lipo or charging them, etc, you get the hang of it and it really becomes quite easy to maintain all your lipo packs.

Just remember that if you are not sure on a set up of the charger or whatever it may be, just ask here, and we'll help you out.

[lincpimp]

As with anything, common sense is important to have. Problem is not everyone has it. So some people will have issues, that is just how it is. The rest of us will just go on being sensible! Or whatever.

Only a few things scare me, like carnies, you know circus folk, small hands and smell like cabbage. and nuclear war.

[MTBikerTim]

There is always a good chance thing can go wrong with this stuff. Common sense won't save you. If that was the case formula 1 would be safe and so would going to outer space.

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by MTBikerTim

There is always a good chance thing can go wrong with this stuff. Common sense won't save you. If that was the case formula 1 would be safe and so would going to outer space.

Well this is true, but we are playing with toy cars, not trying to visit mars.

My main point about common sense was things like not trying to drive a fast truck in a crowded area, not standing in front of the truck when it is coming at you at 40+ mph, not holding the tires and giving it full throttle. As far as lipo charging goes, there is plenty of info about how to do it properly. A fire extingisher is a good idea, that is for sure. I have one just outside the door to my rc room.

Jery, you make a good point about the money. Most do not consider saftey equipment a necessary tool, but it is. I learned the hard way to wear shoes and socks while playing, as I almost ripped my sandal off with an emaxx, and hurt my foot running after a smoking quark! Some precaution must be taken when doing anything, even if it is just checking the weather channel.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

How many people have either a fire blanket or fire extingisher where they keep the rc goods?

[jnev]

I don't have either... not even in the whole house...

[tc3_racer_001]

Originally Posted by jnev

I don't have either... not even in the whole house...

what about a smoke detector or similar? i think one of them beside your chargin station is a great idea :)

[jnev]

Originally Posted by tc3_racer_001

what about a smoke detector or similar? i think one of them beside your chargin station is a great idea :)

There are multiple (probably close to 10) smoke detectors in the house, but not a single in the garage... where the batteries are charged. Maybe I should change that...

[pipeous]

Smoke detectors themself are dangerous if you really want to get technical. look on the smoke detector. you will see the little radioactive sign. radioactive particles wrapped in a little foil pouch is what triggers the detectors. it is so unreliable, as most of you probably had one go off when cooking dinner, open the bathroom door after a hot shower etc.... they are supposed to be disposed of through special places too because of this.... did you know that deaths due to fires actually increased by almost 50% the first year smoke detectors were introduced to the public? people trusting an unreliable technology...

I have had worse luck with nmh batteries than I have lipos

[JERRY2KONE]

In truth we only need to fear the unknown, because we cannot predict or control what we do not know. The rest is about respect and common sense as linc stated. If you respect your gear and treat it accordingly you should be just fine. If you know the effects of a battery catching fire or exploding then you know how to pretect yourself from its effects. Keep a fire extinguisher somewhere in the house, but not in the same room. If something catches fire in that room how will you get to the extinguisher. Second make sure you store and charge your Lipos properly. I like the photo that I saw in the R/C home shops thread where one guy keeps his LIpos in a fire resistant document safe. That is a great idea and just one example of protecting yourself from possible catastrophy. There is enough information out there to know what the hazards are and use the brain that the good Lord gave you to take precaustions. Most of the accidents you here about, there is some guy standing there saying I should have known better. Of course you should know better. Your safety is your responsibility.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

Originally Posted by pipeous

Smoke detectors themself are dangerous if you really want to get technical. look on the smoke detector. you will see the little radioactive sign. radioactive particles wrapped in a little foil pouch is what triggers the detectors. it is so unreliable, as most of you probably had one go off when cooking dinner, open the bathroom door after a hot shower etc.... they are supposed to be disposed of through special places too because of this.... did you know that deaths due to fires actually increased by almost 50% the first year smoke detectors were introduced to the public? people trusting an unreliable technology...

I have had worse luck with nmh batteries than I have lipos

If you posted that on rctech I would of thought you were talking crap but may be correct, makes sense

[Arct1k]

Yup I have two small document fire proof safes - one for lipo and one for a123. They only cost 25 each at lowes - Always charge the lipos in a lipo sack...

With simple precautions the technology is pretty safe. Is it honestly worth the risk not to...

The way I look at it would you store a gallon on gas under your bed without taking some precautions?

[JERRY2KONE]

The problem is that we tend to look at the face value of purchsing protective gear that we know we should have. We would rather spend that money on more Lipos and high voltage ESC's, and press our luck that an accident will not happen to us. Then when it does it ends up costing us a whole lot more then that protective gear would have cost us up front. Can you believe that more than 60-70% of household fires can be prevented if we just take the time to check things before we leave our homes and if we also make sure that we have the proper protective gear that shoud be in every home like the fire extinguisher and smoke detectors.

That radio active dust that is in the smoke detector is only a problem if you open it up and mess with it. Plus I doubt that the radiation that is held in that tiny package is really that dangerous or strong enough to cause you any problems anyway. If you have any appliances that are powered by natural gas of patrolium fuels and you do not keep your CNO2 detetor active, you are just asking for trouble. carbon manoxide will kill you and you want even know it is coming. These things are common sense for most of us, but the responsibility is in your hands. Is it worth the gamble to avoid the protective measures that are required? If you have a wife and or kids I bet you would not think twice about it. Its your life.

[bl-is-future]

I have found never buy the cheap Chinese stuff. I had a lipo and charger off of ebay and needless to say it burst into flames and burnt a hole through my floor. This was not due to anything i did wrong, just poor technology in the charger i guess.