So, we've all heard the stories of lipos exploding. I'm sure we've all witnessed at least one or two Youtube videos on the phenomenon. If you haven't had it happen to you, then like me you might be taking it for granted how dangerous it really can be. My flying buddy (known as HoriAkuma 'round these parts) had it happen to him, luckily he was there when it happened and prevented what could have been his house burning down.
Build a convenient and safe bunker for charging your lipos on the cheap.
Ingredients:
- An ammo can $5-25 (depending on size and availability at your local surplus store)
- Zip ties $free-$3
- Grommets $free-$3
- Drill (Free assuming you have one)
- Drill bits (Also free assuming you have some)
Step 1:
Decide where/how you want your charger to be orientated with the ammo can, then mark your hole for feeding your wires through and drill for your grommet.
HotTip: If you have a step-up drill bit, it will make drilling this hole much much easier, if you don't just make sure you start small and use a progressively larger drill bit. I used a 3/4" grommet and the hole had to be 15/16", I would probably use 4-5 progressively larger drill bits for a hole this size. This helps the drill not work so hard and prevents binding.
Step II:
Insert your grommet, wrestle that piece of plastic into place. This will protect your wires from getting sliced by the metal. Its not exactly easy to get the grommet into place. You just have to strong arm it, some leverage from a flat-head screw driver might help.
Step III (optional):
Strap your charger to your box, great for portability and also saves space. There are undoubtedly slicker ways of achieving this, but I went for the utilitarian zip ties, since its simple, cheap and effective.
Decide where your zip ties will be most effective without obstructing the ports of your charger. Mark the spots to drill, then drill out a hole slightly larger than your zip ties.
Important Make sure you de-burr the holes. A chisel works well, a small round file also does the trick. Normally you could just use the drill to quickly drill in from the back side, but there probably won't be enough room in the ammo can for that.
Inside view of the zip ties. I had to use three zip ties for each strap.
Step IV:
Charge your batteries safely. For added safety you can also put your batts in a charging bag wich would add another layer of protection.
Have fun! Be safe!
Would make an in testing video if you fancy testing it for us.
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I really need to do something as I just charge on my desk, wonder if this is the solution.
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BOX WITH HOLES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcgfGHus5rA
AMMO BOX WITHOUT HOLES http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OuH017ic6uo#t=40s
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FYI, ammo boxes are pretty tough, they were designed to carry a lot of high explosive ammunition and keep it safe.
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Now I need to track down a ammo box of my own.. doh :) Great idea btw... especially for storing the Lipos and such. I think you could drill a few little holes near the top (but not on the top) that would make sure the box doesn't build up pressure.. but then again you should be more than good.. those boxes lock down nicely and even with a build up would vent pretty quick out of any holes.. which would probably just be where the lid attaches since I doubt it is air tight.
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If ever there might be a lipo that starts to burn, what I learned from the internet, these flames are VERY hot.
Some velcro would keep the charger attached to a smoking hot ammunition-box.
I would then prefer the zipties melting from the inside and the charger dropping next to the box.
Just my 2cts
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http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-1470-Digital-Cooking-Thermometer/dp/B00004XSC5
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Fill a plastic bag with sand and put that bag on top of the lipo.
If the lipo ever catches fire or just would become very hot, the bag will melt and the sand will drop on the lipo. As we all know, sand is the best way to extinguisch a lipo-fire and not fluids.
There might not be enough sand in a small bag, but it will be better then nothing.
Good idea about the temperature-alarm also.
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- LID OPEN = http://bit.ly/2m2tqBc
- CLOSED NO SEAL = http://bit.ly/2kGaxUe
- CLOSED WITH SEAL = http://bit.ly/2kTljlt
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