Who Leaves Their Batteries Unattended to Charge?

InfinitusEquitas said:

I'm curious what charger are you using?

My thermal monitor consists of my pointer and middle finger

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I have a Hyperion Duo 2 180W+180W charger, same charger I use for my RC batteries, think it'll charger everything under teh sun except for alkalines.

Everything but Li-Po are charged normally, whenever, wherever.

However, I used to do a bit of RC heli flying as a hobby, and as a result I am pretty cautious with the batteries used in that-- I charge all Li-Po batteries in a LipoSack (kevlar sack built to contain exploding LiPos). Although that's because I'd rather not have my batteries blow up, damaging everything and emitting extremely toxic smoke...

They can't smell any worse then Nitro.

Helios said:

I still never leave them charging overnight or when I am out of the house for even an errand. Am I being too paranoid? What do you guys do?

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I don't think your being paranoid at all, i do the same thing.

i don't even let them charge when im not in the room, checking temps every now and then if the cell has been depleted to around 3V.

I have faith in my chargers (Soshine) and some of the high end batteries from sanyo and panasonic, but am weary of the ultrafire and other Chinese brand batteries.
I did have a plan to phase them out of my battery supply eventually...

One night I was charging some high end batteries and they where ~90% complete and the charger flashes green. I fell asleep when it was flashing and 30mins passed and i woke to see them fully charged and i took them out and unplugged the charger.

That's the closest ive come to leaving them unattended.

Hmm well maybe I am too loose with my charging habits.

I used to monitor my batteries as they charge, never leave unattended, check voltage multiple times, and all that good stuff but that didn't last all too long.

I never leave "xxxxfire" type batteries unattended, but a trusted battery on a trusted charger I often charge overnight or while out of the house. I really don't see a point not to. My cell phone has a li-ion battery and I charge it overnight in no special case with no fear of it exploding. My laptop has many li-ion cells in it and I don't treat it special. Many of my other electronics have li-ion or li-po and I've never given a second thought to simply plugging them up. What's the big difference, as long as your not using crappy batts and chargers?

I do !

I trust the "brand name" cells I am charging . . .

and have a very reliable 5 amp charger:



LarryDFW

A variable power supply seems like it would be very useful. Might have to get one after I move.

If the cells are 1300mA or higher that is fine considering that would be a 1C charge rate or less...

I mean if you reference my Rc packs I charge all of them at 5A but then again they are 5000mAh 20C+ packs.

benmwv said:

...
I really don't see a point not to. My cell phone has a li-ion battery and I charge it overnight in no special case with no fear of it exploding. My laptop has many li-ion cells in it and I don't treat it special. Many of my other electronics have li-ion or li-po and I've never given a second thought to simply plugging them up. What's the big difference, as long as your not using crappy batts and chargers?

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The main difference is the protection circuitry built into those battery packs that are in your devices. Single cells have no protection circuitry, or basic over-current/over-discharge protection circuitry, nothing like the packs in your laptop, which include at least 2 thermal sensors, a temperature-sensitive circuit breaker, controllers that keep track of cell counts and individual cells' voltage history, in addition to over-current/over-discharge protection.

And Larry, I'm appalled! What if (I know, hypothetical what-ifs are for pessimists) a component in your PSU went bad? Do you trust every single component that is inside of that? Sometimes it is nice to have a backup safety device, even if it is just you staying aware that you have cells charging and to go check their temperatures with your "biological temperature sensors" from time to time. I trust Sanyo way more than the StartFire brands, but it's still Lithium chemistry. This is an extreme analogy, but just because you use a better brand of dynamite, doesn't mean you can treat them like firecrackers. (Hmm, sounded better in my head... Stupid head....)

*steps down from his soapbox*

BShanahan14rulz said:

And Larry, I'm appalled! What if (I know, hypothetical what-ifs are for pessimists) a component in your PSU went bad? Do you trust every single component that is inside of that? Sometimes it is nice to have a backup safety device, even if it is just you staying aware that you have cells charging and to go check their temperatures with your "biological temperature sensors" from time to time. I trust Sanyo way more than the StartFire brands, but it's still Lithium chemistry. This is an extreme analogy, but just because you use a better brand of dynamite, doesn't mean you can treat them like firecrackers.

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After doing over a thousand "cell charging cycles" in my lab (checking with my temp sensors) . . .

I completely trust my Extech Power Supply and Sanyo single cell charging . . .

more than the laptop electronics, and three cell series-configuration of various laptop batteries.

(StartFire cells should be watched constantly .)

LarryDFW

See, Larry's a pro. He knows not to charge cells in series. Thousands of cell chargings of experience, too! However, I still wouldn't recommend the users of this board leave their cells unattended. Not everyone knows the difference between quality and crap.

Perhaps appalled was too strong of a word. I don't doubt your charging practices at all, I just don't want "n00bs" getting the wrong idea and trusting their TrustFire to not create an ultra fire.

What if I have to charge the cells in series?:na:

Kmor2004 said:

What if I have to charge the cells in series?:na:

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In this case the best option is to buy a Balance charger.

In addition, battery shown in your picture allows this balanced charge.

Thank you for elaborating Piferal, but I was being sarcastic, although for someone who didn't know this or didn't realise it, they would know now.

^ Haha, no problem, I missed your sarcasm

And as you say, if someone did not know, now yes.

bugattidude said:

I usually check in on mine every once in a while. if I'm gone I'll ask someone else to check on them.

I might be paranoid too... i put the whole thing in an aluminum box just in case something goes wrong.. I'd rather have the box ruined than my house burned down

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If the battery explodes, the whole thing becomes a pressure bomb... Probably better to use one of these Fireproof LiPo Lithium Polymer Battery Safety Guard Bag - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

I always check on my batts while they're charging