Dumb LiPo Question

[HPIguy]

I'm pretty sure I already know what the answer to this one is, but I'll give it a shot anyway. I have a 3s lipo that is puffed (not bad though), but only on one surface, and it's a soft case. Any lipos I've ever had puff did it on two of the four sides of the pack, basically what would be considered the top and bottom as it would be laying in a battery tray. This one is only puffed on the top, and is perfect on the bottom, and no tell tale bubble gum smell either . So I ask you guys, is it shot and unsafe, or just an oddity?

 

[frickenjoey]

If I can get it to balance I will still use it. But once they refuse to balance then I call them shot. I have had several packs that would puff after a hard run then go back down too. But try to balance it and see what happens.

 

[HPIguy]

I'll try that and see what happens, thanks Joey.

 

[duramax47]

I have a dumber ?, whats a puff what does it mean?

 

[2revo1maxx]

It's the next best thing to a lipo explosion/fire.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

A puff means it is beginning to slightly swell.

 

[broken_civic]

i have a 2s lipo that puffed on one side as you're stating. It still balances/charges fine. I can also still run it. However, i have lost some punch. You can tell that it isn't pulling the amps it should when you punch it.


In your case, I think you'll still be able to run it, however the lipo is going bad.

 

[duramax47]

so if you have a puff sounds like its time to get a new lipo? And how do you properly despose of the old one.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I would say yes. A year or so ago, i would have said no, run it till it fails, but with the low price of lipo batteries these days, i wouldnt risk it.

 

[HPIguy]

^^Yeah, I'm with Alpine, I'm not going to risk all the work that went into a rig because of a $50 battery.

It's toast BTW, two cells showing 4.2v, and one at 3.7. We're gonna destroy it later today.