I think I fried a lipo battery pack. What do you think???

[CertifiedMike]

I ran my Granite yest. I think I ruined a battery.
I stopped short when I hit a tree root. The battery unplugged but didn't break loose, only slide forward in the tray. Velcro straps stays intact.
I plugged it back in, truck powered up and it ran great like it has been lately. I ran it until low voltage cut off on BLX esc cut voltage to 1/2 like usual... no reason for concern.

Today I plugged the batteries into the charger. (I have 2 identical 2800mah, 100c 3s packs) I was going to storage charge them. On one pack, cell #2 shows no voltage at all , #1 and 3 cells are normal.
Other pack is fine, charged fine.
I swapped channels on the Hota to verify the issue is in the pack somewhere.
I plugged into a low voltage alarm to recheck, cell 2 reads .11v and drops. Other cells at 3.4ish, normal.

There are no signs of obvious physical damage to the pack other than the heat shrink is torn. Its just the outer shrink wrap, not the cell wrap.

Did I just wreck a battery pack?

If theres a quick fix, I'd like to try it. These packs are a few years old but they've only been run a dozen times each.

They are small so can slide a bit in the tray. (I wrap them with foam and usually works well)
2800mah's are much lighter than the 9000mah packs I was running and the truck FLYS!!!!
It handles like a race buggy on crack! Semi controlled insanity!
I even get decent run times with the stock BLX100a/3200kv set up. Upwards of 10mins per pack.

I don't want to toss this pack unless I have to.

What do you think?

 

[Doom!]

Sounds like an internal connection might have come loose with the jolt of a sudden stop. You could unwrap it and take a look. If loose maybe resolder it. Not sure if I'm brave enough to try that, but then again, if your braver than I am what have you got to lose.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Sounds like an internal connection might have come loose with the jolt of a sudden stop. You could unwrap it and take a look. If loose maybe resolder it. Not sure if I'm brave enough to try that, but then again, if your braver than I am what have you got to lose.

I have a big yard and a fire pit. Sounds like a warm weather, OUTSIDE type project.
I never unwrapped a battery before. I suppose it won't hurt to have a look in there to see.
I have big shrink wrap already so I can put it together again afterwards.

 

[RustyUs]

If you don't feel comfortable with it... don't use it. I probably wouldn't trust it inside the house. I know what I'd do. I like to experiment. I'd charge that middle cell up to 3V, or at least try to get it there, and then continue onward with a balance charge to see what happens before I disposed of it properly. I do all my charging outside, but if inside I'd have to keep a very close eye on it while experimenting... have a plan to get it outside in a hurry. If it were to take a normal charge after getting the middle cell's voltage up, I'd have to cycle it a couple of times and keep it outside.

 

[CertifiedMike]

If you don't feel comfortable with it... don't use it. I probably wouldn't trust it inside the house. I know what I'd do. I like to experiment. I'd charge that middle cell up to 3V, or at least try to get it there, and then continue onward with a balance charge to see what happens before I disposed of it properly. I do all my charging outside, but if inside I'd have to keep a very close eye on it while experimenting... have a plan to get it outside in a hurry. If it were to take a normal charge after getting the middle cell's voltage up, I'd have to cycle it a couple of times and keep it outside.

I have about 8 miles of extension cord. The whole job can be done outdoors.
I'll stay by the fire pit in case I need to toss it.
I can't see how I could have actually drained that 1 cell all the way to zero without something shutting down or blowing up.

I am thinking to open the pack to look for a broken contact from that impact.

I agree. I'd at least like to learn something before I have to toss this and buy new.

 

[RustyUs]

I've opened up 2S packs before. They were easy to track down what went wrong inside.

If it was warm outside, I would maybe attempt looking inside a 3S pack.

I'm sure there is a video or two out there that will give some guidance on unraveling groups of lithium pouches.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I've had a few balance wires break in my years doing this; I've also repaired numerous with great success.

It DOES only take a split second to puff a lipo though.. ask me how I know

 

[CertifiedMike]

I've opened up 2S packs before. They were easy to track down what went wrong inside.
View attachment 269836

If it was warm outside, I would maybe attempt looking inside a 3S pack.
View attachment 269838
I'm sure there is a video or two out there that will give some guidance on unraveling groups of lithium pouches.

That 3s board is what I'm hoping to see. A simple wire resolder job!!!

 

[RustyUs]

I have about 8 miles of extension cord. The whole job can be done outdoors.
I'll stay by the fire pit in case I need to toss it.
I can't see how I could have actually drained that 1 cell all the way to zero without something shutting down or blowing up.

I am thinking to open the pack to look for a broken contact from that impact.

I agree. I'd at least like to learn something before I have to toss this and buy new.
View attachment 269837

You're right. Probably best to check for a connection break inside first before attempting a charge.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I just checked the weather. Looks like we'll have a warm day coming up in July...

 

[9x19]

I just checked the weather. Looks like we'll have a warm day coming up in July...

Sounds like the same seasons Buffalo NY has.... winter and July 4th!

 

[CertifiedMike]

Sounds like the same seasons Buffalo NY has.... winter and July 4th!

Its snowing again right now. Snow blower is acting up and I am feeling unmotivated to fix it. Its spring dammit!!!

 

[Doom!]

Its snowing again right now. Snow blower is acting up and I am feeling unmotivated to fix it. Its spring dammit!!!

Are your sure it's not summer? It was 90+ all last week, got a break this weekend, only mid 80's, I think your weather is broken.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Are your sure it's not summer? It was 90+ all last week, got a break this weekend, only mid 80's, I think your weather is broken.

I agree! Its been stuck on 'Winter' setting for like 2 years now and no one will come to the house to fix it when I call!