lipoly charger query

[mournblade]

Hi guys,

I'm pretty new to airsoft again after an 8 year hiatus. The thing is, when I was very active sometime back, i was using Ni-cads. I will be getting a 11.4v li-poly batt for Jim's PPSH which I recently bought from him.

My concern is that I want to get a reliable charger for this as I have heard of li-poly batts bursting in flame when not properly charged. I have 2 kids at home and safety is my paramount concern.

I read that a charger with a balancer will safely charge said batt and avoid such a cook off from happening.

My question is, do you have any brand and type of charger for such a li-poly batt to recommend and would you know where I can buy one?

Any other advise for me on this point?

thank you!

[jimmiroquai]

Actually, lipos bursting to flame doesn't happen as often as you think...Almost to the point of it being an urban legend. It used to happen with the old old old 1st generation lipoly batts. Your celphone, laptop and most other electronic devices use lipoly batts.

Here are some tips:
1) use a charger with balancer. TU or bremenhouse or kong power are cheap brands for both the battery and the charger. Though you can still opt to buy the expensive smart chargers if you want.

2) NEVER discharge youe lipoly batt completely. This is what causes damage to the battery pack. This means that you should never leave it plugged to the gun. And if you notice your guns ROF dropping significantly, remember to stop and recharge your batt.

3) Don't leave it charging by itself. Charge time is usually more or less 2 hours only. Once the indicator lights are green, stop charging. Overcharging damages lipos too, but not as devastating as discharging them.

4) If you notice that your lipo batt back to start to swell...like albert's scary batt...it is a sign of damage. This doesn't mean it will explode or stop working...but i suggest you stop using it just to be on the safe side.

5) Lipoly batteries are more robust these days so you don't have to worry as much. And because they don't have memory like Nicds and NiMH, you can charge them on the fly. They're much smaller and pack a larger punch than the classic batts.

BTW, you can still use your nicds with the ppsh. Just test it first.

[labrador]

Thanks for the reminder jim. that scary battery is still in its steel box...swelling. since then, no other problems with lipoly.

[justinaquino]

Just to be on the safe side I got a smart multi-charger. Cost me 7k but it can smart charge lipoly, li-ion, nicad, ni-hi, and car batteries. its pretty useful because I can juggle the different kind of batteries that accumulate over time and if i get absent minded it automatically stops. Also it tells me the condition of my batteries after charge and can be programed to cycle which is supposed to repair some batts.

Anyway, Circle C's kids collection has a good price on TU li-poly bats about 25% cheaper than average market price. I got my 1800mA for 1500.

[jnmodeller]

Note re lipos if you smell a plastic baloon like or a smell similar to a nail polish put it away and never use it again thats it for your lipo.

[gman]

note too: the smart charger that's so expensive is because it's a multi-charger (it can charge different battery types). getting one that's specific to lipoly shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Only an arm. hahaha

[kalbs]

Firefox makes a decent one and I don't think it cost that much. Check with local shops

[mournblade]

Aug 9, 2010 14:44:27 GMT 8 jimmiroquai said:

Actually, lipos bursting to flame doesn't happen as often as you think...Almost to the point of it being an urban legend. It used to happen with the old old old 1st generation lipoly batts. Your celphone, laptop and most other electronic devices use lipoly batts.

Here are some tips:
1) use a charger with balancer. TU or bremenhouse or kong power are cheap brands for both the battery and the charger. Though you can still opt to buy the expensive smart chargers if you want.

2) NEVER discharge youe lipoly batt completely. This is what causes damage to the battery pack. This means that you should never leave it plugged to the gun. And if you notice your guns ROF dropping significantly, remember to stop and recharge your batt.

3) Don't leave it charging by itself. Charge time is usually more or less 2 hours only. Once the indicator lights are green, stop charging. Overcharging damages lipos too, but not as devastating as discharging them.

4) If you notice that your lipo batt back to start to swell...like albert's scary batt...it is a sign of damage. This doesn't mean it will explode or stop working...but i suggest you stop using it just to be on the safe side.

5) Lipoly batteries are more robust these days so you don't have to worry as much. And because they don't have memory like Nicds and NiMH, you can charge them on the fly. They're much smaller and pack a larger punch than the classic batts.

BTW, you can still use your nicds with the ppsh. Just test it first.

Hi Jim,

Ok, thanks. I saw a smart charger for 3.5k the other day which the salesgirl said was for lipoly batts and had a balancer. I am inclined to get this even if its is a bit more pricey just for my peace of mind. would this be ok?

also, thanks for the tip on using ni-cads. i'll have to get an adaptor though as the clips are bigger. my old big ni-cad was for the tokyo marui G3SG1 and i doubt if it will fit the stock batt cavity of the pupushka.

thanks for the hands on advise. really appreciate it.

[mournblade]

@justin: thanks for the tip, i may be visiting that place soon per your advice.

jnmodeller: got it- that smell should tell me a lot then! thanks.

@ kalbs :will do. my associate here uses that brand and he is very satisfied with it. thank you.

gman: i agree, better lose and arm than an arm and a leg