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Old 07-12-2012, 09:46 AM   #1
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Default Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

I hate to sound like a total noob, but after putting silicone around the wires in my hard case 2S Gens Ace LiPo to waterproof it, I've noticed a little bulging, or "rounding" on the top and bottom of the battery.

Voltages are perfect as I do a balance charge every time I run it and then a storage charge afterwards, carefully monitoring the voltage. Both sells are at 3.85V right now.

The battery doesn't even get warm while charging and has never gotten any hotter than it would during a normal run (it's summer in Florida, so it's hot as it is). It's stored in a LipoSack in my "man cave" which is always at 75* and very low humidity (45-50%).

Is this something I should be concerned about? At the most basic level, I assume it is just air not being able to escape, but I'd hate to let it go too long and end up with a fireworks show.

For comparison, I have three other Gens Ace LiPos just like this one minus the silicone and after about three or four cycles (same as the bulging one) they are just as they were the day I got them.

Thanks for the help, and again, sorry for the noob question.

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Old 07-12-2012, 10:17 AM   #2
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

Its an accident waiting to happen now. Most likely the tab seals are bad and letting air in, which starts to break down the goodies inside. Once air is inside, the battery can catch fire internally since the organic solvents used to wet the separator is very flammable and now in the presence of oxygen. Likely? Not very. Possible? Yes.

Toss it unless you like to gamble with your property.
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Old 07-12-2012, 10:39 AM   #3
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes View Post
Its an accident waiting to happen now. Most likely the tab seals are bad and letting air in, which starts to break down the goodies inside. Once air is inside, the battery can catch fire internally since the organic solvents used to wet the separator is very flammable and now in the presence of oxygen. Likely? Not very. Possible? Yes.

Toss it unless you like to gamble with your property.
Thanks for the reply sir! I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I've been looking at getting a smaller battery anyway - just needed an excuse.

Can't wait for my BR-XL to get here either!

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Old 07-12-2012, 11:10 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

Guess I'll be giving it a saltwater bath this weekend! Just watched the video so I at least know I'm not going to kill myself. I'm hesitate to discharge it so it will be going in at 3.85v/cell.

I guess I'll just have to leave my others untouched and not seal them up. Bummer.

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Last edited by Fink; 07-12-2012 at 11:16 AM.
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Old 07-12-2012, 12:43 PM   #5
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

Sealing them up is no problem, you just got a dud cell.

If you really want to have some fun, hook it up to 120v AC for some fireworks. Or you can just dead short the battery on itself to discharge it. Saltwater is safest though, so take my recommendations with a grain (or cup full) of salt.
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Old 07-12-2012, 02:41 PM   #6
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

A buddy of mine said he's had a few Gens Ace LiPos puff up on him but they've done just fine.

Very weird. I guess I'll hold onto it and just keep it in the LiPoSack under heavy watch. It performs just fine and balance charges at the same speed as the others - ~72min after a decent run. Weird.

I did go ahead and order two 2400mAh 2S and one 4000mAh just in case I need some more power. This will be seven total Gens Ace batteries.

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Old 07-12-2012, 02:49 PM   #7
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

They still work when puffed, but the IR is higher and there IS a greater chance it will catch fire. Up to you if you want to gamble it!
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Old 07-12-2012, 02:53 PM   #8
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Default Re: Hard Case LiPo Bulging After Waterproofing

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Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes View Post
They still work when puffed, but the IR is higher and there IS a greater chance it will catch fire. Up to you if you want to gamble it!
Odds are once I get the new batteries I'll dunk it.

A Main just got some BR-XLs in stock! Heck yeah!

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