LiPo CHARGING GRILL and battery explosion!

Please see Video Description. When the LiPo Battery exploded in the charging bag, the Charger burst sparks and flame from the LCD window too! Therefore, I decided to make a safer and easier charging setup that included protecting the charger too. I called it my LiPo Charging Station, as seen in my last video.
In this video I decided to test it for more peace of mind.
Note, I have small holes in the tool box lid to relieve the pressure. Always be aware of how and where you charge your LiPo batteries as LiPo accidents can happen at any time to anybody! LiPos are generally safe and only seem to catch fire when something goes wrong during the charging procedure. (See this example video courtesy of Rajucam Aerial Services ) • How to store LiPo batt...
Dave Herbert
~NightFlyyer~Tm
AMA L-8221
Background music: Http://www.bensound.com

[@SoCal780]

Nothing like a good old fashioned field test! I’ll bet your neighbors were like “what the hell is he doing now??” Lol! 🤣 I’ll bet that box stinks now too. That burnt electrical fire smell tends to linger. Great job, and you are right, you can never be too careful! PS Anyone that calls you a moron cannot possibly be very bright themselves! You are the smartest (and best!) friend that I’ve ever had!

[@NightFlyyer]

Those are very kind words Scott. Thank you very much. Semper Fi.

[@mountaindewdude76]

That's really great, Dave! Even if you spent $1000 on something to charge your batteries, and then had one blow up, that $1000 and the loss of a charger and battery is MUCH better than the loss of a house. I like to see videos like this. Ive been using a metal toolbox, as well, for a few years now. Thankfully nothing has ever gone wrong but....you just never know. Take care!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. As you know, I agree with you, as loosing a battery (which was already a loss if it blew up) and a charger or 2 is cheap insurance for sure, vs the house. Thanks again and happy flying.

[@Dick_Shinn]

Gee, Dave.... I thought for a second you REALLY were going to use a commode water tank! It already has two vents! :)! I've enjoyed your well thought-out, developed and presented videos for nearly 12 years, now!

[@NightFlyyer]

LOL. Thanks very much Dick. I appreciate that very much!

[@dougkubash8673]

What great video Dave! After watching your video on the charging station I no longer charge my lipo batteries with the charger outside the the bag . I really like the 'charging grill' idea - you could even charge batteries outside the house. Thank You

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly Doug. I am glad to have inspired you. Happy flying!

[@beverke7]

Safety first, great vid Dave. I can perfectly understand after what you went through that you are very aware of any possible fire hazards. I also always monitor Lipo charging and have a fire extinguisher close by. Be safe and happy flying !

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly. I am happy you are being safe too. I always appreciate your comments.

[@marto2200]

Hi Dave thanks for doing this video. Very informative. I have only had one battery go off in my shed. My fauly as it was old and was going to throw it out and decided to keep the connectors. Simple just cut them off. Here's the mistake, couldn't find my side cutters so used the pocket knife that I had. Knife slipped nicked the lipo pack (3cell 2500mah) and it just went off, flames smoke the whole deal. Quick thinking dropped onto shed floor, bare concrete. Well it spun around and around throwing flames and smoke out like a roman candle. Shed door was open so kicked it outside and let it do its thing. Lesson learned. Have a huge respect for these batteries now. Keep them stored in ammo box in fire proof bag. Shall share your video to our clubs facebook site. Once again thanks Dave

[@NightFlyyer]

Hi Stephen. WOW, what a story you told! That is another good reason to be careful as you can with these Batteries. I am glad you managed to keep from burning yourself and your shed. I appreciate you passing this on to your members. If you watch the amazing video of the battery explosion (link in the video description box) you will see what happens to an ammo box. Thanks very kindly and happy flying. ~Dave

[@NightFlyyer]

Please see Video Description. When the LiPo Battery exploded in the charging bag, the Charger burst sparks and flame from the LCD window too! Therefore, I decided to make a safer charging setup that included protecting the charger too. I called it my LiPo Charging Station, as seen in my last video. In this video I decided to TEST it for more peace of mind. Note, I have small holes in the tool box lid to relieve the pressure. Always be aware of how and where you charge your LiPo batteries as LiPo accidents can happen at any time to anybody! LiPos are generally safe and only seem to catch fire when something goes wrong during the charging procedure. (See this example video courtesy of Rajucam Aerial Services ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ-xepdmoqmheNE and thanks kindly for watching.

[@iflylilplanes]

Just watched that video, how about that 16 amp pack, don't think other than charging in the middle of the yard is safe for them.

[@NightFlyyer]

For sure. It must take a long time too. Thanks.

[@sachinnathoo6174]

Nice video. Heard fire extinguishers can’t put a lipo fire out. Saw an idea where a guy charges his battery inside a big pot with a big bag of sand over the pot. If a fire starts, bag melts and sand pours over onto the lipo. Maybe this is a good idea for your next video..

[@NightFlyyer]

My fire extinguisher instantly DID put our the fire. The bag of Sand sounds good, but if you watch the video in my description box, the guy put a whole garbage bag of sand over the charging bag and the blast blew it away, so not sure about a small bag of backing soda as the explosion is quite intense and forceful. Thanks for the suggestion and comments.

[@coastrnut]

Thanks for sharing Dave! Very helpful video. I think I am going to use this idea too!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks a lot Gary. I appreciate that. Charge safe and happy flying.

[@4thGloryMonday]

another great vid from NightFlyyer! keep em coming mr. Herbert

[@NightFlyyer]

You have always been very kind. Thanks very much!

[@soumiksaha720]

@@NightFlyyer i know without balance charge or doing over charge they can blust but can lipo batteries get blust when i store them in storage voltage (3.8-3.85) on safe place some moths or some days without using ?plzz reply sir.

[@NightFlyyer]

@@soumiksaha720 I have never seen a battery burst just sitting on the shelf. They tend to bust only while charging or if they got dinged in a crash. Either way, store them like I did, inside something that can contain the fire, if something were to go wrong.

[@soumiksaha720]

@@NightFlyyer Thank you so much sir ❤️

[@DKoppJr]

Now, I like these videos..... Experience is the best knowledge!!! Great video Dave.

[@NightFlyyer]

Hi Don. Yes, when I tell someone how to do something, I also like to test them myself, hence this video. I appreciate your comments. Thank you!

[@DKoppJr]

@@NightFlyyer ....I agree....You always give solid proof to your reasoning....... Hence why I watch and trust your videos and opinions. Great job!

[@budparriott8054]

It's amazing how much smoke and heat that LiPo put out! Good job on your containment and looking forward to your next experiment, but next time wear a hazmat suit if you intend to top this one..!

[@NightFlyyer]

I've about had it with fires, so don't intend to make anymore, but I'll keep that in mind if I do. Thanks Bud.

[@--JohnDoe]

Thank you for the experiment. It's very helpful. You may be indirectly saving peoples lives.

[@NightFlyyer]

Hi John. Well thank you for the very kind words.

[@TheCameltotem]

Doing the same thing, but also going to cover it with sand on the top and bottom and putting the lipo in a bag. Should be super safe. thanks!

[@NightFlyyer]

Good Idea. Happy flying and Thanks much.

[@TheScottsawesomeart]

NICE VIDEO DAVE! ... I SEEN A VIDEO OF A GUY WHO MADE A ZIPLOCK BAG FULL OF PLAY SAND AND BAKING SODA , HE PUTS IT OVER THE TOP OF HIS LIPO AS HE CHARGES IT , IF IT CATCHES ON FIRE IT MELT THE BAG THEN THE SAND PUTS OUT THE FIRE!

[@NightFlyyer]

That sounds good but if you watch the video in my description box, the guy put a whole garbage bag of sand over the charging bag and the blast blew it away, so not sure about a small bag. Thanks for the suggestion and comments.

[@jamestremain8115]

Thank you for the reply and so many tips over the years Dave. Safe flying.

[@greenlantern3561]

I appreciate you sharing this video. I've always thought I needed to get an expensive ceramic pot or ammunition case, but I think I'll go out and get a metal BBQ grill or a Hibachi and put a little sand in it and keep my batteries in there for storage. I wouldn't have thought of using the barbecue grill unless I saw your video. It's an awesome idea.

[@scottfirman]

I would use ceramic tiles to place under your charger. That way if the battery goes nuclear, it wont burn the cork inside your charging grill. I use a lipo bag when charging. I normally store all my batterys in an ammo bag. Yes, $500 in batterys wont cover your house. I actually dont keep my batterys all in one case. Since its only $10 per case for a steel ammo case on sale. There is nothing wrong with having several cases, including one for charging. I have had one battery go bad but not burst inside the house. This was a good lesson for people to learn. I have seen entire drone equipment bags go up in smoke in the middle of a guys garage. I just talked to a friend whos RC racing buddy lost his garage to a lipo fire a couple weeks ago. The house was heavily smoke damaged, all because he left his racing battrys sitting on the bench. Like you said, when its gone, its gone. You could throw some steaks on that grill just in case. Thanks for the video!

[@NightFlyyer]

That's not cork. It's a solid piece of Quartz tile 1/2 inch thick. I use ceramic tiles in lots of other places and they are also great insulators. Good tips. Thanks.

[@scottfirman]

@@NightFlyyer My bad, I heard cork...lol. Lots of noise. Good ideas eather way. We as hobbists cannot stress Lipo safety enough. Its cheaper replacing batterys than houses.

[@iflylilplanes]

I've been running Lipo's now for around 7 years and never had one catch fire either on the charger or in the plane, came close once, the spring on the cross blade on a Deans plug bent and shorted the battery as I was connecting to the ESC, pulled the battery before it could escalate much more than untouchable heat, that was the day I removed all Deans plugs and destroyed them (XT60's rule). When a Lipo is past it's useful life I cut off the power cables and soak the Lipo in salt water for a week then they can be disposed of safely. I charge no more than 2C, even if the battery says it can charge at 5C, and I have never to date had a battery get warm on the charger. I'm not saying it will never happen to me , and I follow all safety precautions similar to Dave's in his video. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks. I've also been using lipos since firs available for models over 15 years and never had a problem til now. So I say never say never and truly be safe. I love xt60's too! Thanks again.

[@iflylilplanes]

It seems that directing the flame away in a safe direction is the best thing that can be done. One of my club mates charges his Lipo's in a Besser block (large concrete building block with two large holes in it) on it's side, the charger on the top of the block, any flame is directed in the direction of the opening away from combustibles and you can have another battery in the next hole charging and it wont be affected by the heat.

[@NightFlyyer]

That's another good idea. I wanted to contain all my flames though, hence the closed, vented systems I am trying. No matter what, its better to be safe than sorry. Thanks.

[@bmpgap7423]

Nice work on these ideas, thanks!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly!

[@WeeblerZ18]

Good Day!!

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly Jay! You too!

[@MikeRemvidas]

Thanks for the ideas 👍🏻 I'm going to do the tool box idea that's a great way to charge safely. I have around ?? I don't know guessing 20-30 Lipos & keep all together in one ammo box from Harbour Freight $12.99 yeah !!! Small price to pay for safety.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly. Glad your being safe too!

[@Tump2010]

I really like the toolbox idea, I do have one concern and if you would be willing to blow up one more it would be great. In a bunch of the videos I have seen it looks like the fumes are on fire so my concern would be that if the fumes are flammable could something in the house set them off? It would be great to see the toolbox test again with a torch/candle/flame source by the box.

[@NightFlyyer]

No time soon will I try that again. It's expensive to blow up good 6S batteries, plus the fumes in the house would definitely not be welcomed again. Outside, there is little chance that a candle or torch would be next to charging station and especially inside the house. Those fumes will not burn, if your talking about the lipo fire smoke, as they are the smoke from the fire in the first place. There are no fumes that come from just charging. As long as the battery is contained, like in my box, I don't think there is any worry about fumes igniting once the lipo explodes, as the damage is done. Maybe you or someone else might try it, but it's not going to be me. I'm just happy my box and grill works, so I can feel much safer. Thanks.

[@sinformant]

Great video! It was nice to see that it worked just as it was supposed to.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly.

[@travispratt6327]

I think the best solution is a grill outdoors, especially for big batteries and my Ebike battery. I’ve watched many videos of the bags, they’re extremely unreliable and it takes a $100 giant bag to successfully contain a large Ebike battery because the cells just keep going off and burn for over an hour. Even then you still get fireballs shooting out the side vents, so if it’s close to anything there’s still a risk. Also not that $20 is a lot for that Walmart deal, but free grills are everywhere and I know I have 3 unused large ones myself.

[@kydawg1684]

I like it Mr. Dave. I had a buddy lose his home from a LiPo fire....so he knows what you went thru from loss (although yours was an Electrical failure). It sure made me more careful than I already was. Thanks for sharing the Lipo Grill.

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks much Kyle. You were one of those folks who helped me get thru the trauma of my fire for which I am forever grateful. Thank you kindly.

[@kydawg1684]

You are more than welcome. Glad to be able to support an RC Friend anyway I can.

[@AKATEATime]

Dave's cookin' up some flying fun. Heh

[@NightFlyyer]

Lots of laughs. Thanks.

[@3p1cand3rs0n]

Hi Mr. Herbert, have you considered accessorizing your charging grill? Maybe some remote LED strips for Night Flyying, and some beverage holders, which could double as storage pockets for extea wires, adaptors, etc. 😀

[@NightFlyyer]

Hey now that is a great idea. I like it, as this was my first generation charging grill. Thanks very kindly. 🌹

[@triskellian]

Excellent video Dave! If I may ask,where did you buy the ceramic tile and what was the cost? Blue skies!

[@NightFlyyer]

I got them at Home Depot. They are about $3.00 a piece 12"x24".. Thanks

[@jamesfernick3741]

as someone who is considering making an ebike but doesn't want a fire hazard in my garage ive been looking for info like this on charging batteries in a charcoal grill, the smoke detector and the quartz slab is a brilliant idea, but since im going to likely put it in my detached garage (where i cant hear it) i will probably get a wifi smoke detector so it messages my phone (my wifi reaches my garage)

[@NightFlyyer]

Right on. You may have known, my house and shop burned to the ground and we lost everything several years ago. If I had a wifi smoke alarm, that would have been prevented for me too, as the fire started in my detached Garage shop. So now, in our new house, I have the Nest Smoke detectors and they are amazing. That would be a good choice in my opinion. Be careful and safe. Thanks.

[@HellTriX]

Nice work. thank you for the testing. Brilliant idea with the charging grill, that's great :)

[@NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much Trix. I appreciate that!

[@mazpr2025]

Tenergy is not a bad charger, but on higher lipo cells 5 and 6s tends to struggle keeping them perfectly balanced and at 100%. I have that charger and a Hitec X2, and Hitec is far superior charging and discharging.

[@blackturbine]

Gotta say that box can take a beating I still feel bad for your previous house that was a lot of sentimental value I am still working on that small diesel engine I still can't find a good way to machine a cylinder being nickel alloy

[@NightFlyyer]

Yes. I am happy I found it and feel good that it worked as planned. I can't help you on the engine, but wish you good luck with it. Don't give up and thanks for commenting.

[@BigBubbaBiker]

This grill idea seems good NightFlyyer. Wonder if I could store the Lipos outside in this grill? Maybe in a Ziploc bag to keep humidity and weather out? Then wouldn't need to store in the house. Thoughts?

[@NightFlyyer]

Storing batteries inside any metal container is a good idea. I have several of the Black Tool Boxes from Walmart, I keep all my batteries in. Of course you can store them in the grill. Go for it. Thanks much.

[@dooleycurl6276]

Hey Dave! Where the hell have you been? I used to watch your videos all the time. Your house burned down, then you disappeared.

[@NightFlyyer]

Hi Dooley. Well I had to recover some, but thanks to many modelers who sent me models, etc I have been back at it. Please check my channel to see what I have been up to and thanks kindly for commenting.

[@Slider2732]

The Charging Grill is great. A convenient height too, much better than having the charger on the floor or on a wooden surface. By the way, for the lipo explosion test, I know i'd have forgotten the glass jar for the camera :)

[@NightFlyyer]

So glad you like my charging grill. I like it a lot too. Thanks very much.

[@haihai2999]

OMG... i want my 6S medium rare.... :D

[@tommcg-tf1zy]

How come you never did that when I was there lol fire men called??? Tom

[@NightFlyyer]

It happened after you left. No Firemen, as I put it out immediately with the fire extinguisher.

[@hpeterh]

Put some PET bottles with water into that box. If a fire starts, the bottles will melt and the battery is drowned.

[@jamestremain8115]

Great tips. I'm considering the tool box setup. Would it be alright to use a 2 port charger and charge 2 batts at the same time in the tool box?

[@NightFlyyer]

I used to do that a lot and never had a problem. In my last video I show my 2 charger setup. As long as mine are in the box with a few air vents, I feel safer than having them charge in the open. Thanks a lot.

[@DonDegidio]

Dave, Did you rebuild the house or move to another?

[@NightFlyyer]

My original house had to be destroyed and there is an empty lot there now that sickens me every time we drive by! We've moved to a different place on the outskirts of town. Thanks.

[@1101nz]

plastic bag filled with sand. fire melts bag and sand smothers the fire

[@NightFlyyer]

If you watch this video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ-xepdmoqmheNE )you will see what a garbage bag full of sand does when sitting on top of the battery. It explodes and the sand is blown away. Not as good as it sounds, but anything is better than nothing. Thanks.

[@Mehxj2417]

hello remmeber ur video in 2008 ? the oldest laptop video if u still have it im paying alot for it

[@NightFlyyer]

I still have it.

[@Mehxj2417]

how much would u sell it ?

[@NightFlyyer]

Make me an offer I can't refuse. It works fine :-)

[@Mehxj2417]

50$ ?

[@NightFlyyer]

@@Mehxj2417 Sorry. I turned down $300 several years ago.

[@streaydog019]

What a deterent to owning these batteries.

[@NightFlyyer]

I think it is not a deterrent but a warning to be safe. Since my house burned to the ground, I want everybody to handle them safe. Remember Lipos are even in your phone.

[@streaydog019]

@@NightFlyyer I was considering a old electric smoker for storage. Looks like were thinking kinda the same with your grill setup. Thanks for the video. Tool box works well.

[@NightFlyyer]

@@streaydog019 Any good containment like the smoker will certainly work. Thanks.