more lithium fires

[Michael J Brennan]

Two recent fires in checked baggage caused by lithium batteries.

One in Dubai last month was found when the baggage was being transferred to a connecting flight.
The other was in Melbourne last week and occurred in the hold before pushback and the pilot declared a mayday.


As it happens both were in flight cases containing RC drones.


Spread the word, especially to those who are new to the industry.

Some are recommending to discard batts that have been in a drone prang.




Mike Brennan

 

[Peter Majtan]

This (and the 2.5m size of our Bergen Turbine Observer) is why I have spent $5K modifying my car to be able to transport the RCH anywhere in Japan in a relative comfort.
Anyone traveling by air with equipment needing LiPo's should consider buying the batteries locally at their destination (and account for the expense in their production budget).
I see a huge opportunity for someone to start a chain of LiPo rental businesses world-wide for this exact purpose...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Aaron McLane]

you absolutely should throw away LiPo's that have been in a crash, even if they seem to still work fine.

 

[Aaron McLane]

and keep all LiPo's in those LiPo fire safe bags

 

[Bob Gilles]

Li Po's are absolute grenades, I love them, but they are scary dangerous.

 

[ericyoung]

you absolutely should throw away LiPo's that have been in a crash, even if they seem to still work fine.

They should not be thrown away in household waste. Discharge them, tape up the contacts, and check with local government authorities where you can dispose of them safely. In the UK we have local waste transfer stations which have metal fireproof bins for battery disposal.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

But our beloved V-lock and Anton Bauer batteries are not LiPo. Aren't the Lipo the troubel makers?

Pat

 

[Lee Kelly]

Pretty scary to think some knob could have his batteries catch fire when you are up in the air.
Werent they trying to use that excuse for the Malaysian airlines flight?
I take all my V-locks on as carry on and tape the terminals and keep them in individual zip-lock plastic bags so they cant touch any metal, just in case.
Never had an issue with security or check in people and at least if they did catch on fire, we in the cabin would be able to put the fire out quickly before we all crash and burn.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Never had an issue with security or check in people and at least if they did catch on fire, we in the cabin would be able to put the fire out quickly before we all crash and burn.

It wont happen with v-lock as they aren't Lipo but when Lipo catch fire you won't be able to put the fire out.

Pat

 

[ericyoung]

It wont happen with v-lock as they aren't Lipo but when Lipo catch fire you won't be able to put the fire out.

Pat

Actually any battery containing Lithium are potentially fire risks, hence the restrictions.

 

[Les Dittert]

Some idiots are still putting Lithium batteries in checked bags.
They should be fined if found. Good way to make the airlines some more money too !

 

[Brian F Kobylarz]

Time to update the list:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...carrier_info/media/Battery_incident_chart.pdf

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Well it's going to be difficult to forbide any electronic devices containing a battery...

Some from the list...


Removed from electric wheelchair

Baby Monitor Remote

336 laptop computers

Possibly Camcorder

Portable welder

Samsung mini computer (palm pilot)

Wheelchair

Battery for DeWalt cordless drill unattached

Flashlight

Marine buoy

Batteries in metal racks for solar panels

Laptop with spare battery

Photographic flash gun

IBM Laptop computer

“Fresh Air Buddy” personal air filter

AA NP-1 Packed with professional audio/video equipment

helicopter kit

e-cigarettes

...


Pat

 

[Lakis Amarantithis]

So if I travel by plane from Miami to Dubai how should I pack and send 6 red bricks I have and I'll need there? Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Peter Majtan]

So if I travel by plane from Miami to Dubai how should I pack and send 6 red bricks I have and I'll need there? Any advice?
Thanks!

You can attach one to the camera and bring two more - all in your carry-on (cabin) luggage. Tape the connectors. That's it. Rent the rest at your destination.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

1) Tape all connectors, then you can put each one in a plastic bag.
2) Carry them in Cabin
3) the air company has the right to deny the boarding of the batteries but the following rool is usually used:


< 90wh take as many you want in cabin
>90wh and up to 160wh = 2 per person max. in cabin
>160wh forbidden on airplanes (nor cabin, nor check-in, nor cargo)

The biggest risk with batteries are short-circuits, the loose batteries mixed with cables (mini-jack), small metal pieces, screws and tools that could make the short-circuit (or a bunch of AA mixed in a bag).


Patrick

 

[Wendell Adkins]

Pretty scary to think some knob could have his batteries catch fire when you are up in the air.
Werent they trying to use that excuse for the Malaysian airlines flight?
I take all my V-locks on as carry on and tape the terminals and keep them in individual zip-lock plastic bags so they cant touch any metal, just in case.
Never had an issue with security or check in people and at least if they did catch on fire, we in the cabin would be able to put the fire out quickly before we all crash and burn.

You won't put out a lipo fire quickly. They are hard to extinguish and perhaps worse, the fumes emitted are hazardous.

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927559

 

[Patrick Tresch]

This could help?

http://arkrc.com.au/lpguard-lipo-guard-fireproof-bag-25x33cm/

 

[Ketch Rossi]

1) Tape all connectors, then you can put each one in a plastic bag.
2) Carry them in Cabin
3) the air company has the right to deny the boarding of the batteries but the following rool is usually used:


< 90wh take as many you want in cabin
>90wh and up to 160wh = 2 per person max. in cabin
>160wh forbidden on airplanes (nor cabin, nor check-in, nor cargo)

The biggest risk with batteries are short-circuits, the loose batteries mixed with cables (mini-jack), small metal pieces, screws and tools that could make the short-circuit (or a bunch of AA mixed in a bag).


Patrick

Only correction here Patrick is that per IATA approved Lithium loads you can carry several batteries that are up to 100wh, anything over that restricts you to 2 x Passenger.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Are our batteries Lithium metal batteries?

If so, here the bad news:

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/lithium-battery-update.pdf

We should make hear our voices...

Pat