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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Red Bricks and Air Travel

I noticed a lot of language in the above guidelines about the batteries being placed "individually protected".

The original RED BRICKS included loose plastic ziplock baggies within the cardboard box they shipped in. I assumed they were intended to protect the bricks from water in general, and the contacts from shorts of any type. My crew used them for a while, but after they lost them, they just travelled with them in Pelican cases with Pick n' Pluck foam removed to fit them each individually, and made it all over the world without incident.
 
OK.... let's summarize !


So, in the "worst" case (like EU companies), the maximum batteries per pessenger is :
- 2 spare batteries up to 160wH, in plastic bag with tape on connector (cabin only / pre-notification required)
- 1 battery up to 160 wH, attached on a camera (cabin only / pre-notification required)
- unlimited spare batteries under 100wH, in plastic bag with tape on connector (cabin only / no pre-notification required)
- unlimited batteries under 100wh, attached to equipment (cabin & checked baggage / no pre-notification required)


Good to know :
- Batteries rated between 100 and 300wH are considered "Larger" lithium ion batteries
- Batteries rated over 300wH are NOT allowed at all
- larger lthium metal batteries are prohibited (but not the smaller ones like AA, AAA, and CR-123A)
- keep the batteries on cabin, to avoid any unwanted bagage checking, and the risk of "losing" them.


Questions :
- this FAA link say only 2 "larger batteries"… is that means 2 spare + 1 attached ? or just 2 max??
- in this case, with v-mount batteries, is it possible to take 1 attached to camera + 2 attached on dual charger + 2 spare ?
 
I've flown Moroccon Airlines, Lufthstansa, BA, Air Canada (a lot), Cubana, Thai Air, Turkish Airways, Continental, Delta, (probably some other American carriers) and ANA (japan) and probably some others. All these flights were with multiple (7) 140 WH Bebop batteries in carry-on and checked in.

The only people to give me problems about batteries was ANA (Japan). I had to recruit some people out of the line to hand carry batteries because each person was only allowed two as carry on. They went as far as taking away a Hyper Juice supplementary laptop battery because they couldn't identify the chemistry.
 
Need to fly to SA with 16 redvolts and 2 XL's. From reading this thread I guess that be a problem.

I figure I can put 4 bats in the quad charger and 4 in the quad module, and 2 in my travel chargers and 1 in the side handle.... that would leave me with 5 spares that would be traveling solo.

I find it hard that the airline (BA) would jump on these small batteries as they are not much bigger than what folks have in their laptops and handycams, etc.... or?
 
Just got back from Mexico last night with two Red Bricks in my backpack. No problem (this time - last year was a different story - I've posted about this a couple of times...)

Tonga in 2 weeks. See how that goes (fingers crossed)

BTW - Björn, the redvolts are well under the checked bag size and you should have no problem. I also traveled with six just now. Two in a dual batt module and four loose in my carry on, but checking wouldn't be an issue with them anyway.
 
I have actually flown dozens of times now with Bricks and Redvolts in both carry on and checked baggage. I've never had a problem. The only time I've ever been questioned about batteries and air travel was two weeks ago when i checked some batteries for my Phantom Miro. They were pretty comparable to a Redvolt XL. Person at the counter looked it up to make sure I could check them and she said they're okay.
 
I'm in agreement with Stephen, although don't think you'd be jailed unless there was an incident. Everyone saying they've been fine and unchallenged flying a lot with more than the regulations allow or checking spare Li Ion batteries or just generally not being concerned with regulations are just playing with the odds. Personally, if I was on a paid job I would feel uncomfortable relying on luck my batteries won't be confiscated and not have the required power for the shoot. And while rare, the incidents that led to the tight restrictions were serious and real.
 
Have traveled with as many as 12 Redvolt, 8 RedvoltXL, 4 Bebob Rouge 90, 2 Bebob Rouge 140, 4 Blueshape 100, and 2 Blueshape 210, never a single problem, the over 100 capacity attached to the Charger, all 100, 90, RedvoltXL & Redvolt, loose on my travel case, this were all carry on luggage, some in my Camera Backpack, and the rest in a roll in think thank Airport case, inspected at the security check point.
 
Ketch
I am planning to travel with my epic, I have a EPIC-M collection + House of Power lithium batteries + I will be buying a couple of batteries.
Please let me know which Carry on Bag to buy,
Please help

Thanks
Jagz
 
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