Is there a Preset that will fully discharge a lipo to zero. I have one that is damaged (broken balance lead) and I wish to dispose of it. From what I have read the best course of action is to fully discharge using an auto bulb or something like that then dispose with the rubbish. As far as I can tell I can only set a discharge voltage down to 2.5V. I don't really want to mess on soldering bulbs to the battery when I have a big box of tricks called a PL8. Any suggestions? Also can I discharge the battery without connecting the balance lead as it's one of the balance leads thats broken. In fact when I tried to charge it via the balance leads only it thought it was a 1S and not a 2S.

In my workflow, when a battery is ready for disposal, its condition is questionable. As a discharge past 3v will likely puff the packs with typically safe, but potentially bad consequences, I do not discharge near anything that can burn.

I have pair of light bulbs that can be wired in series for 6s or parallel for 3s. It has bullets on it. I then plug my charge leads into the discharger, connect the pack and tuck it away in the bbq for the 12-24 hrs.

Are those auto bulbs Gregor? This is a 2S 2200 pack. Not puffed up or anything like that just one of the balance leads has an intermittent break. If its an auto bulb then my guess would be a single tail light will do.

Originally Posted by Roblister

Are those auto bulbs Gregor? This is a 2S 2200 pack. Not puffed up or anything like that just one of the balance leads has an intermittent break. If its an auto bulb then my guess would be a single tail light will do.

Yes, two automotive tail lights.

I've just checked and the pack is at 2.4V. The packs aren't puffed so I am still not certain if I should get them in a position where I can short them out for safety before disposing of them. I will probably put the two car bulbs over them and leave them for 24 hours outside. Then dispose of them shorted out.

Originally Posted by Tim Marks

Hi:

I have been advised that the update you're looking for will be published to the general public on Monday, June 4.

Tim Marks

Thanks Tim, unfortunatly I am away from home for the next couple of months so won't be able to test it for a while.

//Dennis.

Originally Posted by Roblister

Is there a Preset that will fully discharge a lipo to zero. I have one that is damaged (broken balance lead) and I wish to dispose of it. From what I have read the best course of action is to fully discharge using an auto bulb or something like that then dispose with the rubbish. As far as I can tell I can only set a discharge voltage down to 2.5V. I don't really want to mess on soldering bulbs to the battery when I have a big box of tricks called a PL8. Any suggestions? Also can I discharge the battery without connecting the balance lead as it's one of the balance leads thats broken. In fact when I tried to charge it via the balance leads only it thought it was a 1S and not a 2S.

I agree a disposal preset would be very useful, especially for larger packs.

Originally Posted by russ skinner

I agree a disposal preset would be very useful, especially for larger packs.

.
Yup, until you accidentally "charge" a brand new pack with it . . .
.

Why would you solder bulbs to a battery? Just keep a car bulb around with your normal ESC connector on it (Deans, XT60 whatever).

Ever need to completely discharge a LiPo- plug it in.

[QUOTE=Roblister;21789346 I don't really want to mess on soldering bulbs to the battery when I have a big box of tricks called a PL8. Any suggestions? .[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by klhoard

.
Yup, until you accidentally "charge" a brand new pack with it . . .
.

Specious reasoning in my book.

Strikes me that Lipo disposal is a bit of an after thought. I'd bet good money that a number of Lipos are being disposed at more than 3v/cell.

If a universal disposal (lipo) preset could be configured safely, I think this would be a great idea.

Car light bulbs work, but can really heat the pack to a soft state which is a little unnerving.

Originally Posted by jj604

Why would you solder bulbs to a battery? Just keep a car bulb around with your normal ESC connector on it (Deans, XT60 whatever).

Ever need to completely discharge a LiPo- plug it in.

Thats what I meant. But you need to solder leads to the bulb in the first place to get the connectors on.

Originally Posted by klhoard

.
Yup, until you accidentally "charge" a brand new pack with it . . .
.

I would say you have the same chance of charging say a 200mAh lipo with an accidental "charge" setting for a 2200mAh. I always check before pressing the button.

Originally Posted by russ skinner

Car light bulbs work, but can really heat the pack to a soft state which is a little unnerving.

Use fewer bulbs, or put bulbs in series. Regardless of how its done, when a pack reaches the point that it needs to be disposed of, full discharging regardless of method is "unnerving". I would not want to do this near my beloved Powerlab8.

Originally Posted by russ skinner

Specious reasoning in my book.

Strikes me that Lipo disposal is a bit of an after thought. I'd bet good money that a number of Lipos are being disposed at more than 3v/cell.

If a universal disposal (lipo) preset could be configured safely, I think this would be a great idea.

Car light bulbs work, but can really heat the pack to a soft state which is a little unnerving.

.
1) Get a shovel
2) Dig an 8-10" deep hole
3) Throw the LiPo in it
4) Cut it in half with the shovel
5) Let it burn.
6) After it cools, scoop it up and throw it away.
.
I don't know why you guys make this more complicated than it really needs to be . . .
.

Connecting to a light bulb sounds easier to me.