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Twrecks600 · 05-26-2008, 06:41 PM

I have been flying helis for about 4 months now and have recently started flying airplanes. On Saturday, I lost an airlane due to unknown circumstanses (lost radio contact is what it seemed like) and after organizing a search party, we did not find the aircraft. I searched for the past few days and just found it today, 60 feet up in a tree. After recovering multiple pieces (battery, esc, servos, receiver) I went home hoping the battery is still ok. It is a Tenergy 3s 11.1 v 2200 mAh lipo that I fly in my helis. Do you think the battery is still ok after 2 days in the elements? This is a GREAT battery which I usually get around 12 mins of flying time in my Blade 400 and TREX 450. I just checked the voltage with a meter and it reads 4.7v. I assume the battery is trashed but I wonder if there is a way to save it and if so, how do I recover the lipo.

I have a Thunder Power 1010c charger with corresponding balancer.

Thanks!!

marchambault · 05-26-2008, 08:12 PM

That lipo probably will suffer from a permanent capacity loss, but I'd still try to recover it.

So what happens if you set the charge rate to 0.5Amps and plug it into the TP 1010? Other than that, can you get your hands on a FMA Direct Cellpro charger to recover it?

marchambault · 05-26-2008, 08:13 PM

Hey, so how did you get it out of that tree? Climbed, rented a crane, a really really tall ladder?

Twrecks600 · 05-26-2008, 08:23 PM

I had a guy at the local hobby shop that had this pole that fit in the back of his pickup truck that would extend exactly 60 feet. It is used by electricians to re-set main breakers on top of utility poles. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. He just kept on extending the pole, locking it in place, and with in 10 minutes, I had my plane (in pieces)!!

I have his number on speed dial!!

WayneBrown · 05-26-2008, 09:45 PM

You can possibly recover the battery by charging it as a NiCd for a few minutes to get the voltage over 3,6v per cell.
Do NOT walk away from this process, and have it in a fireproof baking dish with a bag of sand handy just in case.
If it swells or vents, destroy the battery by totally discharging it and soaking in salt water for a few days to a week to corrode the tabs off.

Twrecks600 · 05-27-2008, 04:38 PM

Good news!!

I charged the battery on slow charge for 6 hours and it brought the voltage up to around 11.4 and then put it on my TP 1010c with the balancer and after another 2 hours, it shows full charge and correct balance. I flew it with the Blade 400 for 4 minutes and it held great. I charged it again and put 750 mAh back into it (I think I said that right), balanced it again while charging, and then had a 7 minute flight with it!! I think the battery will be ok!! Thanks for all the tips and advice!!

Ralph

05-26-2008, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Twrecks600 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	Dead battery? I have been flying helis for about 4 months now and have recently started flying airplanes. On Saturday, I lost an airlane due to unknown circumstanses (lost radio contact is what it seemed like) and after organizing a search party, we did not find the aircraft. I searched for the past few days and just found it today, 60 feet up in a tree. After recovering multiple pieces (battery, esc, servos, receiver) I went home hoping the battery is still ok. It is a Tenergy 3s 11.1 v 2200 mAh lipo that I fly in my helis. Do you think the battery is still ok after 2 days in the elements? This is a GREAT battery which I usually get around 12 mins of flying time in my Blade 400 and TREX 450. I just checked the voltage with a meter and it reads 4.7v. I assume the battery is trashed but I wonder if there is a way to save it and if so, how do I recover the lipo. I have a Thunder Power 1010c charger with corresponding balancer. Thanks!!

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05-26-2008, 08:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
marchambault Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2007	That lipo probably will suffer from a permanent capacity loss, but I'd still try to recover it. So what happens if you set the charge rate to 0.5Amps and plug it into the TP 1010? Other than that, can you get your hands on a FMA Direct Cellpro charger to recover it?

05-26-2008, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
marchambault Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2007	Hey, so how did you get it out of that tree? Climbed, rented a crane, a really really tall ladder?

05-26-2008, 08:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Twrecks600 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	I had a guy at the local hobby shop that had this pole that fit in the back of his pickup truck that would extend exactly 60 feet. It is used by electricians to re-set main breakers on top of utility poles. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. He just kept on extending the pole, locking it in place, and with in 10 minutes, I had my plane (in pieces)!! I have his number on speed dial!!

05-26-2008, 09:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
WayneBrown Join Date: Jan 2005	You can possibly recover the battery by charging it as a NiCd for a few minutes to get the voltage over 3,6v per cell. Do NOT walk away from this process, and have it in a fireproof baking dish with a bag of sand handy just in case. If it swells or vents, destroy the battery by totally discharging it and soaking in salt water for a few days to a week to corrode the tabs off.

05-27-2008, 04:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twrecks600 Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2008	Good news!! I charged the battery on slow charge for 6 hours and it brought the voltage up to around 11.4 and then put it on my TP 1010c with the balancer and after another 2 hours, it shows full charge and correct balance. I flew it with the Blade 400 for 4 minutes and it held great. I charged it again and put 750 mAh back into it (I think I said that right), balanced it again while charging, and then had a 7 minute flight with it!! I think the battery will be ok!! Thanks for all the tips and advice!! Ralph

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