I have a P3 and have 10 flights at this point. I have a lot of friends and colleagues that fly so I've been around them for a while. I've been reading non stop and watching tutorials on line for weeks to try to learn as much as possible. The more I read about the batteries the more I'm concerned. Maybe it's an overreaction but I live in an apartment building so I have to be particularly careful. Add to that there's NO consensus about the best safety practices with the batteries. There really isn't.
I have a trip coming up in less than two weeks where I'll be on several planes traveling across the country. It occurred to me last night that my P3 was shipped with the new batteries in their own boxes. Obviously they were only charged between 30-50% as required (I assume). Therefore, why wouldn't using those same boxes be a good idea on my upcoming trips? I haven't seen that idea mentioned anywhere.
For traveling there's some great videos online talking about using tape on each battery connection to minimize the possibility of a short or condensation, then placing each battery into either a plastic bag or LIPO bag. Some airlines are now requiring some version of this type of packing. There are videos online showing LIPO bags catching fire while others seems to contain it. People say to stay away from cheap Chinese LIPO bags but it seems hard to determine where any of them are made. Which bags are best (who knows). Some even contend that LIPO bags are a complete waste of time.
I've noticed people and even manufacturers have videos showing multiple LIPOs in one bag. Doesn't this defeat the purpose? One catches fire then surely the next one will. Interestingly, using LIPO bags can (at times) be less safe than in a custom-made case. It's well knows that a puncture to a LIPO is bad news but yet we're instructed to use some type of bag versus a case (especially for airline travel). It doesn't make a lot of sense that it's complicated to travel (or store) LIPOs since they don't fit into custom, and many times expensive, cases once in LIPO bags. I purchased two cases (Go Professional and a DJI) to organize and keep my equipment safe and am wondering if it's ever really safe to store the batteries in either. I recognize heat can cause a problem with LIPOs but how do you handle being on location in a hot location or when it's summer time. Do you keep each battery in its own LIPO bag in a separate shaded / cooler area. Can or should you travel with LIPOs in any custom made case? Makes me second guess why did I spent so much money on cases.
I could go on and on about Lipo Bunkers, Ammo Cases, Class D fire extinguishers (very expensive) sand, etc.
There are a lot of smart people out there with tons of experience in this area but it seems like an industry that doesn't really have it all figured out. I posted this to vent a little frustration but to also (hopefully) start another LIPO discussion. I'm certainly open to opinions and experience.
I have a trip coming up in less than two weeks where I'll be on several planes traveling across the country. It occurred to me last night that my P3 was shipped with the new batteries in their own boxes. Obviously they were only charged between 30-50% as required (I assume). Therefore, why wouldn't using those same boxes be a good idea on my upcoming trips? I haven't seen that idea mentioned anywhere.
For traveling there's some great videos online talking about using tape on each battery connection to minimize the possibility of a short or condensation, then placing each battery into either a plastic bag or LIPO bag. Some airlines are now requiring some version of this type of packing. There are videos online showing LIPO bags catching fire while others seems to contain it. People say to stay away from cheap Chinese LIPO bags but it seems hard to determine where any of them are made. Which bags are best (who knows). Some even contend that LIPO bags are a complete waste of time.
I've noticed people and even manufacturers have videos showing multiple LIPOs in one bag. Doesn't this defeat the purpose? One catches fire then surely the next one will. Interestingly, using LIPO bags can (at times) be less safe than in a custom-made case. It's well knows that a puncture to a LIPO is bad news but yet we're instructed to use some type of bag versus a case (especially for airline travel). It doesn't make a lot of sense that it's complicated to travel (or store) LIPOs since they don't fit into custom, and many times expensive, cases once in LIPO bags. I purchased two cases (Go Professional and a DJI) to organize and keep my equipment safe and am wondering if it's ever really safe to store the batteries in either. I recognize heat can cause a problem with LIPOs but how do you handle being on location in a hot location or when it's summer time. Do you keep each battery in its own LIPO bag in a separate shaded / cooler area. Can or should you travel with LIPOs in any custom made case? Makes me second guess why did I spent so much money on cases.
I could go on and on about Lipo Bunkers, Ammo Cases, Class D fire extinguishers (very expensive) sand, etc.
There are a lot of smart people out there with tons of experience in this area but it seems like an industry that doesn't really have it all figured out. I posted this to vent a little frustration but to also (hopefully) start another LIPO discussion. I'm certainly open to opinions and experience.