Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / April 2004

Thanks Bill for the "warning" about Li-Po batteries.
Let us all recall our history in this hobby re: new technology of any kind.
It is easy to separate "us" - the hobbyists into 3 groups:

1. The "INTENTENIONALLY ILLITERATE" -Yep , fellas  -it seems that no matter
how hard manufacturers try - some of us really believe we are smarter than
the instructions ("huh- not ME..?)
In other words - refusing of the oportunity of self-education (i.e. -not
reading the instructions, and -actually doing as they say, and THEN
something BAD happens) DOES NOT equate with a bad, faulty, shoddy or even
dangerous product.
However- it may give rise to others questioning our genetics <G>
2. The "CHICKEN LITTLES"-Unfortunaley, for many of us, we are quick to
really believe that the sky*IS* falling. (For those of you who have actually
witnessed MY flying - well.. SOMETHING usually is falling - but it is FROM
the sky- and more importantly, it is ALWAYS because of MY actions, or lack
thereof. It does no good to blame the plane - right?)
in other words, before we all start running for cover -THINK!!!!
Lithium poly batteries have been in use SUCESSFULLY, AND SAFELY FOR YEARS in
cell phones, and many other consumer oriented applications.
The ONLY scary failures have occured due to incorrect charging, or abuse.
PERIOD.
I wonder how many times a perfectly good product has been "evicted" from
this hobby due to gossip and rumor.
Have house and garages burned? Possibly. And let us assume that they have.
Damn shame, really - I sincerely am sorry for those folks, and I hope there
were no injuries or worse.
However, can we get THE FACTS as to WHY it happened?????
Would be nice to know if it was REALLY the fault of an inanimate object,
that cannot self-destruct without SOME HUMAN IN -PUT- it requires us to take
action in order fail, or to charge correctly.

3.The "THE EARTH IS STILL FLAT" gang. You know who you are... Probably still
fly with a wide band AM radio, and complain all the time about "those @%$*)$
floppy flyers" ( those are 3-D capable profile airplanes for the rest of you
that are younger and not using servos the size of bricks, that you time with
a sun-dial <G>).

Look guys - the bottm line to all this is;
1. Read! And don't short cut on the instructions for safe charge rates.
Please do not take this as a negative commentary on Bill Fulmer's warning
post. Rather, use reasonable caution as outlined. Just understand that these
that the most energy dense, lightest weight batteries we have had yet. BUT
THEY ARE NOT Ni CADS!!!
That means you WILL NOT get away with abusing Li -Polys by charging them
in-correctly, as we ALL do with Ni CADS.
2. Don't rumor mongor - it always amazes me when I hear someone proudly
salivating over the failure of a product, or fellow hobbyist. It ain't
pretty.Get the facts. The REAL facts, not gossip. And then make an
intelligent descision that not based on " Well, so-an-so said he heard..."
3.Be willing to expose yourself to new technologies. Might make your life
better.This is a "learning curve" hobby. All of the time.
Otherwise, why not just go back to the old reed, single channel, brick servo
radios, in your Quaker?
Do not be afraid, be smart about learning new technologies.
These new batteries ARE a technological marvel if used correctly.
Not used correctly - they are dangerous...
Gee, sounds like our automobiles, right?
Anybody here believe that their cars are too dangerous, or scary, or complex
to get in them and drive their airplanes to the field...?
Didn't think so...<GGGG>!
T