Lipo Salvageable?

[DjFlipNautikz]

So I have a 3s turnighy 5000mah battery that was knocked around inside a Spartan after it launched in the air at full speed and tumbled. When I checked the taps the middle cell does not read in my meter and when connected the battery shows as 0 volts however when I check the taps the first and third cell show fine. I'm guessing it's wire connection got knocked off. Can I fix that?

[Diesel6401]

So I have a 3s turnighy 5000mah battery that was knocked around inside a Spartan after it launched in the air at full speed and tumbled. When I checked the taps the middle cell does not read in my meter and when connected the battery shows as 0 volts however when I check the taps the first and third cell show fine. I'm guessing it's wire connection got knocked off. Can I fix that?

Yea it's it's prob fixable, the question is are you up to it? Tearing down a lipo and directly soldering on the tabs is a dangerous job. When I do it I make sure I have a fire extinguisher standing by. Chances are one of the balance leads got destroyed. IF you decide to do it, please be careful. You can check the voltage of each cell when you undo the wrapper and expose the board. If all cells measure fine directly to them, bypassing the balance tab, chances are it's a bad plug or loose connection on the plug (balance plug). I have had some crappy soldering jobs on the Turnigy packs. The value is awesome and they work great, but the soldering and QC is sub-par. I did a video on repairing a Turnigy pack, click the youtube link in my signature.

[DjFlipNautikz]

Is it a big deal? I have gotten kind of good with soldering so i think i can do it.

[Diesel6401]

Is it a big deal? I have gotten kind of good with soldering so i think i can do it.

Yes it is a very big deal. Lipo's if shorted or mishandled can potentially become a fire ball.

[Drax21]

Yes it is a very big deal. Lipo's if shorted or mishandled can potentially become a fire ball.

The big packs are like C4 but a bit more...SPARKY

Take care

[DjFlipNautikz]

Ok. I will take a peak and if I think I am able to do it I will. Thanks again

[Diesel6401]

Ok. I will take a peak and if I think I am able to do it I will. Thanks again

Let me know what you come up with. If you don't feel up to it I might be able to take a look at it if it's in my comfort zone.

[DjFlipNautikz]

i am going to open up the lipo where the connections are soldered and take a picture so you can see. probably do that tonight when i get home.

[Diesel6401]

i am going to open up the lipo where the connections are soldered and take a picture so you can see. probably do that tonight when i get home.

That's cool. I'm friends with the owner of the lhs and they had a lipo sitting off to the side I asked what the deal was they said it wasn't registering any voltage, I brought it home and just repaired it now. Free lipo woohoo. I checked the voltage to each individual cell and they all read 3.8v per cell which is perfect I then measured voltage at the discharge/output wires and it measured 0v total I then used thed balance tap and it also read 0v that told me the series circuit was open somewhere after searching the board I found where the problem was. Seems the batt may have been shorted out and blew out a connection point. 30 seconds of soldering and back to new! Took 5-6m total!

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[Drax21]

That's cool. I'm friends with the owner of the lhs and they had a lipo sitting off to the side I asked what the deal was they said it wasn't registering any voltage, I brought it home and just repaired it now. Free lipo woohoo. I checked the voltage to each individual cell and they all read 3.8v per cell which is perfect I then measured voltage at the discharge/output wires and it measured 0v total I then used thed balance tap and it also read 0v that told me the series circuit was open somewhere after searching the board I found where the problem was. Seems the batt may have been shorted out and blew out a connection point. 30 seconds of soldering and back to new! Took 5-6m total!

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It is pretty easy really. for getting a free lipo!

[DjFlipNautikz]

SO i opened the top up just like you and can't seem to find anything. I still left one of the protective plastics on but you can see.

The second picture shows where i place the wires of the voltage meter and get 0 volts.

as you can see in the picture i have in order BLACK, YELLOW, BLUE, and RED wires. When i test black & yellow its fine. test yellow and blue its 0 volts, blue and red fine. But then i check BLACK AND RED and it says 0 volts... whats going on here??


IMG_2419 by Djflipnautikz, on Flickr


IMG_2421 by Djflipnautikz, on Flickr

[Diesel6401]

The fact your reading 0 at the output cables (red/black) or your traxxas plug, indicates it's a open circuit. If just a cell was dead the output at the cables should read as a 2s instead of a 3s pack. There has to be a very VERY small area that doesn't connect.

[DjFlipNautikz]

But why does it read with black - yellow & blue - red but NOT blue & yellow? Do I have to open it up completely?

[rc2266]

Not to highjack, but if I send you one how much would you charge for a repair, I shorted one out and I know I prob have a crack in a solder connection

[Diesel6401]

But why does it read with black - yellow & blue - red but NOT blue & yellow? Do I have to open it up completely?

The connections should be exposed and you read directly at that point, move all that yellow wrapper outta the way.

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