Waterproofing LiPo Packs

[007clint]

Is it possible to waterproof a LiPo Battery Pack? If so, what is the best method?

I see that Fine Design sells waterproofed packs for $4 more - how are they waterproofed?

 

[jayt]

Hi Clint! Most "waterproofed" LiPos are simply dipped in a rubbery plastic substance. This does a poor job of protecting the cells, especially if the pack is submerged. The problem is that the wires flex when the pack is moved around, and eventually there is no longer a good seal around the wires. This lets water in, but not out. The result of a wet pack is usually corroded tabs which can lead to high resistance, high heat, and/or broken tabs.

I prefer to keep the packs open so that any water that gets in can be removed. I keep some clear shrink wrap around so that if a pack gets wet I can see if there is water on the cells. If so, I strip off the shrink, blow out the water and let the cells dry. Then I re-shrink the packs and am good to go. I've flooded some of my packs several times but suffered no problems because I dry out the cells. Bottom line - I don't trust "waterproof" packs.

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[007clint]

Hi Clint! Most "waterproofed" LiPos are simply dipped in a rubbery plastic substance. This does a poor job of protecting the cells, especially if the pack is submerged. The problem is that the wires flex when the pack is moved around, and eventually there is no longer a good seal around the wires. This lets water in, but not out. The result of a wet pack is usually corroded tabs which can lead to high resistance, high heat, and/or broken tabs.
I prefer to keep the packs open so that any water that gets in can be removed. I keep some clear shrink wrap around so that if a pack gets wet I can see if there is water on the cells. If so, I strip off the shrink, blow out the water and let the cells dry. Then I re-shrink the packs and am good to go. I've flooded some of my packs several times but suffered no problems because I dry out the cells. Bottom line - I don't trust "waterproof" packs.

Sounds good and you're the expert! Where do you get clear shrink-wrap that is large enough?

.

 

[jayt]

Two places to try are Offshoreelectrics and Cheapbatterypacks.com. They carry numerous sizes, just make sure that you get a size that is large enough to slip over the pack but not so big it won't shrink down enough. The actual size will depend on the thickness of the packs - I can often use ~80mm shrink on my 4S packs.

.

 

[James E Beasley]

Hi Clint! Most "waterproofed" LiPos are simply dipped in a rubbery plastic substance. This does a poor job of protecting the cells, especially if the pack is submerged. The problem is that the wires flex when the pack is moved around, and eventually there is no longer a good seal around the wires. This lets water in, but not out. The result of a wet pack is usually corroded tabs which can lead to high resistance, high heat, and/or broken tabs.
I prefer to keep the packs open so that any water that gets in can be removed. I keep some clear shrink wrap around so that if a pack gets wet I can see if there is water on the cells. If so, I strip off the shrink, blow out the water and let the cells dry. Then I re-shrink the packs and am good to go. I've flooded some of my packs several times but suffered no problems because I dry out the cells. Bottom line - I don't trust "waterproof" packs.

.

Are you referring to saran wrap like the wife has in the kitchen? JB

 

[JimClark]

No he uses clear heat shrink tube

Hi Clint! Most "waterproofed" LiPos are simply dipped in a rubbery plastic substance. This does a poor job of protecting the cells, especially if the pack is submerged. The problem is that the wires flex when the pack is moved around, and eventually there is no longer a good seal around the wires. This lets water in, but not out. The result of a wet pack is usually corroded tabs which can lead to high resistance, high heat, and/or broken tabs.
I prefer to keep the packs open so that any water that gets in can be removed. I keep some clear shrink wrap around so that if a pack gets wet I can see if there is water on the cells. If so, I strip off the shrink, blow out the water and let the cells dry. Then I re-shrink the packs and am good to go. I've flooded some of my packs several times but suffered no problems because I dry out the cells. Bottom line - I don't trust "waterproof" packs.

.

Are you referring to saran wrap like the wife has in the kitchen? JB