Align "puffer" 2100 mah 22c

[jeffros1805]

I know this topic has been beaten like a rented mule but....

Ive heard bad things about the stock original Align battery that came with my trex 450 se v2. Mine puffed on about the 8th flight. Ive since bought 2 new flight power evo lites 2500s that are awesome.

Question.... my align pack is slightly puffed but still performes ok (I limit my flights to about 5-6 minutes). Still has not puffed any further and works as my 3rd and last flight of the session. Has anyones ever actually caught fire or started smoking or just puffed?

just curious

- still puffed, still flying :nanabobo

[jeffk]

I'm beginning to wonder if at least some of this puffing of the Align packs isn't just the shrink wrap swelling up with heated air if they get a bit too warm.

I'm on my second Align puffer and while running it in my small electric plank (which is the only thing I'll use it for now) it puffed when I ran it a bit too long. However, it didn't seem spngy like other packs do after they puff, and the cells seemed to be the same size as normal under the shrink wrap.

Once it cooled down, it was back to exactly the normal size and there were no soft spots in any of the cells. I also only discharged it to 85% (slightly over the rule-of-thumb) so I don't know if it actually "puffed".

[jeffros1805]

I flew 3 packs tonight, 2 FP's and the align. Still puffed, still get 6 -7 minute flights. Its still warmer than the FP's by about 20 degrees but still performes ok.

Im going to use it untill it gets too weak or swells to the extreme.

[Neil_J]

I'm beginning to wonder if at least some of this puffing of the Align packs isn't just the shrink wrap swelling up with heated air if they get a bit too warm.

I'm on my second Align puffer and while running it in my small electric plank (which is the only thing I'll use it for now) it puffed when I ran it a bit too long. However, it didn't seem spngy like other packs do after they puff, and the cells seemed to be the same size as normal under the shrink wrap.

Once it cooled down, it was back to exactly the normal size and there were no soft spots in any of the cells. I also only discharged it to 85% (slightly over the rule-of-thumb) so I don't know if it actually "puffed".

Mine has been doing that for some time now. The first time it puffed, I left it outside overnight and the next morning it shrunk down to normal size. I've since put a few dozen flights on it and it seems to be doing fine. A few guys at the field seem to agree it's the packaging, not the lipo cells. I'd still feel better if someone ripped one open and confirmed it :)

[jeffk]

I've even thought about slipping a 1" piece of antenna tubing under the shrink wrap to see if that alleviates some air pressure and prevents that from happening. I'm just worried about damaging the packs.