LITHIUM ION/POLYMER BATTERY SAFETY WARNINGS
Vitally important safety information
Ensure that the charger and battery are placed on a non-flammable
surface whilst charging and ideally charge outdoors wherever
possible. NEVER charge a Lithium ION/Polymer battery inside a
vehicle whatever the circumstances.
Ensure that the charger is correctly set for the battery being charged,
checking both voltage and capacity. Be particularly careful if using a
series/parallel battery pack, or if using packs of different
specifications with the same charger.
Never charge at a rate higher than that recommended by the cell
manufacturer, this can be very dangerous.
DO NOT leave Lithium ION/Polymer batteries unattended whilst
they are charging. Monitoring the batteries during charging is very
important.
If the temperature sensor is not being used monitor the temperature
of the battery being charged every few minutes. If the battery
becomes hot to the touch, disconnect it from the charger
immediately and allow to cool. Do not recommence charging until
the battery and charger have been checked for compatibility and the
charger settings have been confirmed as being correct.
In the unlikely event of the Lithium ION/Polymer battery catching fire
DO NOT use water to attempt to put the fire out, instead use sand or a
fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires.
If used correctly, Lithium ION/Polymer battery packs are as safe
as any other type of rechargeable battery pack. However they do
require different charge regimes to the longer established Nickel
Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride technologies and do have to
potential of catching fire if severely mistreated.
If Lithium Polymer battery packs are short-circuited or severely
over-charged elemental Lithium may be deposited internally, and
if the battery pouch is damaged this can escape from inside the
battery. If this occurs a fire may be caused, as elemental Lithium
is highly reactive when exposed to water or moisture, producing
flammable hydrogen gas and corrosive fumes. Elemental Lithium is
not produced unless the battery pack is severely mistreated, so in
normal usage there is no likelihood of explosion or fire.
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