Hi,
I intend to use the FONA 3G in a monitoring system for a pellet heater and since this will be a system that runs 24/7 I'm curious as to what input you all have concerning battery safety. The LiPo have internal protective circuitry, but I still am not entirely comfortable using them. Anyone have any input on possible caveats or can I proceed without further reservations?
Thanks in advance!
Chris
FONA 3G battery safety
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- dastels
- Posts: 15820
- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 3:22 pm
Re: FONA 3G battery safety
I've never worried about it and have never had any issue. Pretty much any/every portable electronic gadget has a LiPo inside. You phone, watch, fitbit, bluetooth head/ear phones, etc. Treat them well and you'll be fine: don't puncture them, don't short them, and don't heat them excessively. Read https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries for more information.
Dave
Dave
- rpiloverbd
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:13 am
Re: FONA 3G battery safety
Here are some lipo battery safety tips that you may find helpful: https://m.greenway-battery.com/news/LIP ... ng-55.html
- rskup
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:04 pm
Re: FONA 3G battery safety
Like yourself I've worried here and there about lipo's (even though I have several cell boards and lipo's scattered haphazardly all over my benchtop at the moment).
You could use a lipo charging box if you really wanted to be safe, often see them in the RC websites, etc....
Just google "lipo charging box". They're metal with thick insulation and vent holes.
You could use a lipo charging box if you really wanted to be safe, often see them in the RC websites, etc....
Just google "lipo charging box". They're metal with thick insulation and vent holes.
- C_R
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:34 am
Re: FONA 3G battery safety
Thank you all for your input! I guess I'm excessively cautious due to the fact that I'm doing this project for an acquaintance.
The FONA-module will be constantly powered, and therefore constantly charging the battery, and wall-mounted in a box near the heater.
As the heater goes into error mode it will output a 230 VAC-signal to a relay mounted in the same box connected to an Arduino, which in turn controls the FONA.
I think it will work out just fine, but feel a little more reassured after your comments.
Stay hacking and thanks again!
/Chris
The FONA-module will be constantly powered, and therefore constantly charging the battery, and wall-mounted in a box near the heater.
As the heater goes into error mode it will output a 230 VAC-signal to a relay mounted in the same box connected to an Arduino, which in turn controls the FONA.
I think it will work out just fine, but feel a little more reassured after your comments.
Stay hacking and thanks again!
/Chris
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88145
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: FONA 3G battery safety
The RC hobby use-case pushes LiPo cells to their limits and a fireproof charging box is a sensible precaution for that hobby. RC LiPo packs are designed for ultra-high charge and discharge rates. And many intentionally leave out the protection circuit (better to land your plane with a damaged cell then to crash due to an abrupt power cutout).You could use a lipo charging box if you really wanted to be safe, often see them in the RC websites, etc....
All the cells in our store are equipped with protection circuits to guard against over-current and over-discharge. And our chargers default to a relatively low charge rate to minimize stress on the cells. If you size the cell appropriately for the load and keep the cell protected from physical damage and temperature extremes, the risk of problems is quite low.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.