Slight puffing TrakPower

Hello,

Let me say up front that I LOVE my TrackPower 4900 batteries...they have been amazing. Anyway I've got two sets of two packs which I use with my E-Truggy. They are labeled so they always stay together...anyway tonight I was packing up my gear for a race tomorrow and I noticed that one pair didn't sit flat on my table. They had a very slight bow to them. It was so subtle that I didn't really see it, but I can tell very easily when I put them on a flat surface. The case isn't cracked, it's very subtle.

Anyway what do you guys think...are they safe to use? Does this indicate the packs are damaged/defective? I have emailed Duralite support (tonight) I just don't expect an answer till Monday at the earliest.

I've been using LiPo packs for 3 years and I'm well aware of the charge/discharge rules. These packs (used in a 4s config) have never been below 13.75v, most of the time they are well in the high 14v range (14.7+) when I finish the races and recharge them. I also balance them each time I charge...

Any advice would be appreciated, I will post when I hear back from Duralite.

Thank you,

DM

In my experience, heat can and will puff a cell too. I'd open up the case, if you can, and check the cells. Any puffing means that the cell is done. I wouldn't run it. It will only get worse, if not catch fire.

[skellyo]

It's also possible that heat has warped the plastic casing itself, and it's not the cells. The only way to know for sure if it's the cells is to open the case and see.

Duralite had replied to my email by noon on Monday. They were super. I had explained that I needed them desperately for this weekends Monster Madness race and they immediately send replacements via 3-day select shipping at no cost! I was able to send them photos and even a short video clip showing the slight puffing and they didn't want to mess around, they just want to replace them...amazing customer service...My other pair of TrackPower's are still running great. Great product and great service, perfect combination!

[Serum]

Great! thanks for the update, this kind of service is amazing.!

[skellyo]

Excellent! They were quite helpful to for me when I had a DOA V-Balancer from them.

Now here's an interesting question...we know Mike gets his from Duralite, I believe amainhobbies.com gets theirs from duralite and you can buy direct from duralite. However, I wonder what kind of warranty issues someone would face if they purchased the same item from towerhobbies.com since they deal with flightpower directly?

That's a good question. It appears that duralite is willing to go way above and beyond. Is this the way the manufacturer deals with things or is this just the practice of the distributor?

[bdebde]

Originally Posted by skellyo

Excellent! They were quite helpful to for me when I had a DOA V-Balancer from them.

Now here's an interesting question...we know Mike gets his from Duralite, I believe amainhobbies.com gets theirs from duralite and you can buy direct from duralite. However, I wonder what kind of warranty issues someone would face if they purchased the same item from towerhobbies.com since they deal with flightpower directly?

I hope I don't have to find out, I just ordered a flightpower from tower.

[skellyo]

Found a little info that may help with any warranty issues for anyone buying Flightpowers from tower:

http://www.flightpower.co.uk/News/op...8&parent=front

[bdebde]

Nice to know. I like the 50% crash damage replacement too.