No Crash, Just BURN

[jack01]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gpenner
	I was using A123 2300s. Had three sets in there. I don't believe there was any fault with the batteries them selves... Someone else suggested that it might have been a back-fire...? Is that possible? I just got a call from someone who has a used Carden 540. (thinking) Thanks for comments. Life does go on.

Your idea about a short somewhere in the ignition wiring is more likely... The wires past your switch were probably shorted somewhere. Then, when you turned the switch on, POOF.

The Carden Edge would be a good airplane. They fly really well, and will last you a long time. Just make sure the plane hasn't been beat on too badly.

[gpenner]

Someone saw the picture and called me with a used Carden/DA 150. It's in the back of my vehicle and maybe the air tomorrow. It looks brand new with only a small nick that looks like hanger rash. The pocket book is not as happy, but I'm getting there.

Time to get myself a fire extinguisher.

[jack01]

Well congrats on the Carden! They're kinda like a parrot: Take care of it, and it'll probably outlive you.

FWIW, the one in my avatar is 8 or 9 years old. I've put 6-10 flights a weekend on it for 5 years, and it's still going strong.

[JEFFRO503]

First off man , i am really sorry for your loss. I couldn't imagine loosing an airplane like that , due to something "unknown" like that. question : did you have an A123 on the ignition as well? Just a thought , but when you turned on the ignition , if there was a short , the battery could of gone instantly into a thermal mode ( smoke and fire) and once that started , it probably melted the fuel lines leading to the motor , which back tracked all the way back to the tank. Hot flames , and balsa are gonna go quick.....extremely quick when you get some gas mixed in there.

I think that is about the only thing that could of happened if you think about it. One of those battery leades could have rubbed on some ply or something , and was just waiting to be turned on.

I feel for you man. Good luck on your next plane. Hopefully it won't detour you from the hobby. You know what they say...."get back on that horse and ride her harder than you did before".

[gpenner]

Had A123s all the way around. All three pairs blew well after the fire started. That said, it only lasted about 5 mintues. No time to get out the frying pan. What a useless feeling to watch the whole thing go up in smoke.

You can bet I'll be watching the wiring very carefully on the next one.

[zoomer260]

Wow. Whatta mess. Did the engine survive ? I would have found something to at least knock the engine off and away from the blaze. Shoot I would have probably used my foot if nothing else !

'Course I was not there, maybe not.

[Kiwi]

Gpenner,

It would almost have to be a short circuit to do that. Unless your tank split or there was a pool of fuel somehow in the plane. It would not be the first time a fuel tank stopper has popped out or a fuel line has come adrift.

If that was the case it would not matter what battery packs you have as NiCd NiMh LiOn or LiPo all have enough grunt to get those ignition feed wires red hot even if just for a split second,

Darn it mate, I am off to the field today and first thing is going to re routing my ignition cabling away from being close to any fuel tank or lines.

That's a good eye opener if nothing else. Sorry for your loss.

[JEFFRO503]

You know i just thought of something , and i don't know why it didn't dawn on me before.....but i haven't seen an aircraft burn to the ground before from just turning on the ignition. For what it's worth , to help prevent something like this , i don't know why some guys don't use something like an lightweight RC charging bag? Something like this >>>>... http://www.hobby-lobby.com/liposack.htm but smaller. I know it couldn't really protect the wires and so forth leading out , but the batteries are actually the part that explodes or catches fire. I told my buddy last night about this thread and the first thing we did was go out and check all our wiring for a mishap like this one. I felt a little sick to my stomach last night after reading this thread......what a friggin' bummer!

[Kiwi]

I just got home from the field and guess what. I found the cables from my ignition battery pack (A123) lying across the fuel lines out of the tank.

These is no doubt in my mind that any decent sort of short circuit would melt that tygon in seconds and whammo, a viking funeral without an invitation.

I really absolutely doubt the battery pack would be an issue given the abilities of A123 to handle all sorts of abuse yet not explode. They might go bang in the fire but I don't think they can burn up like a Lipo cell. That's one of the reasons they are looking to take off in passenger cars.

But anything you can do to prevent the potential is worth it for sure. No matter what pack type you use.

[gpenner]

In answer to the motor question... A friend who rebuilds motorcross engines fears the worst. It was hot enough for the mufflers to melt.

I totally trust the A123 cells. Again, they didn't blow till after the fire cooked them.

Should I have jumped up and down on it? I can't stop the quesiton but I'll never know the answer. The 40 oz of fuel was scarry and the fire was around the tank before I realize. I recall fuel flowing out of the overflow then I saw the flames.

[zoomer260]

I imagine everyone has checked to see where their wires are in relation to the fuel lines after this thread.

Sorry you lost a plane but maybe this thread saved a few. My current flier checked out OK but I did check !

But that may not matter, a fire can start in a balsa plane with the wood for fuel. I see Snap caught a potential problem with one of his.

[gpenner]

If anyone is still reading this... check your home insurance. I didn't expect insurance to cover my airplane at the field but what I found out is... it WILL NOT even cover them at home. My insurance broker informed me this morning that toys and hobbies are now exculded from the policy unless specifically listed. I didn't know of the change. Do YOU?

On a better note. I flew the new "used" Edge this evening and like it better than the first, despite the 25+kph cross winds.

[JEFFRO503]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gpenner
	If anyone is still reading this... check your home insurance. I didn't expect insurance to cover my airplane at the field but what I found out is... it WILL NOT even cover them at home. My insurance broker informed me this morning that toys and hobbies are now exculded from the policy unless specifically listed. I didn't know of the change. Do YOU? On a better note. I flew the new "used" Edge this evening and like it better than the first, despite the 25+kph cross winds.

that's a total bummer on the insurance thing man. I know , mine is the same way. BUT....it's great news that you are back up in the air man. I think i have talked to about 50 people so far this past week about this thread , and i'm still in awe.

[Goodie_2_Shoes]

WOW sorry for your loss, thanks for the heads up about the home insurance stuff. Good to hear your found a new plane.

[Flyboy76]

gpenner, i had asked my local insurance broker about it after i bought my first giant scale plane. You have to have an additional rider that covers the planes. It costs me about $25/year and i listed all my RC stuff in it. The bummer about this is then the wife knows how much i have tied up in this hobby/obsession!!

sorry for your loss, but happy to hear your in the air again..

geoff