Article on building a LiPo warmer box

[BikerDon]

I remember reading a recent-ish article on building a LiPo warmer box from an aluminium case as used for transmitters, a pet bed warmer mat and an old LiPo. I'm sure it was in RCM&E, possibly a Special. While I look through my old magazines, search the Internet and search ModelFlying.co.uk does anyone recall it and know which issue it was in please? Now where is that RCM&E index? Oh wait.....

[Shaun Walsh]

I was thinking of making one of these but instead I simply put the batteries in their LipoSafe container in a suitably sized insulated bag with a hot water bottle.

[David Hall 9]

I like the idea of a technical warmer... Warming them certainly makes a difference, particularly for my smaller high C batteries for glider climb-outs. In my shirt pocket, the little packs can get to the high 20's, but for the bigger LiPo's I put them in a (well padded) camera bag with a handwarmer.

[SIMON CRAGG]

I purchased a small 12v warming pad from E.bay a couple of years ago for £4.99. Brilliant bit of kit, and makes a HUGE difference up the field at this time year!

[Dickw]

I made my own warming box using carbon tow as the heating element and a digital thermal switch off ebay

I don't have a photo of the box, but the attached pic of a heated cradle for holding my electric glider fuselage while waiting to fly should give you an idea of what I did with the box.

Dick

[Bruce Collinson]

Got two, one for LiPos and another for the Tx.

I recall the RCM&E article clearly, would have said within the last 15 months, but OTT albeit very nice engineering.

I use a safe bag for LiPos, handy, keeps them together etc. I put a 6v pet mat in the bottom of it and on a cold flying day I plug that into my big charger which has 2 USB ports, early on as soon as the pink ticket is stamped, and leave it there till the last minute. Then I plug it into a cheapo powerbank-type battery and put that in the safe bag, put it in the wife's car and set off. It seems effective, keeps the cold off the LiPos and leaves everything inside the safe bag, although I think that's a relative term.

For the (aluminium)Tx I lined the bottom of the case with radiator insulant, put the heat mat on top of that with its power feed poking out and plug a better powerbank in which fits the foam cutouts easily and all closes comfortably. The joy of a warm transmitter on a cold day ...

Can't claim credit for second, a clubmate beat me to it. Make sure you select the right voltage in the heat mats as there are some 12v versions which I'm sure are fine with a suitable battery, but not a powerbank, which is a handy thing when all of the wifes iThings are using all of the relevant bits of wire etc. Also handy on trips. Not sure of the chemistry but suspect LiOn or NiMH as there are no strictures about staring at them whilst they charge, in the house.

BTC

[BikerDon]

FYI I found the article, it is in the March 2018 issue of RCM&E.

Thanks for all the ideas here though. I reckon I'll pinch the ideas I like the best from all of them.

I've got no excuses now have I?