So I had 6 LIPO batteries, 3 in series, 2 parallel each, and I decided "oh hey, I wonder how big of a spark this will make" so I short circuited it, and 1 or 2 of my lipos let out the magic smoke. I quickly rush everything outside
2 minutes later, I go outside with my multimeter to find which one died, and they all display the same voltage: 4.17 volts. What the fuck.
Do I throw out all of the lipos now, or is the one that let out the magic smoke still safe to use?
It is a really bad idea to short LiPo batteries as they can overheat and explode. I am assuming you are using 3.7v batteries or individual cells. How long did you short them for and how much smoke was there?
I am no expert but because its still giving a normal voltage i am inclined to think that if it was a small amount of smoke it was probably just been a wire overheating/ starting to melt Or some plastic melting. Therefore the cells are probably fine.
However if it was a lot of smoke i would personally call it a write off.
They 6 batteries that I used were all charged to around 4.13-4.18v.
I shorted them for about 3 seconds before 1 or 2 of them decided to let out the magic smoke, which made me run for the door and leave them outside for a little bit.
The smoke definitely came for the batteries because it did not have the solder-type smell, and it was A LOT which came out quick.
After 30 minutes outside, I individually tested each cell, and they all have me a voltage, and was able to power a small motor. They all seem to be working now? Making the smoke was a warning sign? Lol
Well if there was a lot of smoke i would not use the ones the smoke came from anymore. They might work at low current draw but it might go wrong at higher currents or if they overheat again.
Edit: Also I'm getting the impression these are small cells i was initial thinking you were thinking about the type of thing you put in a model helicopter.