FlyboyOz From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 1893 posts, RR: 28 Posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 2969 times:
I flew on a wonderful SQ B773ER's Y class seats. My new Y seat has got a powerpoint so I was thinking of charging batteries. However, a safety card said that charging batteries are not allowed when take off, landing and cruising. Is that because they could be heat up or will consume too much power for too long if I forgot to take batteries out or something. Is it possible to charge batteries in the air if I ignored the safety card's rule?
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 2934 times:
Quote: Will my battery charge while I'm plugged in?
Don't count on it. Again, because of the limited amount of power draw per seat, it is possible that your laptop won't get enough power to both operate and charge. Some airlines, like Continental Airlines, specifically state that battery charging is not allowed and ask you to remove your rechargeable battery from your device.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18821 posts, RR: 64 Reply 2, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 2915 times:
The problem really is the wattage both a charging battery and a working laptop would draw. The two combined could be twice the wattage of the outlet. You usually have to choose between charging your laptop, or working without the battery, or with the battery already being full, so it doesn't draw from the outlet as well. There are a number of good threads on this at flyertalk.com, this being one of them:
SirDeath From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 2816 times:
It depends on the type of accumulator. If it is Pb-acid, it will vent hydrogen, an inflammable gas. Now for most consumer products, Pb-acid batteries produce so little hydrogen, it shouldn't be an issue, especially on flights which are non-smoking ( PK is the only major that comes to mind). Otherwise, just beware of those bad Sony batteries that like to explode!
VC-10 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 1999, 3677 posts, RR: 37 Reply 4, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 2757 times:
Quoting FlyboyOz (Thread starter): However, a SAFETY card said that charging batteries are not allowed when take off, landing and cruising. Is that because they could be heat up or will consume too much power for too long if I forgot to take batteries out or something. Is it possible to charge batteries in the air if I ignored the SAFETY card's rule?
I think you are missing the key word in the above statement. I've highlighted it for you.
It may come as a surprise, but the airlines don't have these rules just to spoil you enjoyment of a flight.
JetJeanes From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 1415 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 2690 times:
I would hate for a laptop to burst into flames while seated on a plane,, fire is about the only thing that bothers me when flying
Kdm From New Zealand, joined Feb 2006, 115 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 2590 times:
SQ used to tell you to remove batteries if using the in seat power but they no longer do. I assumed that they had relaxed the whole removing batteries thing.
VC-10 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 1999, 3677 posts, RR: 37 Reply 7, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2548 times:
Quoting Kdm (Reply 6): SQ used to tell you to remove batteries if using the in seat power but they no longer do. I assumed that they had relaxed the whole removing batteries thing.
They might not just have 'relaxed' the rule, they may have modified the wiring installation first. Something other operators may not have done.
Keesje From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2519 times:
I was "in charge" of this issue at an airline once upon a time. An American entrepreneur had found a solution for batteries to explode while charged during flight. Then he made a video showing an exploding laptop battery and send it to all the airlines, passenger organisations, NTSB, pilot organisations and the FAA.
He was very aggressively promoting the new problem and his (patented) solution. I was invited in a panel in a Silicon Valley battery power conference on the issue together with someone from SR and the US pilot union. I particularly remember the fun sushi party afterwards in a penthouse.
This smart friendly fanatic guy was the chairman of "roadwarriors'" or something, anyone remember this about 7 yrs ago?
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2427 times:
I got to thinking about this a little more. I've noticed that when I charge my cell phone using the car charger, the battery life isn't as long as when I charge it using a charger that plugs into an outlet at home. The same probably holds true if you tried to charge your laptop, iPod, PDA, cell phone, etc. using the on board outlet. So even if an airline allowed passengers to charge their electronic devices using the on board system, it probably should only be used for that function if absolutely necessary. More and more airports have free charging stations where one can hook up their laptop, cell phone, PDA, etc. and charge them while waiting for your flight. So if you're somewhere that has such a setup available, try to recharge your devices as best as you can before you get on board.
Its not really an issue with power availability; moreso safety.
Quoting FlyboyOz (Thread starter): Is it possible to charge batteries in the air if I ignored the safety card's rule?
You might be able to, if the outlet is not "power limited" which I highly doubt it isn'y.
Quoting Srbmod (Reply 1): Some airlines, like Continental Airlines, specifically state that battery charging is not allowed and ask you to remove your rechargeable battery from your device.
Exactly. There is a small, yet not that small, chance for explosions for fire during Li-Ion charging.
Quoting Srbmod (Reply 1): I was of the understanding that it draws too much power from the electrical system
I believe that most of the smart airlines use power limited outlets which are specifically designed to limit power output, in an attempt to prevent the batteries from charging.
Quoting VC-10 (Reply 4): t is Pb-acid, it will vent hydrogen, an inflammable gas. Now for most consumer products, Pb-acid batteries produce so little hydrogen
Modern lead acid batteries are sealed, so its not really an issue. However, the bulk of modern consumer portable electronics are powered by Li-Ion which is not the most safe chemistry out there, but is extremely light and definately getting cheaper by the day now that China is spooling up in Li-Ion production.
Sony batteries have the highest profile laptop battery explosion infamy.
Quoting Keesje (Reply 8): This smart friendly fanatic guy was the chairman of "roadwarriors'" or something, anyone remember this about 7 yrs ago?
I might know who you are talking about.
Fire caused by charging Li-ion batteries, or fully charged Li-Ion batteries is a major concern and its only a matter of time before we have a fire on a passenger air craft. Big problems have already happened on cargo aircract with fully charged Li-Ion batteries. I have already had to change two packs for my Mac, because Sony and Samsung shipped defective battery packs which posed a fire hazzard.
I know a chief power engineer at a major electronics company who has told me that he thinks that charging laptop batteries in a plane is an accident waiting to happen.
Analog From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 1900 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2238 times:
Quoting Iwok (Reply 11): I know a chief power engineer at a major electronics company who has told me that he thinks that charging laptop batteries in a plane is an accident waiting to happen.
It's not just a danger on aircraft. Make sure you wear thick pants when your notebook is plugged in and on your lap.
MarkHKG From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 960 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2232 times:
What really sucks about a Lithium Ion battery fire onboard an aircraft is that there really isn't any way to put it out until all the cells rupture. Water extinguishers are a no-no as it can generate hydrogen gas if sprayed onto the battery-- and halon extinguishers don't help lithium ion fire from being extinguished as halon cannot disrupt the reaction chain-- it can only help prevent surrounding objects from catching fire.
I remember a FAA circular suggesting that laptops that have caught fire be placed in a "secure" area like an oven. Fairly sure your omelettes never get that hot-- also, one wonders how to bring the laptop to the oven in the first place if it is already on fire.
Release your seat-belts and get out! Leave everything!
Analog From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 1900 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2217 times:
Quoting MarkHKG (Reply 13): I remember a FAA circular suggesting that laptops that have caught fire be placed in a "secure" area like an oven. Fairly sure your omelettes never get that hot-- also, one wonders how to bring the laptop to the oven in the first place if it is already on fire.
Given the videos I've seen, I'd wait until the fire was out. Then I'd move the notebook. The carpets and seats aren't flammable, are they?
MarkHKG From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 960 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2195 times:
Quoting Analog (Reply 14): The carpets and seats aren't flammable, are they?
Given enough heat or time, they'll still burn even if they meet current FAA flammability standards. Interiors items are designed to be fire-resistant, rather than fire-proof.
Release your seat-belts and get out! Leave everything!
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