Flying with Lencarta Safari Li-on

D

Darren Campbell

Suspended / Banned
Messages
34
Name
Darren
Edit My Images
No
Now summer is upon us, I will be flying across the EU for the first time with Safari Li-on batteries and packs. I am aware there has been discussion about this before - only carry spare batteries in ones hand luggage and with the connection points taped, etc - but how does one go about taping the points on this battery and has anyone ever had their big batteries withheld?

The Lencarta manual states the following:

Air travel
All Lithium batteries can catch fire if subjected to intense heat, and will burn fiercely if they do catch fire.
This is not a problem under any normal circumstances because the battery contains substantially less
than the maximum amount of lithium allowed, and as far as we are aware, all airlines are happy to allow
a lithium battery to be carried on their aircraft. You may have heard that airlines do not allow lithium
batteries to be carried, but the restrictions apply to commercial quantities of lithium batteries, not on
personal use items or where the battery is an essential part of the equipment, as with the Safari Li-on.

... but, unfortunately, does not offer any procedure for flying with batteries.

These are commercial shoots and I already have enough to be thinking about, without having to leave my batteries behind.

Many thanks.
 
The instructions are a bit vague because although there are specific rules that apply to ALL lithium batteries (primarily to safeguard against the danger involved with the throwaway ones) we're not aware of any specific rules governing the transportation of individual types of lithium battery.

But it's not something to worry about. Every airline that I've travelled on allows them to be carried without problem. Their requirements are simple.
1. Remove the battery from the appliance, so the appliance has no power supply
2. Carry each battery in a plastic bag, and seal the bag (sellotape or similar)
3. Do not carry more than 3 of these batteries (allowing 1 + 2 spares)
 
You can do either, but personally I carry the battery in hand luggage, so that it doesn't get frozen in the hold
 
Do they come with this info on them?


Certified for air transportation: Profoto LiFe batteries are tested and certified according to UN manual of Test & Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38,3.

No idea whether its criteria or just caution.
 
No they don't. Some people (not me of course) would say that that was just *******s, just as some people (not me of course) would say the same about a marketing statement by a competitor, advising people to buy their own product with a lead battery because of air travel regulations.

If you want to read all about it, you'll see that there is actually no problem at all. Dangerous Goods Office publication, the nearest thing there is to complete clarity on the subject.
 
Well, 16 flights later and I experienced no difficulty travelling with the Safari Li-on battery in the cabin. No one batted an eyelid during my travels and I was never once asked to open my bag.

After much advance research on the interweb and listening to anecdotal evidence - I have to come down on Garry's side and agree: manufacturer's appear to be taking advantage of traveller's fear of flying with their kit - and actively exploiting this through their spokespersons.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top