Lithium-ion and Air Travel Restrictions

[Kenny Kato]

go with IDX E10 batteries https://www.idxtek.com/

[Ernie Santella]

I’ve been traveling extensively in the US and internationally with Lithium batteries. I’ve not heard one complaint from an airline or TSA yet. They are totally clue-less to what their doing.

Ernie Santella
Santella Film/Video Productions
http://www.santellaproductions.com

[Bob Birkett]

I agree that it is unlikely that a baggage inspector will question the Lithium content of my batteries. Although there is little risk of being caught, is there a real safety risk in checking a case with 3 or4 Dionic 160’s onto a plane? If the batteries are designed with sufficient safeguards, then why the restrictions?

[Leo Ticheli]

I once had a battery catch fire; it happened to be just sitting on the studio floor, not subjected to any trauma or heat; one moment all was well, the next it was alight.

The amount of flame & heat was significant. Luckily, it was not attached to a camera or charger and was not near anything flammable. By the way, why do “flammable” and “inflammable” mean the same thing?

Certainly enough impact to make one think.

I’d hate to go down in flames because someone thought it was cool to illegally pack their batteries in the cargo hold of my airplane.

I think I’ll waste some time writing a note to the TSA advising them to train their highly skilled staff to this potential deadly problem.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

[Ernie Santella]

That still doesn’t solve a fire problem with even one battery that is allowed by law. If it goes up if flames, that is a serious problem.

So… what do you suggest to us who travel weekly on airlines for shoots? Even shipping them by UPS or FedEx still has the potential for fire.

Ernie Santella
Santella Film/Video Productions
http://www.santellaproductions.com

[Leo Ticheli]

Check this out:

https://www.antonbauer.com/li_ion_trans_faqs.htm

I believe a battery fire is extremely rare, but they have much more potential for harm than we usually realize.

Because they are so heavy and the airlines are so much more weight sensitive, we often rent batteries at the shooting location rather can fly with several. I do always carry on a couple.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

[Bob Birkett]

So, it looks like it’s considered safe and legal to travel with the larger Lithium-ion batteries if you can convince your sound person and producer to carry a couple on and you don’t check them.

According to the IATA:
https://www.iata.org/nr/contentconnector/cs2000/siteinterface/sites/whatwedo/dangerousgoods/file/table2.3.aenglish2005.pdf

“Lithium ion batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 g but not more than 25 g may be carried in carry-on baggage if they are individually protected so as to prevent short circuits and are limited to two spare batteries per person.”

There are a few options to consider here.
Thanks for the help.
Bob Birkett

[Tony]

I hope to never be on the plane which goes down due to a battery malfunction or worst fire.

Wait I second I would think you would not want to be on that same plane also.

Ever consider that as an option?

Tony Salgado

[Ernie Santella]

Man, this is a tough questions!

relating to Leo’s post aboove about renting batteries at the shoot locations, I travel to some of the most god-forsaken remote locations (Artic circle, Rainforests etc) There’s no way to rent batteries at those places.

Somehow, I don’t believe national news crews don’t carry batteries on Airforce one when they do press tours?

Anybody got other ideas?

Ernie Santella
Santella Film/Video Productions
http://www.santellaproductions.com

[Leo Ticheli]

I feel your pain.

There is no rental facility where you shoot and you wish to avoid the extra weight of conventional batteries.

You can either smuggle on board the lithium batteries and possibly kill a couple of hundred people in a flaming plane crash, or use the conventional batteries which are safer but may incur extra luggage charges.

It’s your choice, but please let me know your flight schedule if you’re going the lithium smuggling route so I can catch another flight!

I should think a call to Anton Bauer can give you the best options.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo