Batteries, LED Hoops

Plane Travel with your LED Hoop & Lithium-ion Batteries

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✈️ Traveling with LED Hoop Batteries on a Plane

✅ Short Version (Quick Answer)

Yes, you can fly with your LED hoop and its batteries, as long as you follow some simple safety guidelines:

  • Spare hoop batteries must go in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
  • Keep batteries in a plastic battery case to prevent short circuits.
  • MoodHoop batteries are well below the FAA's 100 Wh limit.
  • Always inspect your batteries before traveling—do not bring damaged ones.
  • Hoops can be packed in checked luggage or carried on, but avoid crushing or kinking the tubing.
  • If you're unsure, check with your airline or show them this FAA page.

🛑 Do not bring loose hoop batteries rolling around in your bag, luggage or purse (in general, not just at the airport), as this can start a fire if short circuited by keys, coins, or other items in the same compartment.

Always use a protective plastic battery case for your hoop batteries, like this one.

📘 Long Version: Air Travel Guidelines for Lithium-Ion Batteries for LED Hoops

Our LED hoops use removable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in two common sizes:

🔋 Battery Types We Use:

  • 14500 Battery = 750 mAh | 3.7V  (PixelHoop & Classic 3/4”)
  • 10440 Battery = 600 mAh | 3.7V  (FutureHoop & Classic 5/8”)

🧠 Battery Watt-Hour (Wh) Calculation

To determine if a battery is allowed on a plane, the FAA and TSA limit spare lithium-ion batteries to 100 Watt-hours (Wh) or less. 

You can calculate a battery’s Wh using this formula: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000

Let’s break it down:

  • 14500 Battery: (750 mAh × 3.7 V) ÷ 1000 = 2.775 Wh
  • 10440 Battery: (600 mAh × 3.7 V) ÷ 1000 = 2.22 Wh

✅ Both batteries are well under the 100 Wh limit and are allowed on planes.

🔹 Long Version (Full Guide with Details + Links)

🧳 Flying with Your Hoop

Plane travel with your hoop shouldn’t be a problem — many MoodHoopers have taken theirs on flights successfully! Just keep these two key concerns in mind:

  1. Collapsing Your Hoop for Travel
  • Watch: How to Collapse Your Hoop
  • Depending on the collapsed size, you may be able to:
    • Pack it in your checked bag
    • Carry it on in the cabin (preferred)

       

  • ✨Tip: Avoid overhead bins if possible, or monitor it closely to prevent others from squishing it — compressed tubing can become kinked or cracked, which isn’t covered under warranty.

     

  1. Packing Hoop Batteries (Lithium-Ion)
  • Spare (uninstalled) batteries must only go in your carry-on bag.
  • NEVER put loose lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage.
  • Always use a plastic battery case to protect the terminals and prevent short circuits.
  • Find them here: Hoop Battery Travel Cases

     

🛅 Important Guidelines from the FAA & TSA

Here’s what you need to know:

  • 🔋 Spare lithium-ion batteries must be carried in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage is not allowed for loose batteries.
  • 🧳 Installed batteries (batteries already inside your hoop) are okay in both carry-on and checked baggage, though carry-on is recommended.
  • ⚠️ Battery terminals must be protected. Use a plastic battery travel case, tape over the terminals, or keep them snug in a padded pouch or original packaging.
  • 🔍 Inspect your batteries before flying. Do not bring damaged, swollen, or leaking batteries.
  • 🔥 If your battery ever gets hot, smokes, or expands during travel, alert the flight crew immediately.
  • ❌ Batteries meant for resale/distribution are not allowed.
  • 📋 Always check your airline’s battery policy, especially for international flights. Rules can vary by carrier.

🔋 Battery Specs and Safety

Your MoodHoop uses:

  • 14500 (PixelHoop & Classic 3/4”):
     750 mAh, 3.7V → 2.78 Wh

  • 10440 (FutureHoop & Classic 5/8”):
     600 mAh, 3.7V → 2.22 Wh

How to calculate Wh:
 Multiply (mAh ÷ 1000) × Volts
 Example: (750 ÷ 1000) × 3.7 = 2.775 Wh

✅ These are well under the 100 Wh limit per battery allowed by the FAA and TSA. You're good to go!

🧳 Travel Checklist for Hoop Batteries:

  • ✅ Carry spare batteries in your carry-on.
  • ✅ Use plastic battery cases.
  • ✅ Check batteries for damage before packing.
  • ✅ Bookmark or print the FAA link just in case you need to show it to security.
  • ❌ Never bring loose, unprotected batteries in any bag.

✅ Final Travel Tips

  • Inspect batteries before packing — don’t fly with any that are swollen, dented, or damaged.
  • Keep the hoop in a padded or protective bag if possible.
  • Let security know you’re traveling with LED hoop equipment if asked.

🌈 Now you’re fully prepped for takeoff with your hoop!

📜 Official Travel Guidelines

Here are links to the official sources for lithium battery travel policies:

💡 Battery Nerd Corner (Optional Info)

Lithium-ion batteries are required to pass strict safety tests, but they still carry risk if mishandled.

A rare but serious issue is called thermal runaway, where the battery can rapidly overheat and catch fire. This may happen due to:

  • Damage
  • Overheating
  • Water exposure
  • Overcharging
  • Packing incorrectly
    ... or rarely, a manufacturing defect.

That’s why we take battery care seriously, and you should too — especially while traveling! ✈️

Important Safety Note:
Flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin. If your hoop battery or any other device starts to overheat, expand, smoke, or burn, notify a flight attendant immediately. 🔥✋ Safety first!

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