Utilizing LiPo Batteries for FPV Drones: Newbie’s Information with High Product Suggestions

LiPo batteries are an unbelievable energy supply for FPV drones, offering a considerable quantity of vitality storage and supply capabilities. Nevertheless, if not dealt with accurately, they’ll pose security dangers. This information will cowl the fundamentals of LiPo batteries for FPV drones, together with secure charging practices and correct storage methods when not in use.

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Disclaimer: The knowledge on this web page is meant as common recommendation. Making certain battery security is your accountability, and you need to use the data offered at your individual threat.

Battery Suggestions

When selecting LiPo batteries, at all times go for respected manufacturers to make sure efficiency and high quality. Select the smaller packs if you need a lighter, extra agile drone; select the bigger packs in case you prioritize flight time over dealing with. Observe {that a} bigger pack can ship extra present at the price of barely better weight, so there’s a commerce off to be made.

5″ Freestyle and Racing Drones

The commonest LiPo batteries used on 5″ FPV drones for freestyle and racing are 4S and 6S voltage. To grasp the variations between 4S and 6S, go to: https://oscarliang.com/6s-mini-quad-racing-drone/. Go together with 6S in case you are on the fence, it’s just about the business commonplace in 2024. Typical battery capability for 4S is round 1300mAh  to 1600mAh, and for 6S that’s round 1000mah to 1300mah.

For 3″ FPV Drones

For micro drone batteries suggestions (Tiny whoops, 2″, 3″, 3.5″), try this put up: https://oscarliang.com/whoop-toothpick-lipo-battery/.

Are LiPo Batteries Secure?

When dealt with accurately, LiPo batteries are completely secure. Nevertheless, LiPo batteries might catch hearth on account of improper dealing with or bodily harm. Making certain security includes cautious remedy and vigilance in dealing with your batteries.

Understanding LiPo Battery Fundamentals

Lithium polymer batteries, or LiPo batteries, boast an distinctive power-to-weight ratio, making them a super selection for FPV drones.

To pick the suitable LiPo battery, it’s essential to learn to interpret its specs and grow to be aware of important terminology, which will probably be defined within the following sections.

LiPo Battery Voltage

LiPo batteries include particular person cells, every with a nominal voltage of three.7V, which is indicated on the battery label.

A LiPo battery is designed to function safely inside a selected voltage vary, usually between 3.0V and 4.2V. Overcharging a LiPo battery above 4.2V is harmful and will result in a fireplace. Discharging beneath 3V might end in irreversible efficiency degradation or battery harm. This minimal voltage can also be known as the cut-off voltage. It’s typically advisable to cease discharging when the battery reaches 3.5V per cell to increase its lifespan.

Cell Rely

LiPo batteries might have a number of cells. The ‘S’ score on a battery refers to t±±he variety of cells it has. So, a 6S battery has six cells, a 4S battery has 4, and so forth. As a result of every cell has a nominal voltage of three.7V, a 4S battery has a nominal voltage of 4 x 3.7V = 14.8V, whereas a 6S battery has a nominal voltage of 6 x 3.7V = 22.2V.

Battery voltage immediately impacts motor velocity, so utilizing the next cell-count battery can improve your drone’s energy (assuming the drone helps the upper voltage). Nevertheless, including extra cells additionally makes the battery heavier and dearer.

Within the passion, we usually check with batteries by their cell rely or “S” designation:

• 1S = 1 cell = 3.7V
• 2S = 2 cells = 7.4V
• 3S = 3 cells = 11.1V
• 4S = 4 cells = 14.8V
• 5S = 5 cells = 18.5V
• 6S = 6 cells = 22.2V

For instance, we name a 14.8V battery a “4-cell” or simply “4S” battery.

Attention-grabbing info:

• Connecting two similar batteries in collection doubles the voltage however doesn’t change capability (e.g., two 2S 1000mAh batteries in collection grow to be a 4S 1000mAh battery). Connecting them in parallel doubles capability whereas sustaining the identical voltage (e.g., a 2S 2000mAh pack).
• LiPos may use a “P” designation for voltage, with “P” indicating the variety of cells in parallel. 2S1P means “2 cells in collection and 1 cell in parallel.” If a battery doesn’t have a “P,” it’s assumed to be “1P,” so 2S1P and 2S are the identical.
• 3S2P means “3 cells in collection and a couple of cells in parallel.” This battery has a complete of 6 cells, with 2 parallel teams of cells, every containing 3 cells in collection.

Capability

The capability of a LiPo battery, measured in mAh (milliampere-hour), signifies how a lot present you may draw from the battery repeatedly for an hour till it’s empty. Observe that 1000mAh equals 1Ah.

For instance, with a 1300mAh LiPo (or 1.3Ah), it might take an hour to be utterly discharged in case you draw a continuing 1.3A present from it. If the present draw doubles to 2.6A, the length could be halved (1.3/2.6=0.5). Should you draw 39A of present continuous, the pack would final solely 2 minutes (1.3/39=1/30 of an hour).

Growing your battery capability may provide longer flight time, however the tradeoff is a heavier, bigger battery. Weight considerably impacts an plane’s flight time, so it’s important to decide on a battery with an optimum stability between capability and weight for max effectivity.

Greater capability batteries might additionally present larger discharge currents, as defined within the subsequent part.

C Ranking

C Ranking is an indicator of the utmost present you may safely draw from a LiPo battery with out inflicting harm. In idea, this may be calculated by:

Most Present Draw = Capability x C-Ranking

Drawing extra present than specified by the C-rating just isn’t advisable, because the battery can overheat, improve inner resistance over time, shorten battery lifespan, and even trigger thermal runaway (catching hearth) in excessive circumstances.

Batteries with larger C-ratings are typically heavier and bigger even on the similar capability. For instance, these two 4S 650mAh batteries proven within the picture have completely different weight and sizes on account of differing C-ratings.

 A better C-rating battery provides higher efficiency, particularly for power-hungry drones, nevertheless it’s not at all times the only option. On a low-power cruiser, further energy from the next C-rating battery may be pointless, whereas the added weight might be counterproductive and end in much less flight time. It’s all about utilizing the appropriate software for the job.

Though C-rating might be a great tool, it has grow to be largely a advertising software in recent times, so take it with a grain of salt. Manufacturers may inflate C-rating numbers, making it meaningless for comparability between manufacturers. Nevertheless, it might nonetheless be useful for selecting a battery from the identical model, assuming they comply with the identical commonplace. So long as you choose batteries from our suggestions, C-rating shouldn’t be a significant concern.

Inside Resistance

All electrical elements have resistance, together with batteries. The resistance inside a battery is known as inner resistance (IR), which signifies how a lot the battery resists present stream. Inside resistance can be utilized to measure LiPo battery efficiency. Decrease IR means the battery can ship energy to your FPV drone extra successfully.

Monitoring IR over time can also be helpful for figuring out when to retire a LiPo battery. LiPo cells’ IR will increase slowly with time and utilization, an inevitable and irreversible course of. The next dangerous practices can speed up battery growing older:

• Over-discharging and over-charging
• Pushing the battery too laborious by discharging at the next present than it’s rated for, for an prolonged interval
• Overheating

The largest issue affecting a battery’s most discharge price is its inner resistance. Excessive IR results in extra noticeable voltage drop as you improve throttle, a phenomenon generally known as “voltage sag”. As voltage decreases, motors lose RPM, and the drone feels much less highly effective and responsive.

Some batteries are designed for low-current purposes (e.g., 8C or 10C score for powering a radio), which inherently have larger IR. 18650 Li-ion batteries even have larger IR than typical LiPo batteries, which is regular.

For extra info on when to retire a battery and easy methods to measure inner resistance, try our devoted article on the subject: https://oscarliang.com/when-retire-lipo-battery/

Discharge Connector

All LiPo batteries include two units of wires/connectors: the discharge connector (fundamental lead) and stability connector (stability lead). Nevertheless, 1S batteries solely have a discharge connector since balancing just isn’t required for 1 cell.

The discharge lead usually consists of two thicker pink and black wires used to energy the FPV drone.

One other set of smaller wires connects to a white connector; that is the stability lead. The variety of wires is dependent upon the battery’s cell rely.

The commonest discharge connector is the XT60, primarily utilized in 5″ FPV drones or bigger. For smaller drones, the XT30, a smaller model of the XT60, is commonly used. They’ve comparable shapes however differ in sizes and present scores.

Different battery connectors generally utilized in FPV drones and tools embody:

For extra info on electrical wires and connectors, check with our in-depth article on the subject: https://oscarliang.com/wires-connectors/

Steadiness Connector

LiPo batteries with a couple of cell will at all times have a stability lead, which is for monitoring and balancing cell voltages. The official identify of the stability connector is JST-XH.

You have to to attach the stability result in the charger when charging. This permits the charger to verify and stability the voltage of every cell throughout charging. Importantly, at all times plug within the stability lead earlier than charging!

The variety of wires in a stability lead begins at 3 for a 2S LiPo, and that quantity will increase by 1 for each increment in cell rely:

• 2S – 3 wires
• 3S – 4 wires
• 4S – 5 wires
• 5S – 6 wires
• 6S – 7 wires

It’s not unusual in your stability result in be broken by spinning propellers throughout flight. To learn to restore a damaged stability lead, check with our detailed tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/fix-balance-plug-lipo-replace/

If the stability lead is lengthy, think about using a rubber band to strap it down, it might additionally reduces the vibrations brought on by the dangling cable.

Retaining Battery Balanced

It’s necessary to ensure the cells in a battery are inside comparable vary earlier than utilizing it, in any other case you may threat over-discharging the cells with decrease voltage. Additionally if a battery pack persistently grow to be unbalanced, the cells in all probability have completely different inner resistance and must be inspected extra carefully.

Simply plug within the stability lead right into a voltage checker and it’ll show the voltage of all cells. Get a voltage checker right here: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-tools/#LiPo-Voltage-Checker

Battery Sorts

LiPo

LiPo stands for lithium polymer, it’s the usual battery chemistry used for racing and freestyle FPV drones. LiPo has a totally charged voltage of 4.2 V and storage cost voltage of round 3.85V.

LiHV

LiHV is a particular kind of LiPo battery, with HV standing for “excessive voltage.” They’re extra energy-dense than conventional LiPo batteries and could be charged as much as 4.35V per cell (versus the usual 4.20V). Nevertheless, there are blended evaluations concerning the longevity of LiHV batteries, as they may expertise a lower in efficiency earlier than common LiPos. In our put up, we in contrast a LiHV battery with a LiPo when it comes to efficiency. Regardless of these considerations, LiHV batteries have grow to be a preferred selection for 1S Tiny Whoops as a result of the impression of the upper voltage is important.

Li-Ion

Li-Ion stands for Lithium ion, usually have a a lot larger capability in comparison with LiPo of the identical weight. Due to its larger capability per weight, Li-Ion batteries are nice for lengthy vary flying. Nevertheless it has a lot decrease discharging efficiency, making it not appropriate for aggressive flying. Study extra about Li-Ion batteries and proposals right here: https://oscarliang.com/li-ion-battery-long-range/

Selecting the Proper LiPo Battery

Should you comply with my LiPo battery suggestions, you may keep away from worrying about calculations I’m going to indicate you beneath. Additionally make sure that to avoid “no-name” batteries, and stick with respected manufacturers corresponding to:

• GNB (Gaoneng)
• CNHL (China Passion Line)
• Lumenier (GetFPV)
• RDQ
• Tattu R-Line
• Dogcom

Right here’s I’ll present you ways to decide on a super battery in your drone.

How Many Packs Ought to Newcomers Purchase?

You’ll be able to definitely purchase as many battery packs as you need, however I believe 4 packs is an effective quantity in case you are simply beginning to fly FPV. Assuming every flight lasts round 5 to 10 minutes (making an allowance for the time you stroll to select up your crashed quad, preflight preparation, and quick breaks between flights), you’ll have as much as 40 minutes of flying time with simply 4 packs. When you have a option to cost your batteries within the discipline, you may lengthen your flying time considerably. Study extra about discipline charging right here: https://oscarliang.com/field-charging/

Weight

As a rule of thumb, the battery ought to weigh roughly half the burden of the freestyle or racing drone (excluding the GoPro). Should you comply with my battery suggestions, the efficiency must be adequate, and also you received’t want to think about anything. For lengthy vary and cinematic FPV drones, a bigger battery could also be used to maximise flight time, the place responsiveness and energy isn’t the priorities, the battery could be as heavy because the drone itself or extra.

In case your drone has a unique dimension or weight class, you may comply with the extra guidelines beneath.

Figuring out Drone Present Draw

After deciding on motor and propeller sizes, you need to be capable of discover thrust information in your motor, in addition to the present draw for supported propeller sizes. For instance, with this motor and 5040×3 props, it attracts as much as 36.74A at 100% throttle.

The whole most present draw for a quadcopter with 4 motors could be 36.74 x 4 = 146.96A at 100% throttle. If you wish to play it secure, you should use this quantity to discover a battery with a excessive sufficient C-rating. Nevertheless, I often cut back it by 30-40% for 2 causes: firstly, we not often fly at 100% throttle for various seconds (I personally largely fly at round 40-60% throttle); and secondly, motors draw considerably fewer amps in actual life than in static thrust exams on account of shifting air.

Though different elements additionally draw present, their impression is insignificant in comparison with the motors, so you may often disregard them.

Selecting optimum battery capability

I’ve a desk right here that can assist you resolve what battery dimension you want for specific setup: https://oscarliang.com/table-prop-motor-lipo-weight/

Now it’s essential to work out the appropriate battery capability, which is dependent upon the dimensions of your quadcopter, and C score required. Right here is the final guideline I personally comply with for a freestyle/racing drone:

For 4S LiPo:

7 inch: 1500mah - 2200mah 5 inch: 1300mah - 1800mah 4 inch: 850mah - 1300mmah 3 inch: 650mah -1000mah

For 6S LiPo:

7 inch: 1200mah - 1500mah 5 inch: 900mah - 1300mah 4 inch: 550mah - 900mmah 3 inch: 400mah - 650mah

From there, we are able to calculate the C score requirement utilizing this components:

C Ranking = Present Draw / Capability

Methods to Cost LiPo

Deciding on A LiPo Charger

To cost LiPo batteries, you’ll want a charger particularly designed for them on account of their strict charging necessities. You’ll be able to learn to select a high-quality LiPo charger on this purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/

The next info applies in case you select a charger from my suggestions.

Connecting a LiPo to a Charger

Charging LiPo batteries with most trendy chargers is sort of easy. Usually, you simply have to plug within the XT60 and stability connectors, set a number of parameters, and also you’re good to go.

Charger Modes

• Steadiness Cost: Whereas charging the battery, the charger displays the voltage of every cell and retains them balanced. That is the most secure and most advisable methodology of charging your LiPo battery.
• Storage Cost: The charger brings every cell to storage voltage (which is between 3.80V and three.85V, relying on the charger).
• Discharge: The charger makes an attempt to empty the LiPo battery (this course of could be extraordinarily gradual, relying on the discharging energy of the charger).

The Significance of Steadiness Charging

All the time plug within the stability lead earlier than charging.

Every cell in a battery has slight variations, and after a flight, you may discover that the cell voltages differ. Charging a battery with imbalanced cell voltages with out utilizing the stability lead might result in some cells ending up beneath 4.2V and others exceeding 4.2V, which is harmful.

Most trendy LiPo chargers have stability charging as the one charging mode. When you have an affordable or outdated charger that permits charging with out the stability lead, discard it instantly and spend money on a correct charger. Charging with out the stability lead is unsafe!

Charging Velocity: How Quick Ought to You Cost?

Charging LiPo batteries at 1C or decrease is advisable, because it places the least pressure on the battery. This implies setting the cost present to 1 instances the battery’s capability. For instance, for a 1500mAh LiPo, charging at 1C means setting the cost present to 1.5A (1C x 1500mA), and for a 900mAh battery, that’s 0.9A, and so forth.

Enjoyable Reality: Charging at 1C will take roughly one hour to totally cost the battery from empty.

Many batteries now help quicker charging, corresponding to at 3C and even 5C. Make sure you perceive your LiPo’s specs earlier than charging at larger charges. If doubtful, simply cost at 1C, as charging your battery at larger C charges will increase the chance of LiPo overheating or inflicting a fireplace.

Select a Secure Charging Location

It’s essential to cost your batteries in an space freed from flammable objects and supplies. In case you are charging indoors, attempt to do it close to a window or door so to shortly throw the battery out in case of a hearth.

I personally retailer and cost my batteries in an ammo field (accessible on Amazon). Don’t rely solely on “LiPo Luggage”; they might decelerate a LiPo hearth, however they received’t utterly include it. All the time preserve a fireplace extinguisher close by when charging batteries.

By no means Depart Charging LiPo Batteries Unattended

Don’t go away the room whereas charging your batteries. Many LiPo-related fires happen as a result of individuals go away the charging course of unattended. It is best to at all times supervise LiPo batteries throughout charging. Frequently verify their temperature; they need to stay cool. If a battery turns into heat or begins to swell, cease charging and examine. It might be a defective LiPo that must be retired, an overcharging situation, or just charging too shortly.

Different Security Guidelines

Incorrect dealing with of LiPo batteries can probably trigger fires. Please familiarize your self with these security guidelines earlier than dealing with or charging batteries:

• Decide up LiPo batteries by the physique, not the wires, which could be pulled off from fragile solder joints.
• Permit batteries to chill down utterly after a flight earlier than charging them.
• By no means use or cost a broken or swollen battery.
• Confirm the variety of cells and battery kind are set accurately in your charger earlier than charging.
• Keep away from overcharging. Whereas sensible chargers can usually maintain this for you, it’s sensible to verify cell voltages recurrently.
• Hold batteries out of direct daylight.
• All the time take away the battery from the machine it’s powering and place it in a secure space earlier than charging.
• By no means quick the outputs of a battery at any time.

Parallel charging

Parallel charging will not be the most secure methodology for charging LiPo batteries, nevertheless it provides a fast option to cost a number of batteries concurrently. I’ve a complete tutorial that explains easy methods to safely carry out parallel charging: https://oscarliang.com/parallel-charging-multiple-lipo/

Charging 1S LiPo batteries

Charging small 1S batteries generally is a bit completely different than charging bigger packs. One choice is to cost a number of 1S batteries utilizing a parallel board, which primarily combines them as one massive 1S battery. Nevertheless, the simplest methodology for charging 1S batteries is to make use of a devoted 1S battery charger or serial cost board. Take a look at my suggestions for 1S battery chargers right here: https://oscarliang.com/best-tiny-whoop/#Finest-Tiny-Whoop-Chargers

Methods to Use LiPo Batteries Safely

How lengthy you may go away LiPo batteries totally charged?

It’s okay to cost your batteries the day earlier than your flights. Nevertheless, personally, if I don’t fly the following couple of days, I at all times return my batteries to storage voltage (e.g. 3.8V per cell).

Keep away from leaving them totally charged or empty for prolonged durations. Batteries not at their storage voltage will degrade quicker over time. Usually, most individuals discover it acceptable to go away batteries totally charged or discharged for a number of days. Nevertheless, in case you don’t plan to fly for greater than a few weeks, it’s finest to place your batteries at storage cost. Most trendy chargers can do that simply, however discharging could be gradual. You may need to contemplate getting a devoted discharger in case you do that ceaselessly: https://oscarliang.com/discharge-lipo-batteries/

Working Temperature

FPV drone LiPo batteries carry out optimally between 30°C and 60°C. Chilly climate negatively impacts LiPo battery efficiency, leading to worse voltage sag and decreased flight time. Hold your batteries heat earlier than a flight (e.g., by inserting them in your pocket). Listed below are some further recommendations on easy methods to fly FPV in chilly climate: https://oscarliang.com/fly-fpv-winter/

LiPo batteries additionally endure in extreme warmth, as they’ll swell and even catch hearth. Be sure to not go away them below direct daylight in the summertime!

When to Land

It is best to land your drone when your battery voltage reaches 3.5V to three.6V.

Though you may proceed flying with decrease voltages, doing so places further pressure on the battery and will shorten its lifespan. All cells in a battery are completely different, and through a burst of throttle, the battery will sag with some cells sagging greater than others. This can lead to cells going beneath the secure restrict and inflicting harm. Touchdown at round 3.5V reduces the chance of this occurring.

One more reason to land early is that voltage drops considerably quicker beneath 3.5V. Persevering with to fly might end in over-discharging your battery earlier than you may land safely. Over-discharging could cause everlasting harm and shorten battery life.

Methods to Retailer LiPo Batteries

As talked about earlier, in case you don’t plan to make use of a LiPo battery for an prolonged interval (longer than a number of weeks, for instance), you need to:

1. Storage cost it to three.8-3.85V
2. Retailer it in a fireproof place (in LiPo luggage, ammo field, and so on.)
3. Retailer it at room temperature – excessively chilly or sizzling situations can impression battery lifespan and security

When a LiPo cell is round 3.8V-3.85V, it has roughly 40% to 50% cost remaining. That is essentially the most secure state for a LiPo battery, which is why new batteries from retailers usually arrive half charged.

LiPo Secure Luggage

LiPo luggage are made of material, typically with a metallic compound woven into them, and customarily have both a zipper or Velcro fastener. They supply light-weight, cheap storage for battery transportation. Whereas LiPo luggage might decelerate a battery hearth, they don’t seem to be efficient at stopping or containing one. For long-term storage, a metallic ammo field is advisable. Nevertheless, LiPo luggage are comparatively inexpensive and nonetheless higher than nothing.

Get your LiPo luggage from:

Ammo Field

Earlier than utilizing an ammo field to retailer your LiPo batteries, take away the rubber seal on the lid (simply pry it off with a screwdriver). If potential, drill a few small holes to permit air to flee within the occasion of a hearth (or make sure the field just isn’t tightly shut) to stop stress buildup inside an hermetic metallic container.

Get your Ammo Field from:

Bat-Secure LiPo Field

The Bat-Secure field safely accommodates battery fires, vents sizzling gases, filters flame and soot, whereas making certain simple battery charging and transportation. It’s just like the upgraded model of the Ammo field. See my full overview right here: https://oscarliang.com/bat-safe-lipo-battery-charging-box/

You will discover the Bat-Secure Field right here:

What to do with over-discharged LiPo

Fully discharging a LiPo battery can lead to oxidation of the cells over time, inflicting a everlasting discount in efficiency. Nevertheless, if detected shortly sufficient, you may often save the battery with out important harm to its efficiency.

Chargers might not acknowledge an over-discharged battery on account of low cell voltage. In such circumstances, it’s advisable to discard the battery. There are methods to rescue an over-discharged LiPo, however proceed at your individual threat.

Touring with LiPo Batteries

Many airways and airports enable LiPo batteries in passengers’ carry-on baggage. Hold the next factors in thoughts:

1. All the time verify along with your airline about touring with LiPo batteries
2. Don’t carry LiPo batteries in your checked baggage
3. Place your batteries in storage cost
4. Tape or cowl the connectors and retailer them in a LiPo secure bag
5. By no means journey with broken batteries

For extra info, see my information on “Methods to journey with mini quad and LiPo batteries”: https://oscarliang.com/travel-fpv-drone-lipo-plane/

What to Do if a LiPo Battery Catches Fireplace

1. Don’t panic; if potential, unplug all connections first
2. Use a fireplace extinguisher
3. If that’s not an choice, sand can successfully put out a LiPo hearth; cowl the burning LiPo with sand
4. Keep away from inhaling smoke and look forward to the fireplace to exit and the battery to chill
5. Do NOT use water

LiPo Disposal

When to Retire a LiPo Battery

LiPo batteries have a restricted cycle life, with every cost and discharge counting as one cycle. A well-maintained LiPo battery for RC fashions might probably final over 300 cycles. Nevertheless, for a lot of customers, damaging the battery bodily earlier than reaching that time is a standard incidence.

There isn’t a selected rule for when to eliminate a battery, however LiPo batteries can lose their “punch” and capability as inner resistance builds up over time. Inside resistance is an effective indication of battery well being. It is best to positively eliminate a battery if it turns into dented from a crash or if it’s swollen like a balloon.

Study extra about when to retire or eliminate a LiPo battery on this article: https://oscarliang.com/when-retire-lipo-battery/

Methods to Eliminate LiPo Batteries

Previous and broken LiPo batteries must be disposed of correctly. Study in regards to the other ways of disposing LiPo batteries on this article: https://oscarliang.com/dispose-lipo-battery-safely/. By no means to puncture LiPo batteries, as doing so could cause a fireplace.

FAQ

Listed below are some frequent questions from hobbyists.

Q: Are swollen (puffed) LiPo batteries harmful? A: Sure, swollen LiPo batteries should not secure to make use of or retailer.

Q: What causes LiPo batteries to grow to be swollen? A: LiPo batteries swell when gasoline will get trapped contained in the cells. This could happen naturally, however bodily abuse (corresponding to harm, overheating, or over-discharging) could cause the battery to generate extra gasoline.

Q: Can I repair a puffed LiPo battery? A: No, you may’t. As soon as a LiPo battery turns into swollen, it’s irreversible. Eliminate it correctly as quickly as potential.

Q: How can I keep away from swollen batteries? A: To keep away from swollen batteries:

• Don’t over-discharge – use a voltage alarm or monitoring system
• Don’t overheat – keep away from leaving batteries below the solar or near warmth sources, and don’t overload the battery
• By no means overcharge – arrange your charger correctly and monitor it whereas charging
• Retailer your LiPo batteries correctly, as talked about earlier on this article

Q: Do new batteries must be damaged in? A: Break-in procedures for brand new batteries are a controversial matter within the FPV group. Some imagine that new batteries ought to undergo a collection of gradual cost and discharge cycles earlier than being totally utilized. Others, like myself, have tried this methodology and located no noticeable distinction. For extra dialogue on the subject, see this discussion board thread.

Technical Phrases

• Minimize-off voltage – the voltage at which a battery is taken into account discharged utterly; For LiPo it’s 3.0V
• Cycle life – 1 cycle is whenever you cost and discharge a battery. The cycle life is the full variety of cycles the battery will final
• State of cost – the vitality degree of a battery from 0% to 100%.
• Burst C-Ranking – the utmost discharge price over a brief time frame (usually inside 10 seconds)

Conclusion

Congratulations, you made it!

Hopefully, you’ve realized one thing about LiPo batteries and easy methods to use them safely. Nevertheless, this information doesn’t cowl every part it’s essential to know. Should you’re unsure about something, proceed researching to make sure you’re dealing with your LiPo batteries as safely as potential. Joyful flying.

Edit Historical past

• 2017 – Article created.
• 2018 – Added product suggestions.
• 2019 – Up to date Clarification of Cell Rely and IR, added information on “easy methods to cost”.
• 2023 – Up to date information.
• Might 2024 – Up to date information and product suggestions.