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LiPo batteries are an unbelievable energy supply for FPV drones, offering a considerable quantity of vitality storage and supply capabilities. Nonetheless, if not dealt with appropriately, they’ll pose security dangers. This information will cowl the fundamentals of LiPo batteries for FPV drones, together with protected charging practices and correct storage methods when not in use.
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Disclaimer: The knowledge on this web page is meant as basic recommendation. Making certain battery security is your duty, and it is best 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 would like a lighter, extra agile drone; select the bigger packs when you prioritize flight time over dealing with. Word {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 most typical LiPo batteries used on 5″ FPV drones for freestyle and racing are 4S and 6S voltage. To know the variations between 4S and 6S, go to: https://oscarliang.com/6s-mini-quad-racing-drone/. If you’re on the fence, I like to recommend going with 6S, it’s just about the business commonplace in 2025. Typical battery capability for 4S 5inch is round 1500mAh, and for 6S that’s between 1000mah and 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/.
Dogcom 4S 850mAh / 6S 650mAh:
Tattu R-Line 4S 850mAh / 6S 550mAh:
Are LiPo Batteries Protected?
When dealt with appropriately, LiPo batteries are completely protected. Nonetheless, LiPo batteries could catch fireplace as a consequence of improper dealing with or bodily injury. Making certain security entails cautious remedy and vigilance in dealing with your batteries. Retailer and cost them in a fireproof place to attenuate threat.
Understanding LiPo Battery Fundamentals
Lithium polymer batteries, or LiPo batteries, boast an distinctive power-to-weight ratio, making them a perfect selection for FPV drones.
To pick out the suitable LiPo battery, it’s essential to learn to interpret its specs and develop into acquainted with important terminology, which will likely 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 hearth. Discharging under 3V could end in irreversible efficiency degradation or battery injury. This minimal voltage can also be known as the cut-off voltage. It’s usually beneficial to cease discharging when the battery reaches 3.5V per cell to increase its lifespan.
Cell Depend
LiPo batteries could have a number of cells. The ‘S’ ranking 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 pace, so utilizing a better cell-count battery can improve your drone’s energy (assuming the drone helps the upper voltage). Nonetheless, including extra cells additionally makes the battery heavier and costlier.
Within the pastime, we usually confer 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 information:
- Connecting two an identical batteries in collection doubles the voltage however doesn’t change capability (e.g., two 2S 1000mAh batteries in collection develop into 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 pair 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’ll be able to draw from the battery repeatedly for an hour till it’s empty. Word that 1000mAh equals 1Ah.
For instance, with a 1300mAh LiPo (or 1.3Ah), it might take an hour to be fully discharged when you draw a relentless 1.3A present from it. If the present draw doubles to 2.6A, the length could be halved (1.3/2.6=0.5). For those who draw 39A of present continuous, the pack would final solely 2 minutes (1.3/39=1/30 of an hour).
Growing your battery capability would possibly supply 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 steadiness between capability and weight for optimum effectivity.
Increased capability batteries may additionally present increased discharge currents, as defined within the subsequent part.
C Score
C Score is an indicator of the utmost present you’ll be able to safely draw from a LiPo battery with out inflicting injury. In principle, this may be calculated by:
Most Present Draw = Capability x C-Score
Drawing extra present than specified by the C-rating just isn’t beneficial, because the battery can overheat, improve inside resistance over time, shorten battery lifespan, and even trigger thermal runaway (catching fireplace) in excessive circumstances.
Batteries with increased C-ratings are typically heavier and bigger even on the identical capability. For instance, these two 4S 650mAh batteries proven within the picture have totally different weight and sizes as a consequence of differing C-ratings.
Though C-rating might be a great tool, it has develop into largely a advertising instrument in recent times, so take it with a grain of salt. Manufacturers would possibly inflate C-rating numbers, making it meaningless for comparability between manufacturers. Nonetheless, it might probably nonetheless be useful for selecting a battery from the identical model, assuming they observe the identical commonplace. So long as you choose batteries from our suggestions, C-rating shouldn’t be a significant concern.
Inner Resistance
All electrical parts have resistance, together with batteries. The resistance inside a battery is known as inside resistance (IR), which signifies how a lot the battery resists present move. Inner 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 unhealthy practices can speed up battery getting older:
- Over-discharging and over-charging
- Pushing the battery too exhausting by discharging at a better present than it’s rated for, for an prolonged interval
- Overheating
The most important issue affecting a battery’s most discharge charge is its inside 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 functions (e.g., 8C or 10C ranking for powering a radio), which inherently have increased IR. 18650 Li-ion batteries even have increased IR than typical LiPo batteries, which is regular.
For extra data on when to retire a battery and how one can measure inside 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 steadiness connector (steadiness lead). Nonetheless, 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 steadiness lead. The variety of wires depends upon the battery’s cell rely.
The most typical 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 usually used. They’ve comparable shapes however differ in sizes and present rankings.
Different battery connectors generally utilized in FPV drones and gear embrace:
For extra data on electrical wires and connectors, confer with our in-depth article on the subject: https://oscarliang.com/wires-connectors/
Steadiness Connector
LiPo batteries with multiple cell will at all times have a steadiness lead, which is for monitoring and balancing cell voltages. The official identify of the steadiness connector is JST-XH.
You have to to attach the steadiness result in the charger when charging. This enables the charger to verify and steadiness the voltage of every cell throughout charging. Importantly, at all times plug within the steadiness lead earlier than charging!
The variety of wires in a steadiness 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 steadiness result in be broken by spinning propellers throughout flight. To learn to restore a damaged steadiness lead, confer with our detailed tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/fix-balance-plug-lipo-replace/
If the steadiness lead is lengthy, think about using a rubber band to strap it down, it might probably additionally reduces the vibrations brought on by the dangling cable.
Conserving Battery Balanced
It’s necessary to verify the cells in a battery are inside comparable vary earlier than utilizing it, in any other case you’ll be able to threat over-discharging the cells with decrease voltage. Additionally if a battery pack constantly develop into unbalanced, the cells most likely have totally different inside resistance and needs to be inspected extra carefully.
Simply plug within the steadiness 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 completely charged voltage of 4.2 V and storage cost voltage of round 3.85V.
LiHV
LiHV is a particular sort of LiPo battery, with HV standing for “excessive voltage.” They’re extra energy-dense than conventional LiPo batteries and will be charged as much as 4.35V per cell (versus the usual 4.20V). Nonetheless, there are combined critiques concerning the longevity of LiHV batteries, as they could expertise a lower in efficiency prior to common LiPos. In our put up, we in contrast a LiHV battery with a LiPo when it comes to efficiency. Regardless of these issues, LiHV batteries have develop into a preferred selection for 1S Tiny Whoops as a result of the impression of the upper voltage is critical.
Li-Ion
Li-Ion stands for Lithium ion, usually have a a lot increased capability in comparison with LiPo of the identical weight. Due to its increased capability per weight, Li-Ion batteries are nice for lengthy vary flying. Nonetheless 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
For those who observe my LiPo battery suggestions, you’ll be able to keep away from worrying about calculations I’m going to point out you under. Additionally ensure that to keep away from “no-name” batteries, and keep on with respected manufacturers comparable to:
- GNB (Gaoneng)
- CNHL (China Interest Line)
- Lumenier (GetFPV)
- RDQ
- Tattu R-Line
- Dogcom
Right here’s I’ll present you the way to decide on a perfect battery in your drone.
How Many Packs Ought to Rookies Purchase?
You possibly can actually purchase as many battery packs as you need, however I believe 4 packs is an efficient quantity if you’re simply beginning to fly FPV. Assuming every flight lasts round 5 to 10 minutes (making an allowance for the time you stroll to choose up your crashed quad, preflight preparation, and brief breaks between flights), you’ll have as much as 40 minutes of flying time with simply 4 packs. If in case you have a approach to cost your batteries within the subject, you’ll be able to prolong your flying time considerably. Study extra about subject 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). For those who observe my battery suggestions, the efficiency needs to be adequate, and also you received’t want to contemplate the rest. 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 will be as heavy because the drone itself or extra.
In case your drone has a special dimension or weight class, you’ll be able to observe the extra guidelines under.
Figuring out Drone Present Draw
After deciding on motor and propeller sizes, it is best 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 overall 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 protected, you should utilize this quantity to discover a battery with a excessive sufficient C-rating. Nonetheless, I normally scale back it by 30-40% for 2 causes: firstly, we hardly ever fly at 100% throttle for quite a lot of 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 as a consequence of shifting air.
Though different parts additionally draw present, their impression is insignificant in comparison with the motors, so you’ll be able to normally disregard them.
Selecting optimum battery capability
I’ve a desk right here that can assist you resolve what battery dimension you want for explicit setup: https://oscarliang.com/table-prop-motor-lipo-weight/
Now you should work out the acceptable battery capability, which depends upon the scale of your quadcopter, and C ranking required. Right here is the final guideline I personally observe 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 ranking requirement utilizing this method:
C Score = Present Draw / Capability
How one can Cost LiPo
Deciding on A LiPo Charger
To cost LiPo batteries, you’ll want a charger particularly designed for them as a consequence of their strict charging necessities. You possibly can learn to select a high-quality LiPo charger on this purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/
The next data applies when you select a charger from my suggestions.
Connecting a LiPo to a Charger
Charging LiPo batteries with most fashionable chargers is sort of easy. Sometimes, you simply must plug within the XT60 and steadiness connectors, set the cost mode and cost present, and also you’re good to go.
Charger Modes
- Steadiness Cost: Whereas charging the battery, the charger screens the voltage of every cell and retains them balanced. That is the most secure and most beneficial methodology of charging your LiPo battery.
- Storage Cost: The charger brings every cell to storage voltage (which is round 3.80V to three.85V).
- Discharge: The charger makes an attempt to empty the LiPo battery (this course of will be extraordinarily gradual, relying on the discharging energy of the charger).
The Significance of Steadiness Charging
At all times plug within the steadiness lead earlier than charging, this enables the charger to learn the voltage of every cell.
The cells in a battery are slight totally different in inside resistance, and after a flight, you would possibly discover some cells have increased voltage than others. Charging a battery with imbalanced cell voltages with out utilizing the steadiness lead may result in some cells ending up under 4.2V and others exceeding 4.2V, which is harmful.
Most fashionable LiPo chargers have steadiness charging as the one charging mode. If in case you have an inexpensive or previous charger that permits charging with out the steadiness lead, discard it instantly and spend money on a correct charger. Charging with out the steadiness lead is unsafe!
Charging Velocity: How Quick Ought to You Cost?
Charging LiPo batteries at 1C or decrease is beneficial, because it places the least pressure on the battery. This implies setting the cost present to 1 occasions 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 completely cost the battery from empty, regardless the scale of the pack.
Many batteries now assist sooner charging, comparable to at 3C and even 5C. Make sure you perceive your LiPo’s specs earlier than charging at increased charges. If unsure, simply cost at 1C, as charging your battery at increased C charges will increase the danger of LiPo overheating or inflicting a hearth.
Select a Protected Charging Location
It’s essential to cost your batteries in an space freed from flammable gadgets and supplies. If you’re charging indoors, attempt to do it close to a window or door with the intention to rapidly throw the battery out in case of a fireplace.
I personally retailer and cost my batteries in an ammo field (accessible on Amazon). Don’t rely solely on “LiPo Baggage”; they might decelerate a LiPo fireplace, however they received’t fully include it. At all times preserve a hearth extinguisher close by when charging batteries.
By no means Depart Charging LiPo Batteries Unattended
Don’t depart the room whereas charging your batteries. Many LiPo-related fires happen as a result of individuals depart the charging course of unattended. You must at all times supervise LiPo batteries throughout charging. Usually 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 concern, or just charging too rapidly.
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 will be pulled off from fragile solder joints.
- Permit batteries to chill down fully 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 sort are set appropriately in your charger earlier than charging.
- Keep away from overcharging. Whereas good chargers can usually deal with this for you, it’s sensible to verify cell voltages often.
- Maintain batteries out of direct daylight.
- At all times take away the battery from the gadget it’s powering and place it in a protected space earlier than charging.
- By no means brief the outputs of a battery at any time.
Parallel charging
Parallel charging might not be the most secure methodology for charging LiPo batteries, however it affords a fast approach to cost a number of batteries concurrently. I’ve a complete tutorial that explains how one can safely carry out parallel charging: https://oscarliang.com/parallel-charging-multiple-lipo/
Charging 1S LiPo batteries
Charging small 1S batteries could be a bit totally 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. Nonetheless, the best 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
How one can Use LiPo Batteries Safely
Storage Cost
For those who don’t plan to make use of a LiPo battery for an prolonged interval (as an illustration, longer than 2 weeks), it is best to:
- Storage cost it to three.80V to three.85V per cell
- Retailer the battery in a fireproof place (in LiPo luggage, ammo metallic containers, and many others.)
- Retailer it at room temperature – excessively chilly or sizzling situations can impression battery lifespan and security
When a LiPo cell is round 3.80-3.85V, it has roughly 40% to 50% cost remaining. That is probably the most steady state for a LiPo battery, your battery will last more and it’s safer. That’s additionally why model new batteries usually arrive at this voltage.
Most fashionable LiPo chargers have “Storage Cost” operate, which can put your battery within the appropriate storage voltage for you.
How lengthy you’ll be able to depart LiPo batteries absolutely charged?
It’s alright to cost your batteries the day earlier than your flights. Nonetheless, personally, if I don’t fly the subsequent couple of days, I at all times return my batteries to storage voltage (e.g. 3.8V per cell).
Keep away from leaving them absolutely charged or empty for prolonged durations. Batteries not at their storage voltage will degrade sooner over time. Usually, most individuals discover it acceptable to go away batteries absolutely charged or discharged for just a few days. Nonetheless, when you don’t plan to fly for greater than a few weeks, it’s greatest to place your batteries at storage cost. Most fashionable chargers can do that simply, however discharging will be gradual. You would possibly wish to contemplate getting a devoted discharger when you do that often: 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. Maintain your batteries heat earlier than a flight (e.g., by inserting them in your pocket). Listed below are some further recommendations on how one can 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 fireplace. Be sure to not depart them below direct daylight in the summertime!
When to Land
You must land your drone when your battery voltage reaches 3.5V to three.6V.
Though you’ll be able to proceed flying with decrease voltages, doing so places additional pressure on the battery and will shorten its lifespan. All cells in a battery are totally different, and through a burst of throttle, the battery will sag with some cells sagging greater than others. This may end up in cells going under the protected restrict and inflicting injury. Touchdown at round 3.5V reduces the danger of this occurring.
One more reason to land early is that voltage drops considerably sooner under 3.5V. Persevering with to fly may end in over-discharging your battery earlier than you’ll be able to land safely. Over-discharging may cause everlasting injury and shorten battery life.
With that stated, for tiny whoop 1S batteries, it’s fairly frequent to land at a lot decrease voltage, e.g. 3.2V and even 3.0V. that’s as a result of the voltage sag is so nice on these small batteries, they’ll finally get well above the protected voltage when landed. Additionally this lets you get probably the most flight outing of them. Moreover, 1S batteries are comparatively low-cost so individuals don’t thoughts abusing them.
LiPo Protected Baggage
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 could decelerate a battery fireplace, they don’t seem to be efficient at stopping or containing one. For long-term storage, a metallic ammo field is beneficial. Nonetheless, LiPo luggage are comparatively reasonably priced 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 fireplace (or make sure the field just isn’t tightly shut) to forestall stress buildup inside an hermetic metallic container.
Get your Ammo Field from:
Bat-Protected LiPo Field
The Bat-Protected field safely accommodates battery fires, vents sizzling gases, filters flame and soot, whereas guaranteeing straightforward 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’ll find the Bat-Protected Field right here:
What to do with over-discharged LiPo
Fully discharging a LiPo battery may end up in oxidation of the cells over time, inflicting a everlasting discount in efficiency. Nonetheless, if detected rapidly sufficient, you’ll be able to normally save the battery with out important injury to its efficiency.
Chargers could not acknowledge an over-discharged battery as a consequence 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 permit LiPo batteries in passengers’ carry-on baggage. Maintain the next factors in thoughts:
- At all times verify together with your airline about touring with LiPo batteries
- Don’t carry LiPo batteries in your checked baggage
- Place your batteries in storage cost
- Tape or cowl the connectors and retailer them in a LiPo protected bag
- By no means journey with broken batteries
For extra data, see my information on “How one can journey with mini quad and LiPo batteries”: https://oscarliang.com/travel-fpv-drone-lipo-plane/
What to Do if a LiPo Battery Catches Fireplace
- Don’t panic; if potential, unplug all connections first
- Use a hearth extinguisher
- If that’s not an choice, sand can successfully put out a LiPo fireplace; cowl the burning LiPo with sand
- Keep away from inhaling smoke and anticipate the fireplace to exit and the battery to chill
- Do NOT use water
What’s the Lifespan of a LiPo Battery?
For an in depth rationalization, try this put up: https://oscarliang.com/when-retire-lipo-battery/
Abstract:
- Gradual Efficiency Degradation: LiPo battery efficiency step by step degrades over time and utilization. It has no expiry date.
- Efficiency Loss: Primarily based on my testing, you’ll be able to count on a lack of about 3.8% in efficiency over the primary 100 cost cycles for normal LiPo batteries (5.4% for LiHV batteries).
- Alternative Timeline: Personally, I exchange my LiPo batteries each 200 to 300 cost cycles or each two to a few years, whichever comes first.
- Prolonged Use: You possibly can proceed utilizing a LiPo battery so long as it’s protected to take action. Nonetheless, it can expertise extra voltage sag as a consequence of increased inside resistance, and its capability will likely be decrease, leading to decreased flight time.
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 may probably final over 300 cycles. Nonetheless, for a lot of customers, damaging the battery bodily earlier than reaching that time is a typical prevalence.
There isn’t a selected rule for when to get rid of a battery, however LiPo batteries can lose their “punch” and capability as inside resistance builds up over time. Inner resistance is an efficient indication of battery well being. You must undoubtedly get rid of 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 get rid of a LiPo battery on this article: https://oscarliang.com/when-retire-lipo-battery/
How one can Get rid of LiPo Batteries
Previous and broken LiPo batteries needs to be disposed of correctly. Study in regards to the alternative 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 may cause a hearth.
FAQ
Listed below are some frequent questions from hobbyists.
Q: Are swollen (puffed) LiPo batteries harmful? A: Sure, swollen LiPo batteries will not be protected to make use of or retailer.
Q: What causes LiPo batteries to develop into swollen? A: LiPo batteries swell when fuel will get trapped contained in the cells. This may happen naturally, however bodily abuse (comparable to injury, overheating, or over-discharging) may cause the battery to generate extra fuel.
Q: Can I repair a puffed LiPo battery? A: No, you’ll be able to’t. As soon as a LiPo battery turns into swollen, it’s irreversible. Get rid of 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 have to be damaged in? A: Break-in procedures for brand new batteries are a controversial subject within the FPV neighborhood. Some imagine that new batteries ought to undergo a collection of gradual cost and discharge cycles earlier than being absolutely 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 fully; For LiPo it’s 3.0V
- Cycle life – 1 cycle is while you cost and discharge a battery. The cycle life is the whole variety of cycles the battery will final
- State of cost – the vitality stage of a battery from 0% to 100%.
- Burst C-Score – the utmost discharge charge over a brief time frame (usually inside 10 seconds)
Conclusion
Congratulations, you made it!
Hopefully, you’ve discovered one thing about LiPo batteries and how one can use them safely. Nonetheless, this information doesn’t cowl every little thing you should know. For those who’re unsure about something, proceed researching to make sure you’re dealing with your LiPo batteries as safely as potential. Pleased flying.
Edit Historical past
- 2017 – Article created.
- 2018 – Added product suggestions.
- 2019 – Up to date Rationalization of Cell Depend and IR, added data on “how one can cost”.
- 2023 – Up to date information.
- Might 2024 – Up to date information and product suggestions.
