Lithium batteries are shaping the future of battery energy and technology. They have risen from strength to strength and have taken the market by storm with their power and capability. Manufacturers are trying to stay ahead by offering better solutions for battery power from time to time.
Because the world is so devoted to technology and development, you can find electronic devices almost everywhere. Today, everyone owns at least one smart phone or has access to one. Many people also have laptops. The battery in such a device you own may be a lithium battery.
The newest, and perhaps the most powerful of them all, are lithium polymer batteries. LiPo stands for lithium polymer, a type of rechargeable battery that has revolutionized the battery industry. Batteries have become a major component of power-hungry R/C. Modern RC airplanes, helicopters, and drones require a lot of power, and LiPos seems to be up to the challenge.
No matter how powerful they are, LiPos perform almost as well as any other battery on the market. They are not affected by degradation. This is why it is imperative that people understand life expectancy and what they can do to improve it. You are in the right place to get all this information.
To understand this part, let's first look at what all the numbers mean. These numbers are important to understand batteries. They are called ratings and tell us what the battery is and how powerful it is. Using these numbers, you can compare battery characteristics and determine the best battery to use when creating a battery pack.
The first number is the voltage or number of batteries. The nominal voltage of LiPos is 3.7V. If you create a battery pack with two LiPo cells inside, the total will be 7.4V. The nominal voltage is expressed as the default or quiescent voltage of the battery. Do not confuse this with a full charge, as LiPos can reach 4.2V when fully charged.
The next number is the capacity. Essentially, this rating is used to determine how much power the battery can hold. It can be compared to the size of a fuel tank. Capacity is measured in units called milliamp-hours (mAh). In other words, it indicates how much power can be consumed from the battery in one hour of discharge. Capacity determines how long a battery can be used before it must be recharged. For RC cars and trucks, the average voltage required is 5000 mAh. This can be found in LiPos.
Next, there is the discharge rating (C rating). Voltage and capacity are easier to understand because they directly affect the speed and run time of a device. However, this is not the case with C-rating. Batteries are discharged at a specific rate. The C rating represents the safest speed at which the battery can be discharged.
The last important factor is the internal resistance. This is a measure of how difficult it is for the battery to deliver power to the device. A high internal resistance means that the RC's motor is not getting enough power and may slow down. This number changes over time.
The numbers above determine the average life of a LiPo battery. They give LiPos a typical life expectancy of 150 to 250 cycles. This is because the batteries get hot during use and many people discharge their batteries at less than 3.0V per cell. Physical damage and water can also shorten life expectancy.
LiPo batteries require more special care than any other type of battery. Many people face significant challenges when maintaining lithium polymer batteries. But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here we have highlighted a few points that can help.
Most lithium polymer batteries fail and lose capacity quickly due to low charge rates. When charging, there is a system used called CC/CV charging. This is a constant current/voltage rating.
You need to pick the right charger for the job. A good charger should continue charging until the battery reaches its peak at 4.2V. At this stage, you should be able to reduce the current while maintaining the voltage.
This will help battery performance. A proper charger will also help achieve the proper balance of the battery. This acts as an equalizer for each cell voltage, especially in battery packs.
The other biggest threat to LiPo life is poor discharge. For example, LiPos have adequate radio control capability, but at a cost. With such power and capacity, LiPo batteries are most easily ignited. The chemistry of the battery is the real issue here, where heat has a major impact on the components.
This is also where selecting the proper charger becomes critical. Proper discharge must be ensured to be achieved. Do not charge lithium polymer batteries below 3.0V.
Gone are the days when you could run a battery until it ran out and then leave it on the shelf to wait for the next time you might need it. It is now recommended that batteries be placed in storage mode. Note that storing a fully charged lithium polymer battery will damage the battery. We recommend draining them by about 40% and storing them in a cool, dry place. And do not forget to recharge them from time to time.
Lithium polymer batteries are dangerous and should not be disposed of under any circumstances. Drain them first if possible. Place them in salt water and reconfirm that they are 0.0V. They can then be disposed of in the trash.
Yes, you can. Lithium polymer batteries are no different from other batteries. Consider the factors that affect battery performance. For example, we mentioned heat in the previous section, which is the worst enemy of lithium batteries. Ensure that the device is set to the proper temperature.
Beware of overcharging or underdischarging the battery. Essentially, this means you must use the proper charger. This will greatly extend the average life of the battery.
The tips shared above about proper care also apply here. These are all you need to keep your RC running longer.
Since you have it - you understand what you need to do to take care of your LiPo battery. Hope that helps you get better service.
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