What Does 3s Mean on Lipo Battery: Meaning and Cycle Life

There are many kinds of batteries in this world. Nickel-based, lithium-ion batteries, LiPo batteries - these are only a few of many batteries existing right now. It's never a bad idea to understand our batteries better, considering how it becomes a pivotal part of our life. In this article, we will talk about LiPo batteries and all about it, from the 3s on LiPo battery to the cycle life a LiPo battery has. Check it out!

What does 3s mean in a lipo battery?

If you look at LiPo batteries, sometimes you can see "2S" or "3S" written on them. In order to understand the meaning of those terms, we need to understand what a LiPo battery is.

LiPo battery, or lithium-ion polymer battery, didn't start as a LiPo battery. It is an evolution of lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries after thorough research by experts. The battery reached its peak from its discovery until the 2000s. Although it is not as well-known as it used to be, LiPo batteries are the primary source of energy for bulky devices such as RC planes and RC helicopters. 

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Of course, they are loved by heavy-duty devices, not without reason. They are smaller and lighter compared to li-ion and lithium-metal batteries. To make it even better, it is also more potent than its two predecessors. Here are some of the benefits of LiPo battery:

• No memory effect, so the battery will not lose a part of its capability,

• The output and voltage given by LiPo batteries are consistent.

• It is light and can be in any shape.

• It has way more power than its two relatives.

• The discharge rate if LiPo batteries made it possible to power up devices that need lots of power.

Of course, since LiPo battery is a device made by humans, it is bound to have some flaws. Here are some setbacks of LiPo batteries:

• The voltage drops faster compared to nickel-based batteries after it is fully discharged.

• It is more expensive than other batteries.

• LiPo batteries do not last as long as other batteries, possibly due to the amount of power it gives to the device.

Nevertheless, the flaws cannot beat the power it gives to heavy-duty devices. Without LiPo batteries, electric planes and helicopters will not thrive today.

Now that we know what a LiPo battery is, it's time to understand the basic terms written on it. First is the discharge rating. You can recognize the discharge rating by the letter "C" next to a number (usually 50).  The second term is its mAh, which is used for the battery's capacity.

The third and most important term is "S" and "V," which are used for its cell count and voltage. Typically, a LiPo battery has 3.7V for its energy. Only one cell is needed for such an amount of voltage. If it's doubled, it will become two cells, or 2S, while the voltage will be 7.4V. So, if a LiPo battery has 3S, it means that the voltage is tripled to 11.1V.

The terms above are essential, not without reason. The bigger the voltage is, the more significant potential the battery has to push more current. Higher current means that you will also get a more long-lasting battery, as this prevents many currents from working for the same work. LiPo batteries with higher voltage might be more pricey, but it's definitely worth all the voltage you will get from the battery. 

How long does a 3s lipo battery last?

The age of a 3s LiPo battery might vary, depending on its usage. 

Many factors should be considered when it comes to LiPo batteries' age. The first factor is the storage condition. As LiPo batteries need extra care, its owner must pay extra attention when storing it. There is also the matter of the battery's charging cycle. A LiPo battery will have at most 300 charge cycles. So, if you factor the storage and the charge cycle, a 3s LiPo battery will last for at least 2 to 3 years. 

The sign of a worn-down Lipo battery is puffiness. When the battery becomes puffy, it can catch fire easily, so it's best not to use it when the puffiness happens. 

How many amps should you charge a 3s lipo battery?

You can find out the amps for your LiPo battery's charge by looking at its charge rate and mAh. For example, your battery has a 3C charge rate. As for the mAh, it has 5000. One thousand mAh is equivalent to 1 Amp, so 5000 mAh is 5 Amps. 

You will only need to do a simple multiplication for the charging amp. All you need to do is to multiply the charge rate by the mAh, and then divide it by 1000 to convert it to Amps. So, if we use the example above, the amps for the charging will be 5 Amps. It's pretty easy.

It is vital to take on some precautions during charging. You don't want the worst-case scenario, which is exploding batteries and fire, to happen. First, you must never leave LiPo when it's charging. If something happens, you won't have enough time to prevent maximum damage. You should have a fire extinguisher around if your charging. Last but not least, it is better to charge the LiPo battery in an open area. If you're charging it in a room, make sure it's not close to flammable items. If you take all the preventative measures mentioned just now, you're good to go. 

Closing

Now that you know what a LiPO battery is, there's no need for you to be hesitant about it. Sure, LiPo batteries might be as long-lasting compared to nickel-based cells. However, it has such a tremendous amount of power, and it will not hurt your wallet. Yes, it might be pricey, but its price is worth the energy. So if you need LiPo batteries for your devices, don't be afraid to use it!