LiPo Battery Care Rules-Explanation, Safety, And Reconditioning

LiPo battery stands for Lithium Polymer batteries which are very commonly used in many different types of consumer electronics. They are becoming more and more popular with the increased use of LiPo batteries in the Radio Control Industry. As these batteries have long run time and high power, they are one of the most popular choices among the consumers.

So, here in this guide, we will go through the LiPo battery Care rules. From the explanation of the batteries to safety and reconditioning, we will cover everything about the Lithium Polymer batteries in detail.

Explanation Of LiPo Battery:

When you buy a LiPo battery, you must have seen some numbers and letters on the package. But do you understand what the numbers signify? Let’s break down the numbers so that the next time you buy a LiPo battery, you’ll know the specifications. For example, we will take a battery on which the following numbers are stated:

50C

5000mAh

3C Charge Rate

2S 7.4V

• Voltage/ Cell Count: The voltage given by V in the LiPo battery pack is the nominal voltage. It is the default resting voltage of the pack. The ideal voltage is 3.7 V. and if you see the number 7.4 V, it means that the voltage is doubled due to the number of cells. The number of cells is also provided on the package. The number 2 before the voltage gives the number of cells used in the pack and the alphabet S signifies the connection in series. So, the voltage specification becomes 2 cells in Series giving a total of 7.4 V nominal voltage.

• Capacity: The capacity of the battery pack tells us how much power the pack can hold. The unit is milliampere hours, i.e. mAh. So, when you see the unit behind the numbers, you can identify the capacity of the battery pack. Here, in the above specifications, 5000mAh is the capacity of the battery.

• Discharge Rating: The C Rating given to a battery is the measurement of the pace by which the battery can be discharged safely without causing any serious damage. The given number, 50C is the discharge rating which is calculated by a simple formula. The number 50 multiplied by the Capacity in Ampere will give the C rating.

• The Mystery Number- Internal Resistance: This is also one of the major factors that affect the working of a LiPo battery. Internal resistance is always present in a system and it changes over time. To measure the internal resistance, you will need a tool that is very expensive. So, unless you need to calculate the IR, you don’t need to buy the device to measure resistance.

3.2V 20A Low Temp LiFePO4 Battery Cell -40℃ 3C discharge capacity≥70% Charging temperature：-20~45℃ Discharging temperature: -40~+55℃ pass acupuncture test -40℃ maximum discharge rate：3C

READ MORE

Safety Rules Of LiPo Battery Care Rules:

Now, talking about the rules of safety for the LiPo Battery, we have to focus on lots of small things. Every day, we hear lots of rumors regarding LiPo batteries. As there is a lack of true information, we are providing you details about the things that you need to consider and steer away from.

Whether you are storing them in the wrong way or using the incorrect voltage cutoffs, take a look at these safety rules so that you can make the LiPo batteries safe for use:

• Store batteries in a container that is fireproof.

• Charge using an original charger and check the specifications of the charger as well.
  

• Always follow the charging and discharging instructions given by the manufacturer.
  

• Choose the size of the pack according to the intentional use.
  

• Never overcharge or over-discharge the LiPo batteries.
  

• Avoid using a fluffed battery pack or the ones that have visible damage like dents, cracks, etc.
  

• Avoid using the pack that was left unattended for a very long time.
  

• Try not to disassemble or reconfigure the damaged pack by yourself.
  

When you ignore the guidelines, it usually leads to one or another problem. So, before you do anything unusual with the batteries, go through the manual and ensure that your safety won’t be compromised.

Reconditioning Rules Of LiPo Battery Care:

People know how to use the batteries, but they never try to learn what to do when the battery needs reconditioning. The LiPo battery must never be discharged below 3 V/cell, otherwise, the battery pack will be damaged permanently. But this is a situation that happens more often than possible. Whether it is a droid or a remote control, mobile device or laptop, they can be discharged inappropriately which has a huge impact on the LiPo battery.

But just because the battery is temporarily damaged, that doesn’t mean that you throw it in the trash. The term reconditioning simply means that you will be able to restore the battery to a state where it can be used safely. For reconditioning, you will need to follow the steps below:

Low Temperature High Energy Density Rugged Laptop Polymer Battery Battery specification: 11.1V 7800mAh -40℃ 0.2C discharge capacity ≥80% Dustproof, resistance to dropping, anti - corrosion, anti - electromagnetic interference

READ MORE

• You will need a smart charger for the battery. So, get the LiPo charger that is capable of managing the multi-cell packs easily.

• Make sure that you don’t leave the battery unattended. Constantly monitor the battery and touch it to check if it is overheating.

• Begin the charging process and choose the lowest setting possible for the charger.

• Once the battery reaches the 3.0 to 3.7 V/cell, you can now increase the charge rate until the ideal nominal voltage of 3.7 V/cell is attained.

• After the battery is charged, unplug it from the charger.

Now, you can use the LiPo battery in the device safely. Though, it is advised that you regularly check the battery condition to ensure that it works properly. If the battery was discharged to an extent where the damage settled permanently, then it would become almost impossible to recharge it. Fortunately, for reconditioning of the LiPo battery, you can find a lot of options. So, don’t let your battery reach a point where it can no longer be used. And follow the safety guidelines carefully as it will increase the lifespan and protect you from the potential dangers of the battery as well.