Lipo Batteries Guide

Charging

1. Only use a Lipo charger. Do not use other types.
2. Typically charge at 3 amps. Follow the charging guideline that comes with your battery pack.
3. Do not connect the positive and negative together. This will short and permanently damage the battery.
4. Do not remove the battery from its case.

Using

1. Do not let the voltage drop below 6 volts.
2. Once you notice your car dropping in power, immediately stop using the battery.
3. Do not discharge the battery after use.

Storing

1. Store battery at 50% to 100% charge in a safe environment.
2. If not using for long period of time, maybe better to store at only 80% charge.
3. Store between temperatures of -20c and 35c.

Final tip is to read the instructions that come with your pack. Different packs have slightly different ways of charging rate and storing.

Faqs:

1. How many times can you use a Lipo battery in a day? I have used my Lipo pack as much as 5 times during a racing afternoon with no drop in power. Just let the battery cool down before recharging.
2. How many charge cycles can a Lipo have? I have read that some will last 1,000 charge cycles. I have packs that are 2 years old and are still going strong.
3. What are C ratings? In general, a higher C rating should mean more power. All things equal, a 5000mAh 40c pack should be better than a 5000mAh 30c pack.

Hope this helps.

Joel

Related Topics

Lipo battery – Review of the Orion 3600/28c versus the Hi Energy 5000/30c. I am surprised that I sometimes get faster race laptimes with the Orion. Maybe because it is lighter by 70 grams.

And great thing is Lipo battery chargers are very cheap. Personally I use the LRP pulsar 3 and an old Imax B5 charger. The LRP is more expensive as it has other features such as motor break in, discharger, etc. However when it comes to charging Lipo batteries, the B5 and LRP gives same result. Basically charge the Lipo to 8.4 volts.

What is important is to ensure the battery connector is very good (i.e. clean, strong contact). Lipo chargers are sensitive to the voltage reading in order to do a proper charge. I’ve experienced seeing my LRP suddenly spike to 8amp charging rate (even though it is set at 3amp). Later I discovered it was due to a dirty deans battery connector.

So be careful, keep your connectors clean and from time to time take a look at the charge rate to see if everything is running as expected.

Lipo’s will also expand and even burst into flames if overcharged. My tip is 1) use a good lipo charger, 2) use a good battery connector and 3) charge in a Lipo sack.

Hope this helps you out.

Joel