When you talk about the use of RC LiPo batteries, it can be a very expensive decision to act incorrectly
The assumption of not carrying out balanced charging, completely discharging the battery, or not adjusting the low voltages correctly, can lead to permanent deterioration of the battery or even in a fire.
If you use RC LiPo batteries without taking into account these points, you expose yourself and others to a risk
Think about what damage these errors can do – permanently damaged batteries, or fire accidents caused by the wrong disposal of batteries.
These consequences are not just warnings, but a reality that must be faced.
However, don’t worry we have written for you a comprehensive guide on how to avoid these mistakes and adjust your battery usage processes accurately and safely, keeping your batteries in good condition for years to come
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1: Not Balance Charging the RC LiPo
For every RC LiPo battery, balancing the charge is crucial.
It is particularly crucial to ensure balanced charging of RC LiPo batteries that contain two or more cells.
Three volts is the maximum discharge that each cell should withstand before permanent deterioration sets in.
As a result, balance charging is essential to preserving the longevity and health of the battery
2: Draining the RC LiPo to Zero
A remote control LiPo battery that is completely depleted not only poses a risk to safety but also damages the battery.
Any discharge that exceeds the recommended maximum of 3 volts per cell will permanently harm the battery.
It is imperative to prevent the RC LiPo battery from being completely depleted.
3: Lowering the Voltage Cutoff Point Too Low
The low voltage cutoff (LVC) feature of contemporary ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) intended for RC LiPo use shuts off battery use when the voltage reaches a predetermined level.
Setting the LVC with adequate headroom is crucial to preventing the
keeping the battery cells below the crucial 3-volt threshold.
To protect the battery, a low voltage cutoff of 3.4 volts per cell is advised.
4: Using an RC LiPo that Isn’t Fully Charged
It’s crucial to keep an RC LiPo battery from sitting around for too long if you charge it with the goal of utilizing it but don’t wind up using it.
Cell deterioration in an RC LiPo battery that has been fully charged might cause puffing or swelling.
Reinstalling the battery on the RC LiPo balancing charger and setting it to a storage charge, which drains the excess power from the battery, is advised to avoid this.
5 : Not Storing or Charging the RC LiPo
An RC LiPo battery may still have too much or too little energy to be stored for later use even after it has been used in a model. It is essential to create the
a practice of storing something after using it. By rebalancing the cells and bringing the battery’s voltage down to a safe level, this guarantees that the battery is in good condition for storage.
6: Refusing to Use a New RC LiPo Battery Immediately
Before being sold, brand-new RC LiPo batteries are typically stored and charged by the makers.
However, the storage charge voltage of the battery may gradually decrease if it is left inactive for an extended period of time.
Before utilizing a new RC LiPo battery, it is advised to charge or balance charge it to lower its voltage down to a safe level and balance the cells.
You run the danger of using an RC LiPo battery after its guarantee has expired if you put off using a new one.
7: Refusing to Allow the RC LiPo to Cool
It is important to keep RC LiPo batteries dry and cool at all times.
It is crucial to allow an RC LiPo battery to cool down before recharging it after use.
A heated RC LiPo battery can be damaged by charging, and this can also be a sign of an insufficient C rating or overdischarge.
Making sure the low voltage cutoff has the headroom to keep the battery from being completely depleted is essential.
8 : Purchasing Recycled RC LiPo Batteries
Purchasing secondhand RC LiPo batteries is not advised unless you are positive about their background, unlike purchasing used cell phones where we don’t have to worry about the battery.
There is a chance that used RC LiPo batteries have been misused, charged wrongly, or stored inappropriately.
RC LiPo batteries equipped with microchips that offer historical data about the battery are among the exceptions.
9: Letting RC LiPo Batteries Sit Unused for Too Long
If RC LiPo batteries are going to be unused for months or years, it is important to rebalance the cells every six months and bring the voltage back to a healthy level.
Regularly checking the cells using a cell checker is also recommended.
RC LiPo batteries that sit around idle slowly drain energy and may reach unsafe voltages if not properly maintained.
10 : Throwing Away RC LiPo Batteries with Energy
RC LiPo batteries cannot be simply tossed in the trash as they pose a fire risk if they still contain energy.
Before discarding a RC LiPo battery, it must be completely drained of all its energy.
This prevents any potential accidents when the garbage is compacted in the truck or at the landfill.
Always ensure that the RC LiPo battery is drained before disposal.
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