LIPO Batteries • Understanding the Basics

This video is targeted to those who are new to using LIPO batteries and need to gain a quick understanding of operating parameters including proper voltage levels for peak charge, storage, and cut-off. The video also explains the markings on LIPO batteries.

There are also a few nuggets for those experienced handling LIPO batteries that can help you extend the cycle life of your packs.

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[applefordguy]

Thank you so much for the info! I'm fairly new to the hobby, and get cross eyed looking at all the battery options out there. This helps tremendously!

[radukapu]

Absolutely spot on. I land my lipos around 3, 6 - 3, 7V and my even 7 years old batteries are still holding strong. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making easy to understand video for people who are just learning about lipos. 👍🏻

[UnapologeticTimberFanboy]

Spot on, spot on. I liked reading about lipos from the university, didn't realize there was a top tier video simplified! I greatly appreciate and value your knowledge. Sometimes reading is one thing, but I get a better understanding when I can physically see it. Again, thank you.

[Iamfirebird]

Great information even for veterans.
Ive been in and out of rc for awhile and tend to forget some of this. This was a great refresher.

[redfire]

I'm returning to the hobby after several years. This is the best, most concise explanation I have found. Been using the spektrum smart batteries and trusting the factory settings. This helps me understand what is really happening.

[itaysteklov]

great video I have the same charger as the one in the vid and it's a pretty good charger for the price, highly recommended. I think you should do a few tutorials from beginning to the end about making an fpv wing (including all RC link stuff)

[w.j.bendellr.c.flying.]

Great information, I have my power supplies for storage mode at 3.8 V thanks great video. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[longbowshooter]

Thanks for this. Just getting back into the hobby after 20 years off. Flew gliders off the cliffs in Palos Verdes. CA years (ages) ago, everything from floaters to jet style gliders, the only batteries I had to worry about was for the receiver and servos, and I could even just used ni-cad, or even alkaline, AA's, but just got a Valiant recently, got the batteries, the chargers, the checkers, etc., etc., but just not the knowledge of how/what/why to do with them.
Got a better understanding now. Thanks.

[canadiandronepilot]

Nice video reminder of how to safely store Lipo batteries - there a lot of misconceptions about lipo batteries - common sense and knowing the proper maintenance of these.

[christophknopf]

Thanks a lot! that were some detailed and well structured basics for a noob!

[guardianx]

Nice and concise video, thanks a lot. Btw your intro/outro is the same as Chef John's from Food Wishes haha.

[qv]

Thank you for such an awesome video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Transorbiter]

Thank you for the voltage explanations! One question. How do I know when the voltage drops to that minimum safe voltage, for instance, when I'm using my remote control car. It came with Ni-mH and I was just letting them run out until the car was dead.

[Rod.P.C]

Thanks for the lesson. Those $150 mini crawlers come with a small 2s lipo battery and a simple charger. Apparently, the charger should be connected to a USB adapter and plugged into the wall socket for charging. How to control the voltage? How to safely charge the battery?

[jamesceastep]

Hi!
I have been in a debate with another member of my club over the safety/advisability of storing either single cell (1s) or multicell batteries in groups held together by charging cables that maintain parallel connections between batteries.
I am rarely able to charge my batteries before I get home from a flying outing, but I conscientiously check and storage charge my batteries when I get home. During the period between use and checking/charging, I like to connect my used batteries to the unused or randomly available batteries of the same type.
This keeps batteries that get discharged below 3.7v per cell from staying that way for more than 10 minutes after being used.
I am aware that charging batteries that are of a different type (NM Hydride, Lipo=Lithium polymer, Li Ion, LiFePO4) or "C" rating can be dangerous, but I contend that storing my batteries of the same type in parallel groups gently recharges batteries in deep discharge by the other batteries in the group, and that this practice is safer than waiting till I get home to test and possibly dispose batteries in deep discharge (<3.3v).
I have never observed either my batteries or the parallel cable get warm from this practice.
Since you did not discuss this practice in your video (which was excellent), I thought your comments here might help to resolve our debate.
Thanks, Jim

[tylerdelong]

thanks for the video really helpfully bc i like my traxxas trucks but i wanna use other chargers so this is so helpfull bc traxxas make it super dumb down.

[davidknutz]

Thanks man!
You didn’t include a “recommended” recharge amperage. Some batteries actually have markings for MAX recharge rates.
I tend to stay with 1C to no more than 2C, when recharging.

[robertheim]

Very good overview and details for safety and cell life. The advice for maximum charge voltage vs cell cycle life is great. Now I want to learn more about the useful capacity with that tradeoff to decide how much field time is compromised. I suspect that much of the degradation of cell life with a full charge corresponds to the time period (and temp.) in that state. For example, if I conservatively charge to 4.2V and soon afterward apply the battery, what's the tradeoff vs a 4.1V peak charge?

[MKPilot]

As an electrical engineer, I agree with everything you said. Good presentation! What LiPo charger are you using?

[notGO]

everything in this video is great basic information, but I would add that measuring internal resistance is useless unless you are fully charged and the "acceptable" resistance depends on the mah of the pack. larger packs have lower resistance, smaller packs have higher.