Is it safe to charge Li-Ion packs on a lipo setting?

Lithium Ion batteries are great for the long range and endurance flying of RC planes and drones but should you use the Li-Ion setting or the LiPo setting on your charger when charging them? In this video I explain the pros and cons of each option.

[TAGE_FPV]

how can this video be made at the PERFECT time for my new lion packs!

Thanks Bruce! you rock

[allennickles]

I can definitely validate this! I bought two Auline 4s Lion packs for my Dji goggles to run on. I been charging them on 1.5/2.amps Lipo settings at 4.2v and it has reduced there life significantly. Versus two other 4s Samsung 18650 packs i built at the same time I bought the Auline packs.I been charging the Samsung 4s packs on strictly on Lion 4.1v .And now the Samsung packs out performed the Auline packs. So it definitely reduces the packs life span.
Good video Bruce!

[fennz]

I've just started using Li-Ion packs and wondered about all of the conflicting information. Thanks a lot Bruce, for once again clarifying things

[MnPaul]

Pretty nifty pack you have built up there Bruce. It needs a "Xjet rules" label.

[ab_customz_llc]

Thanks for the info. It was good to see that I can charge my li-ion battery on my lipo charger that does not have provisions to charge li-ion packs.

[mickelson]

Thanks Bruce, that's quite clear and has explained why I have only got 87% out of my first Li Ion battery charge. Thanks mate. Mick UK

[andytaylor]

thanks again from canada i just got the zohd li ion pack and didnt know wat was goin on huge help thank u Bruce

[CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Very informative Bruce, when I saw the 'Ad in 5 secs' pop up I thought this isn't right then the Patreon Zapper appeared 👍Brilliant stuff, perhaps a zap sound effect would be good as well 😁

[steveblackbird]

Awesome info Bruce and LiPo/Lilo/LiFe safety should always be #1!!

People if you've ever seen a fully charged 6S 5500 Mah battery go up....It's

***EDIT*** Most of my Li-Ion packs are protected by a small circuit on the battery itself (So they are slightly longer) so it doesn't really include me as I have an extra level of protection built in with mine.

I've always used the appropriate settings as I didn't know, the chemistry had changed slightly with Lithium-Ion batteries (18650's etc)
Never really do long range stuff... too scared I'll lose a model lol.
I use them in near everything... torches/work lights.. cheap chinaquads (Great conversion!!!), battery banks.

I did learn something today though...lol. Check the batteries data sheet.!

Well if I'm not mistaken, most electric cars use these cells in massive banks to power them..
(As having one huge battery unit, under the occupants of said car would literally be a class action waiting to happen...)
Let's not forget the humble Laptop computer. Powering those, for what 25+ years?

Solid advice, as always mate and Thank you...

[barrelracer]

Extremely informative. Was just charging my my traxxas 3c lipo, and I noted that pack bloated a slight amount. I quickly disconnected it and made a salt water bath for it. It was a used battery given to me, so I don't know it's history. I went to the local hobby shop and even the attendant there said how much he hates lipo batteries. I agreed as I have a nimh pack I purchased in 2012 that I still can use today. I maintained it properly, and my cc02 with its sport tuned motor gives me about 1h45m dive time consistently.

I asked the dude if he sold li-on batteries. He said no, and didn't know if they made them for rc or not. I may go and look for some. My aged onyx 5000mah 7.2 nimh pack is showing its age slightly, and now I am down a traxxas pack. So I may be doing some battery hunting.

[xboxice]

Charge on lipo settings with those cell for years no issues, but I do agree with the information in this video 😊

[ficosk]

I have soldered my first 21700 - 6S pack thanks to your tips :D

[davincifpv]

Very very helpful.
Please keep on the good work!!
Cheers from Auckland and Kia Kaha

[bomberaustychunksbruv]

Very helpfull, just what I needed. I have a 5inch which is very light and built for economy and it can cruise level on 4.5amps, I just built a 4s LiIon pack from molicells 21700's cell rwated at 45a peak draw., that is only 100grams heavier than the 1600 mah LiPo I fly, but goes from 1100mah useable to 3000mah useable mah. can't wait to try it!.

[johnnymaynard]

You my friend are always informative and that's so much for your time spent putting these video's out . I've learned a lot of good things over the years watching your youtube . You are the best my friend !

[achintyapednekar]

Thanks man that was a great informational video. I am using a pro range 3s2p 5000mah 18650 battery pack for my underwater rov project and do not have a dedicated li ion charger, fortunately my college has a li po balance charger so i can temporarily make use of that and charge my battery at 3amps. Thanks a lot man!!

[olafschermann]

Charging to 4.1V extends longterm life significantly. Thinkpad notebooks have a software where you can limit the charge. I set it to 80% max. and after 8 years still had 2h runtime. Regular users have 50% runtime after 2 years.

[rctom]

Good explanation, for more punch I can recomment the Molicel INR21700-P-42A . Of course the weight is a bit higher but you can pull 45 A constant/peak 70A with 4000mah capacity. In the 18650 category the VTC6 with 30 A and 3000mah is best choice imo.

[LZRFPV]

Thanks for sharing! Was just about to charge my first Li-Ion and I saw the 4.1 end voltage and I had to do some research

[rszgeyb]

Regarding long range, rcg guy gtrick90, built a 4S2P (4s-7000) pack and put it in his wing wing z84 (840mm foam wing), he flew a ardupilot autonomous mission over the ocean, 50 miles out, and 50 miles back (100 miles total) in 4 hours, with a quad 1750kv motor, pretty impressive.