One aspect of the RC hobby that may be somewhat costly is LiPo batteries. Mainly, if every RC car you choose to operate uses a different pack, generally speaking, a LiPo battery pack should last between two and three years.
For some RC applications, the LiPo battery lifespan may very likely be outside of this range. For example, RC boats and EDF jets may not last as long because they require a lot of power from the pack. Conversely, scale RC boats and trainer-style RC aeroplanes require much less power. These packs have a long shelf life. We must extend the battery’s life for these reasons in particular so that we won’t have to buy new batteries every year or two. That might cost a lot of money! It’s easy to increase the lifespan of your LiPo battery pack if you adhere to these five tips:
1. Maximum Discharge Rate
LiPo battery packs are rated, which makes it possible to determine the maximum continuous discharge current of the pack. One of the most crucial battery pack characteristics to take into account for your application is this one. The C rating is the specification to which we are referring. This page goes into further detail on battery packs’ C ratings.
Making sure you have plenty of headroom in the C rating of your pack is crucial for extending the life of your battery. It is advised that you only use 50% of the maximum continuous power output that is specified in the battery specifications. Sure, go ahead and lower the percentage if you can! You can extend the life of the battery pack to a greater extent if its load factor is reduced.
2. Run Time
The maximum capacity that you should remove from your LiPo battery pack is referred to as maximum discharge. The 80/20 magic rule helps extend the life of a LiPo. This guideline states that the maximum amount that can be discharged shall not exceed 80%. This means that 20% of the pack’s capacity is left. By adhering to this guideline, you can extend the life of your battery pack.
Ensure you know the longest run time your RC can have without depleting more than 80% of its capacity. When a battery pack is not more than 80% discharged, its resting voltage is roughly 3.7 volts.
3. Storage
When a LiPo and RC battery pack is stored, it is kept inactive for more than ten days. Putting the battery pack in storage mode is strongly advised if you don’t use it within the next ten days. What does this signify? Alright, let’s examine it. It is vitally necessary to store the battery pack carefully to extend its lifespan.
Many of the chargers available on the market can assist with adequately storing a LiPo battery pack. You can accomplish this manually if your charger has a charging mode designed specifically for storing the pack. The battery pack’s voltage is a reliable guide for choosing the ideal storage standard. A LiPo battery pack should be stored between 3.80 and 3.85 volts. When the storage voltage is set correctly, the battery will have a 40–45% capacity.
One of the worst things you can do to your battery when it’s not in use is to leave it fully charged. However, leaving the battery almost wholly depleted is also not optimal. To extend your LiPo battery’s life, keep your battery pack at the specified storage voltage.
4. Temperature
This is a very simple aspect that affects LiPo’s lifespan. If your LiPo is overheating, it makes no difference if you are or are not using any of the advice above. LiPo battery packs are just like every other electronic component. The longevity of your LiPo is directly correlated with the amount of heat it produces during discharge. A colder pack will last longer than one that heats up all the Time.
A LiPo battery pack should not be heated above 60C or 140F. This is the highest possible amount. You may be positive that the lifespan of your LiPo is being shortened if it reaches this temperature on every run. Reduce the amount of heat your battery pack produces to extend its longevity. Reducing the battery pack’s load will help you achieve this. To decrease the load, use more LiPo and RC battery packs by connecting them in parallel. Alternatively, you might use smaller props or gearing to lessen the strain on your battery.
5. Charge Rate
Reduce the amount of heat your battery pack produces to extend its longevity. Reducing the battery pack’s load will help you achieve this. In order to decrease the load, use more LiPo battery packs by connecting them in parallel. Alternatively, you might use smaller props or gearing to lessen the strain on your battery.
Conclusion
These tips will help you get more mileage and longevity from your LiPo battery. If you maintain proper cleaning, charging, and storing practices, your remote control devices will function at their peak, have a lower chance of breaking, and have longer-lasting power.
