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Please can I get some advice on LiPo batteries. I intend to buy a 3300-5000mAh battery to run an offshore power boat model. I will be taking the battery with me to Hungary to use on my local river which I have found is ok as hand luggage properly protected from short circuit. My problem is that at present, I only go there three time a year so the battery would remain unused for 4 months at a time. If I leave the battery with a safety charge, will it last for four months unused or will it fall below the critical voltage. If it is felt that it will not hold the charge, I will have to carry it with me forward and back. Thanks.😊
I use lipo batteries in my transmitter and last year I had to take time away from the hobby because of my health.
When I checked my transmitter the battery was still showing 10v on a 11.1v lipo this is a full year after last charge so you should be fine for 4 months as long as it's charged before it's left in storage.
Former tug nut now switched to sail because of health
I have found a similar situation with li po batteries. After standing for some time when I have connected them to the charger there are not as depleted as I thought.
I had an interesting find last year when I was in a second hand shop in North Wales. There was a large metal ammunition box that appeared to be of WW2" vintage and they only wanted a tenner so I bought it.
I keep my li po's in it with the higher capacity ones also in the box but in the fire resistant bag. The box of course has a lid that securely closes with two catches.
Good idea 👍 I have an ex RAF ammo box I've been using as a tool box for years (decades😲). The tools will now have to find somewhere else to sleep 😉
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
Not sure it's a good idea to leave your lipos for that length of time with a full charge, I personally, put my lipo batteries into "storage" mode otherwise you may find they expand if left fully charged for long periods. I may stand corrected. X mod rifle range warden, I to use old .762 ammo boxes to store my lipos👍
There is no dark side of the moon really Matter of fact......it's all dark.
Hi all, Lithium-Ion and Li-Po batteries do not take kindly to being stored long term fully charged. When they are new they will do it but after 2 to 3 years of intermittant use, can start to swell a bit and that is where the dangers start. When you give these cells the final run of the season and they show a charge in the the 3.3 to 3.5 (or so) volts per cell then they can be stored relatively safely. (This is called a holding or factory charge) Re start them with a balanced charge before you next use them. Do not constantly fast charge them as thi could induce swelling of the pack earlier.
The old Ammo box is a good idea, any strong metal box will do but store them where it does not get very hot or very cold and ideally not in the house.
Lipo cells are accepted as hand luggage by most airlines and a holding charge is recommended when flying, so remember to take a small 12v DC balance charger or 'Intelligent' charger with you to other countries, you will always be sure of a power supply, like a car battery even where the mains voltage is different.
Small black plug-in cell monitors are readily available from places like Component shop and are a good guide to cell condition. One is these is quite essential as we use these cells more and more.
Good morning all, Many thanks Ron for your information. Can I ask:- say you only using your batteries every four weeks or so, should we leave them with full charge or should we reduce voltage to holding charge for that four weeks?. I understand this could be a "how long is a piece of string" question. Norman.
There is no dark side of the moon really Matter of fact......it's all dark.
My charger has a storage setting which i always use after a sail as insisted by our local battery supplier guru. No problems at all with durability, full charging or high amp useage. Wrap 2 elastic bands around your stored lipos so you immediately know its status. The first elastic band is put on to a used battery immediately upon removal from model. Works for me now i am nearing 70 and my brain function 'aint what it used to be'
I have now left the batteries at a storage charge of 3.85 volts per cell. I will let you know where they stand when I return in August. The ammo boxes are a great idea. I bought two from ebay at £12 each. They are of super quality. I have transported one with the boat to my boating river in Hungary. The other is here. Thank for all the advice. It made things a lot easier than they could have been during my first uses of LiPo batteries. They are much easier to use now that I have some experience.😊
Hi Peter, check the capacity as well as the voltage. Around 20 to 40% is normal for storage and when they are delivered new. Cheers Doug 😎
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
Thanks Doug. I checked the percentage fill when I received them. They were 31% at 3.67 volts per cell. I am now at home so I cannot check them again until August.😱
Evenin' Peter, hope you noted the % capacity before you left, be good to compare with the value in August. One more tip; store batteries cool. It slows down the internal chemistry which reduces the capacity. See attached tips from the fly-boys😉 Oh! And welcome home, cheers Doug 😎
Attached Files - Click To View Large
Young at heart - slightly older in other places 😉 cheers Doug Grant me the Serenity to accept things I can't change, the Courage to change things that I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!
5th Apr 2018 22:20
