It's no surprise that lipo batteries have revolutionized the way we power our products, from electric vehicles to drones. But in order to get the best out of our lipo batteries, it's important to understand how to correctly charge them.

In this blog, we'll explain the basics of lipo batteries and show you how to charge them properly. We'll provide guidance on choosing the right charger, setting up the charger, and also offer some tips on monitoring, storing and discharging your batteries. By the end of this blog, you'll be a master at lipo battery charging.

Introduction

Lipo batteries are common in many industries, from electric vehicles and drones to medical equipment and handheld devices. As the name suggests, lipo batteries are made from lithium polymer cells and are lightweight and compact, making them the ideal power source for portability.

The key to getting a long lifespan out of a lipo battery is understanding how to properly charge it. This includes understanding what type of charger to use, setting up the charger correctly, and monitoring the charging process. In this blog, we'll go over all the basics to help you get the most out of your lipo batteries and keep them alive for many charges.

Understanding Lipo Batteries

Before you can properly charge your lipo battery, you need to have a good understanding of battery components. Lipo batteries come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but most of them use two, three, or four cells (2S, 3S, 4S).

Each cell is composed of a positive, negative and balance tap. When charging, it's important to make sure each cell is evenly charged. To do this, connect the positive and negative taps of a single cell to the charger and the balance tap to the balance port in the charger. See also section: Storage and discharge below

When it comes to lipo batteries, it's also important to be aware of the voltage levels. Most lipo batteries have a voltage of around 4.2 volts for each cell, though this can vary depending on the battery type.  

Safety Precautions

Safety is always paramount when it comes to charging a lipo battery. It's important to take special care when handling the battery and charger. Always wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles, and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Make sure you're in a well-ventilated area and never charge unattended. Keep flammable materials away from the battery and charger, and check the temperature of the battery often to make sure it doesn't become too hot.

Also, when the battery looks puffed or bloated in any way, do not attempt to charge the battery, as it is dangerous to charge a battery with bad cells. It can be the case that your battery was damaged or punctured during a previous run.

You should also make sure you use a proper charging bag or fireproof container to store the battery during charging.

Choosing the Right Charger

When it comes to charging your lipo battery, it's important to make sure you have the right charger. The charger needs to match the shape, size and voltage of the battery, and you also need to make sure it's compatible with the power supply you'll be using (when using a separate bought power supply). 

Your budget will also determine charger size. There are default chargers for low budget, duo chargers are a choice for larger budgets and for high budgets there are quad chargers. We recommend for first use to buy a safe default charger with it's own power supply and charging cable set.

Most chargers will come with two charging cables – a main power cable and a balance cable. Connect the power cable to the power supply and the balance cable to the charger. The balanced charging cables come with many different types of connector: Deans or T-plug, Tamiya, EC3 or EC5, just to name a few. Please be sure to match the type of connection you have on your RC vehicle. Check your ESC battery cable and connector for compatibility, or use a connector adapter.

Setting Up the Charger

Once you've chosen the right charger and connected the cables, it's time to configure the charger. Depending on the type of charger you have, the settings may vary. Most modern chargers come with a digital display that let you adjust the voltage and charging time. Please be sure to read the manual first, that is included with your charger.

In order to properly charge your lipo battery, you need to make sure the voltage is set to the correct level. Many chargers also have a pre-set time limit, so you need to make sure that it is set to the correct time for your battery. Again, please look up the time table in the manual and see the index for your battery type to determine the proper charge settings.

Charging Techniques

Charging your lipo battery correctly is important to make sure it works properly and lasts as long as possible.

Always start with a low-rate charge of 1 cycle. This will make sure the battery isn't overcharged and is kept at a safe temperature. 

Once the battery is fully charged, disconnect the cables and remove the battery from the charger. Please pay attention to the alarm of your charger once your battery is fully charged. Again, do not leave the charger unattended when charging your batteries.

Monitoring the Charging Process

Monitoring your lipo battery during charging is important to make sure it stays safe and lasts a long time.

Check the temperature of the battery often to make sure it doesn't become too hot. Also, keep an eye on the voltage levels to make sure the battery is charging evenly. A balanced lipo battery is a healthy battery. Also, read the safety manual that comes with your lipo battery, to determine the minimum voltage each of the cells should be charged with.

If the charger has a digital display, you can also check the voltage and time remaining as the battery charges. Even if you are in the next room, pay a frequent visit to make sure you monitor the charging process and read the levels on the display in even intervals. This will prevent any surprises. 

Storage & Discharge

Once you've finished charging your lipo battery, it's important to store it at the correct voltage level. Generally, this should be at around 3.8 volts per cell. This will ensure that the battery doesn't over discharge and that it will last a long time. This is one of the most important tips and even a must to prolong the life and health of your lipo batteries.

When you're ready to use your battery again, always make sure the battery has the healthy storage voltage level between 3.80 and 3.85 volts per cell. This will make sure the battery is always charged from storage level. This is the only correct way, which will help ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Do not ever fully discharge a lipo battery, unless it is at the end of it's life cycle. If you should plan to do so, always follow the instructions of your lipo safety manual or the manual of your designated charger. It is always best to dispose of your lipo battery at your nearest municipal junk yard. They will know what to do with your junk battery.

Battery Maintenance

Proper maintenance is important to make sure your lipo battery lasts a long time.

Whenever possible, use a storage bag or fireproof container to store your battery when not in use. Make sure to keep the battery away from heat and direct sunlight.

It's also important to regularly check the battery for any signs of damage, such as cracks in the casing or frayed wires. If you find any damage, it's important to have the battery replaced as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Charging lipo batteries correctly is important to get the best performance and maximum life out of them. In this blog, we've gone over the basics of lipo batteries, the safety precautions you should take when charging them, and how to choose the right charger. We've also provided some tips on setting up the charger, monitoring the charging process, storing and discharging the battery, and maintaining it for optimal performance.

With the right knowledge, you'll soon be a master at charging your lipo batteries for optimum performance and durability.