Warnings about using Li-Po Batteries

Hi folks.

First post !

I've just bought myself a Hummingbird CP2 as a late Christmas present. I have also been using the FMS flight sim (which is totally addictive - I was up until 4am the first night with it !).

I charged up the Li Po battery that came with the CP2 (11.1v 3 cell 1000mAhr) and managed not to break anything as I tried to hover for the first time.

Problem is, that the battery won't charge again. I've plugged it back onto the eSky charger and it's showing 'no battery present' on the LED's.

When I'd finished with the helicopter I ran the motor until the battery was pretty flat, but can't think of anything else that I may have done to cause a problem. Is this normal/ common that the battery dies after only one charge or is there something that I've missed ?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Andy

[Old man]

If you over dicharch it then the bat is dead

Thanks Old Man,

I appreciate your answer, but so that I avoid it in future how do you you know when to stop ? I'm used to discharging Nicads to avoid problems so this caught me out a little. I guess the time to stop is when it won't fly any more ?

BTW, don't think this makes any difference to anybody but me - but it's a Honeybee CP2 not the Hummingbird. (Duh !).

Regards,
Andy

[Old man]

You stop just when you notice that you loose power lipos in contrast to nicads must not be dischard your bat is 11.1V it must not be sischard under 9V at any cost ot you buy a new one.

You get used to knowing when the pack is low but at first you can test periodically with a volt meter. You will find when you get down to about 10.3 volts the tail will star to wander, it's then time to stop and recharge as the voltage will soon drop at this point. You can buy a Li-po saver LED warning light for a few pounds which will illuminate when the voltage reaches 9 volts.

[turco]

these are the instructions and Warning i got with my thunderpower battery


WARNING: Please read before charging or using battery
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
• You must read these safety instructions and warnings before using or charging your batteries.
• Lithium Polymer batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury
and damage to property if charged or used improperly.
• Thunder Power, its distributors or retailers assume no liability for failures to comply with these warnings and safety
guidelines.
• By purchasing this battery, the buyer assumes all risks associated with lithium batteries. If you do not agree with
these conditions, return the battery immediately before use.
General Guidelines and Warnings
1) Use specific Lithium Polymer charger only. Do not use a NiMH or NiCd charger - Failure to do so may a cause
fire, which may result in personal injury and property damage.
2) Never charge batteries unattended. When charging LiPo batteries you should always remain in constant observation
to monitor the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur.
3) Some LiPo chargers on the market may have technical deficiencies that may cause it to charge the LiPo batteries
incorrectly or at an improper rate. It is your responsibility solely to assure the charger you purchased works properly.
Always monitor charging process to assure batteries are being charged properly. Failure to do so may result in fire.
4) If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon or swell up, discontinue charging process immediately,
disconnect the battery and observe it in a safe place for approximately 15 minutes. This may cause the battery to
leak, and the reaction with air may cause the chemicals to ignite, resulting in fire.
5) Since delayed chemical reaction can occur, it is best to observe the battery as a safety precaution. Battery
observation should occur in a safe area outside of any building or vehicle and away from any combustible material.
6) Wire lead shorts can cause fire! If you accidentally short the wires, the battery must be placed in a safe area for
observation for approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, if a short occurs and contact is made with metal (such as
rings on your hand), severe injuries may occur due to the conductibility of electric current.
7) A battery can still ignite even after 10 minutes.
8) In the event of a crash, you must remove battery for observation and place in a safe open area away from any
combustible material for approximately 15 minutes.
9) If for any reason you need to cut the terminal wires, it will be necessary to cut each wire separately, ensuring the
wires to not touch each other or a short may occur, potentially causing a fire.
10) To solder a connector: Remove insulating tape of Red wire and solder to positive terminal of a connector, then
remove insulating tape of Black wire and solder to the negative terminal of connector. Be careful not to short the wire
lead. If you accidentally cause the battery to short, place it in a safe open space and observe the battery for
approximately 15 minutes. A battery may swell or even possibly catch fire after a short time.
11) Never store or charge battery pack inside your car in extreme temperatures, since extreme temperature could ignite
fire.
Charging Process
1) Never charge batteries unattended.
2) Charge in an isolated area, away from other flammable materials.
3) Let battery cool down to ambient temperature before charging.
4) Do not charge batteries packs in series. Charge each battery pack individually. Failure to do so may result in
incorrect battery recognition and charging functions. Overcharging may occur and fire may be the result.
5) When selecting the cell count or voltage for charging purposes, select the cell count and voltage as it appears on the
battery label. As a safety precaution, please confirm the information printed on the battery is correct.
a. Example: The label on a 2-Cell battery pack in series will read – “Charge as 2-Cell (7.4V), or may cause
fire” – You must select 2-Cell for charging.
b. Example: The label on a 3-Cell battery pack in series will read – “Charge as 3-Cell (11.1V), or may cause
fire” – You must select 3-Cell for charging.
6) Selecting a cell count other than the one printed on the battery (always confirm label is correct), can cause
fire.
7) You must check the pack voltage before charging. Do not attempt to charge any pack if open voltage per
cell is less than 3.3v
Example Do not charge a 2-cell pack if below 6.6v
Do not charge a 3 cell pack if below 9.9v
8) You must select the charge rate current that does not to exceed 1C (one times the capacity of the battery). A
higher setting may cause fire. The below chart is calculated at 1 x capacity of pack.
Example 730 mAh: Charge below 730 mA
860 mAh: Charge below 860 mA
1320 mAh: Charge below 1.32 Amps
1900 mAh: Charge below 1.9 Amps
2100 mAh: Charge below 2.1 Amps
7800 mAh: Charge below 7.8 Amps
8000 mAh: Charge below at 8 Amps
First Discharge
Keep the flight time to 6-minute sessions with 15-minute breaks.
Storage & Transportation
1) Store battery at room temperature between 40 and 80 degrees F for best results.
2) Do not expose battery pack to direct sunlight (heat) for extended periods.
3) When transporting or temporarily storing in a vehicle, temperature range should be greater than 20 degrees F but no
more than 150 degrees F.
4) Storing battery at temperatures greater than 170 degrees F for extended periods of time (more than 2 hours) may
cause damage to battery and possible fire.
Caring for Battery
1) Charge battery with good quality Lithium Polymer charger. A poor quality charger can be dangerous.
2) Set voltage and current correctly (failure to do so can cause fire).
3) Please check cell voltage after the first charge.
Example 1-Cell: 4.2V (4.15 to 4.22)
2-Cell: 8.4V (8.32 to 8.44)
3-Cell: 12.6V (12.48 to 12.66)
4-Cell: 16.8V (16.64 to 16.88)
5-Cell: 18.5V (18.30 to 18.60)
4) Do not discharge battery to a level below 3V per cell under load. Deep discharge below 3V per cell can deteriorate
battery performance.
5) Use caution to avoid puncture of the cell. Puncture of cells may cause a fire.
Operating Temperature
Charge: 32 to 113 degrees F
Discharge: 32 to 140 degrees F
1) Let battery cool down to an ambient temperature before charging.
2) During discharge and handling of batteries, do not exceed 160 degrees F.
Battery Life
Batteries that lose 20% of their capacity must be removed from service and disposed of properly.
Discharge the battery to 3V/Cell, making sure output wires are insulated, then wrap battery in a bag for disposal.
Product Warranty
Product warranty is limited to original defects in material and workmanship. Warranty does not cover collateral
damage. Due to the nature and use of this product there is no term warranty. Misuse, abuse, incorrect charging and
other inappropriate use of this product are not covered under warranty.
Thunder Power Batteries
4720 West University Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: (702) 228-8883 Fax: (702) 228-8885
www.thunderpower-batteries.com

[MattNZ]

Ok I'm paranoid nwow

I have a Esky Honey Bee 2 with 3 cell lipo 11.1 volts (650or 850 can't recall)

It says if you crash you should remove battery and inspect.. How bigger crash are we talking about if I'm trying to hover and crash from say 1metre up.. is there likely to be damage?

[cpc7084]

Happy day,

I have some wonder about my li-po battery from e-sky.

1) After every 10-15 mins flight with my belt CP, I felt that the battery temperature quite high. almost can't hold it long on hand. Is this OK?
2) The Belt-CP manual said that "charge time cannot exceed 120 mins", but I need about 6++ hrs to charge my 11.1V 1800 mAh li-po batery and about 7++ hrs to charge the 2100 mAh. Is this what it should be?
3) What the discharging rate : 20C/10C means?

Thanks