LiPo batteries, short for Lithium Polymer battery, are a type of rechargeable battery that has taken the electric RC world by storm, especially for helicopters, planes, and multi-rotor/drone. Actually, they are the main reason electric flight is now a very viable option over fuel powered model.
Before visiting any battery factory, you should keep in mind that LiPo batteries have five main things going for them that make them the optimum battery choice for RC aircraft over conventional rechargeable battery types such as NiCad, or NiMH.
Actually, LiPo batteries are light weight and can be made in almost any shape and size. The mini lipo battery also has large capacities, meaning they hold lots of energy in a small package. Keep in mind LiPo batteries have high discharge rates to power the most demanding electric RC aircraft and vehicles.
You might be wondering how the novel LiPo battery is made. Well, almost every LiPo battery cell is packaged in a flexible plastic pouch coincidentally called a ‘pouch cell.’ It is important to note that pouch cells are the ideal solution for building multi-celled battery packs since the flat pouch cell can be stacked with no wasted air spaces like found within round celled battery packs.
Considering the round lipo battery uses this light weight plastic pouch rather than a metal can, less weight is the result making pouch celled LiPo’s the preferred choice in weight conscious aircraft applications.
It is also worth noting that LiPo battery cells/packs will heat up fast and can be irreversibly damaged when over-discharged under load. The larger the load, the worse the damage. The over-discharged threshold value to remember is never lower than 3 volts per cell whole Under Load.
One thing that is universal for anyone that runs electric R/C cars and/or trucks is a desire for more run time. It seems like there is no such thing as too much run time, but there is an optimal way to improve the amount of running time you can get with your R/C vehicle.
You can never downplay the benefits of using this high discharge rate battery. Actually, the operating voltage of a single lithium-polymer cell is 3/7v (average), equivalent to three nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydride batteries in series. Always take it upon yourself to do your homework before investing in an e-health care battery.
