G+_Donald Burr Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 LiPo battery question... I read online that LiPo batteries should NOT be left fully charged, even for short periods, and that doing so will risk them swelling up or bursting into flame or otherwise doing very destructive things to themselves. True or false, or somewhere in between (i.e. a kernel of truth to it, but mostly overblown) How long can one safely leave a LiPo battery sitting fully (or mostly fully) charged? A day? Several days? A week? Or is it really not safe to leave them stored fully charged for any length of period at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Leaving them fully charged will stress the chemistry, but it's not unsafe. It will just shorten the life of the pack. Typically I don't worry about storing at 40% unless I'm stepping away from flying for more than 2 weeks. (Which doesn't happen in California!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Wayne Black Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Pretty sure the "bursting in flames" part is mainly due to the bags that encase the lipo batteries being damaged (or possibly overcharging with a cheap charger). Maybe the chemicals are exposed to oxygen. The swelling has to do with the chemistry of the battery degrading as they age. I just had to replace the battery in my Samsung G III. The back was getting ready to pop off! As a precaution, when charging my Syma X5 batteries at my computer desk, I place them in a glass Mason jar. I've ordered a fire proof charging bag, but it hasn't arrived yet. After flying the Syma, I leave the batteries sit unless I know I will be flying soon. Soon meaning within a week and like the Padre, I live where it's warm, so it could happen anytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Wayne Black Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 As for further info see: http://www.rogershobbycenter.com/lipoguide/ Well written guide to understanding lipo batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Will LaValley (Sonic4Sp Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 From what I have seen leaving them about half is good if you are going more than a month or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brandon Jasper Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 It's not technically good to leave lipo batteries charge fully for long periods of time. At full capacity they'll experience a higher self discharge and stress the chemistry. It's not that bad though as you likely do it with your portable electronics all the time. If you intend to store them for long periods, such as over the winter, discharge/charge each cell to 3.8v which is about the 50% capacity level. What you don't want to do is leave your batteries in a discharged state where self discharge can pull a cell below 3.3v and start really damaging the cell. Any decent charger should have a storage charge/discharge setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts