Rules for charging and using LiPo batteries

A few REQUIRED rules for charging and using LiPo batteries:

1. Use only a charger designed for lithium batteries. The charger can be designed to charge Li-Ion or Li-Po batteries. Both types of batteries charge in exactly the same way. Some older chargers may charge batteries 0.1V less (4.1V instead of 4.2V), but this will not damage the battery.

2. Make sure the charger has the correct number of cells (cells). If you don't know how to do this, use a charger that you know how to do, or don't charge the batteries.

3. Before charging a new lithium battery, check the voltage of each battery cell. This should be done after every tenth cycle. This is extremely necessary because an unbalanced battery can explode on charge, even if the correct number of cells (cells) is set. If the cells are more than 0.1V apart, then charge each cell to 4.2V so they are all equal. If after each discharge the battery becomes unbalanced, then you have a bad cell (cell) and the battery needs to be replaced.

4. NEVER leave the charging process unattended. This is the first reason many houses and cars burned down.

5. Use a safe surface to charge your batteries in case if the batteries ignite they won't damage everything else. A ventilated fireproof cabinet, pyrex disc, fireplace, or stove top can be a good choice.

6. DO NOT CHARGE MORE THAN 1C (C is battery capacity in Ah). There are known cases of fires due to violation of this rule.

7. If the cell (cell) bulges while charging, DO NOT puncture the cell while it is still hot. Place the cell/battery in salt water and wait for the cell to cool down. When it cools down, carefully pierce the outer shell and place it back into the salt water. After that, the element can be safely thrown into the trash.

8. VERY IMPORTANT: If you have an accident, your lithium cells may be damaged in such a way that they have a short circuit inside. The element may look completely untouched. If you have an accident, in any case, remove the battery from the model and observe it closely for the next 20 minutes. Several fires were caused when damaged elements were left in the model and ignited later.

9. Charge your batteries in an open ventilated area. If the battery shell ruptures or explodes, hazardous fumes and materials are released from the battery.

10. Keep a bucket of sand close to where you run your model or charge your batteries. It's a cheap way to put out a fire. It's cheap and absolutely necessary.

11. Be aware that these batteries are potentially dangerous and don't think "this won't happen to me" as soon as you think it will happen to you and you will be trying to save your children from your burning house or car. Be serious about this.