Something useful from HK.
It can sometimes be difficult to know which battery is best for your application.
For R/C aircraft there is a huge variety of batteries available and while many may suit your application your ultimate goal is to purchase a battery pack that will;
-be within your budget
-have a long cycle life
-have the correct size and weight
-give you the longest flight times
-be able to deliver the correct voltage/amp (Power)
We hope this simple guide helps you understand the different types of LiPoly (Lithium Polymer) batteries and which is right for your model.
You may have noticed by now that batteries have different ratings, sizes, plugs, wire, charge rates and chemical makeup. Lets decipher;
Capacity (mAh).
This is usually the biggest number shown on the pack and is measured in mAh (Milliamp/hour) or Ah (Amp/hour). The capacity is the first indicator of the batteries size. To keep things simple, think of capacity (mAh) as the amount of fuel in your cars gas tank. A higher capacity tank will run your car for longer. A 4,000mAh battery will run for twice as long as a 2,000mAh battery.
A 2,000mah battery will (in theory) run for 1hr if drained at a constant 2,000 Milliamps.
Discharge (C)
Discharge is the amount of power the battery can 'push' out and the number shown '20C' is an multiplication of the capacity. For example; A 20C battery can discharge at 20 x 2,000mAh which is 40,000mAh or 40Amps.
This is an important number if you know your motor requires a certain power level.
In addition to this, batteries have a 'Burst' rate, which is the amount of power the battery can discharge for a short period, usually 10-20 seconds. A typical battery label may show 20-30C, this would mean a 1,000mAh battery can discharge 20,000mAh constantly or give a sudden and short 10-20 second 30,000mAh (30A) burst of power.
Tip: A higher 'C' rated battery will last longer if run at a lower 'C' rate. Example: a 30C battery run at 20C maximum will have a longer cycle life than a 20C run at 20C each flight.
Voltage (S)
All lithium Polymer cells in any industry have a nominal voltage of 3.7v per cell. When fully charged a LiPoly cell should be 4.2v and when discharged it should never be below 3v.
You will notice that LiPoly RC packs are made up of layers of multiple cells. If the battery's rating is 3S this means it is 3 x 3.7v which is 11.1v. It has 3 layers of 3.7v each. In other words, its a '3 cell pack'.
Weight/Size
For a battery to be right for your model it must fit within the models battery compartment and also balance the plane correctly.
It's temping to choose the biggest and most powerful battery your model can handle, but this will sacrifice flight performance and if your packs voltage is too high; destroy the ESC or Motor.
Check with your ESC and Motor specification to ensure you have the right voltage pack then check the models CG (Center of Gravity) to decide on the right battery weight.
LiPoly Charging
Always use a lithium Polymer battery charger and never charge the battery above 4.2v per cell. (example: 2S, never above 8.4v)
Never leave a charging battery unattended.
Never allow the battery's voltage to fall below 3v per cell. (example: 3S, never below 9v)
Note- This document is a work-in-progress. Check back regularly as I expand this document to include battery chemistry, dig deeper into battery technology.
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