Introduction
Going out with your drone fitted with a LiPo drone battery can be a very great experience almost spiritual. Watching your majestic aircraft hopefully obey your commands is something to be happy about. This however may not always be the case. If you make the mistake of not choosing, installing, and maintaining your LIPO batteries, then your drone may burn or crash at the first launch.
In this blog today, we seek to educate you on the best practices to observe with regard to LIPO batteries and drones. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Technology.
What does LIPO mean?
LIPO simply means Lithium Polymer. There is nothing complicated beyond that. Drones and LIPO drone batteries are a dynamic duo that cannot be separated when it comes to flying drones. They work together to achieve a long flight time. They do this while ensuring that sharper flexibility and low weight are achieved.
The advantage of a LIPO drone battery is that it offers higher capacities and a high discharge rate at the same time. This is to say that a LiPo drone battery pack that has been well maintained will offer you more satisfaction and more fly time in the sky. This makes it economical to own your drone and deliver your projects in a timely manner.
Compared to other rechargeable drone batteries, LiPo drone batteries will hardly discharge themselves. This means that you can store your LIPO drone battery for more than a month or two while still ready to fly your drone.
It is however important to note that the chemical composition of Lipo drone batteries is a bit more volatile compared to other rechargeable batteries. You, therefore, need to be careful when shipping, storing or transporting them. You risk experiencing fire if you do not properly maintain your LIPo battery.
LIPO batteries vs Lithium ion batteries
If you try to conduct research on LiPo batteries, you will come across lithium-ion batteries. Are they one and the same thing? It is a yes and no. Both of them are made of lithium. They both depend on the chemical processes that may result in a fire if not properly handled. The lithium-ion batteries are enclosed in a very rigid compartment compared to LiPo drone batteries.
Most of the Li-ion models are the same as a larger AA battery (cell). Many cells are often fixed in a strong plastic compartment pack for use in high-energy consuming electronics such as laptops. The Li-ion rechargeable batteries are mostly found in computers, mobile phones, and power tools.
The main difference between LiPo batteries and Li-Ion batteries is their flexibility. As stated above, Li-Ion batteries are manufactured in rigid compartments and may not be modified into as many options as those of LiPo.
LiPo drone batteries are not prone to leaking. They are enclosed in an aluminum plastic film which is more robust compared to the casings used in Li-ion. LiPo batteries offer tinier thickness even less than 1 mm.
Going by the casing sizes, LiPo batteries are usually 20-40 percent lighter compared to Li-Ion batteries. This gives you the reason why they are used as drone batteries. Lipo batteries also give higher power output as well as high capacity. These are some of the many reasons why having a LiPo drone battery is the first step toward longer and safe drone flights.
Which is the best LiPo battery for your drone?
Unless you have you are using a DIY drone, then the choice of your drone battery is limited to that of the manufacturer. Most drones will handle drone batteries that offer a range of total flight duration. However, your choice will still be determined by the total takeoff weight that your drone has. It goes without saying therefore that a good flight equals to higher cost of the drone battery.
Choosing the correct LiPo drone battery can only be compared to selecting a car. Some will want a car that starts and goes while others may consider a fuel-efficient car. If you are into speed for your drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), then you will need a drone battery with a higher discharge rate in order to get the extra speed burst.
You should look for a LiPo drone battery with a higher C rating. If you need long flight times, then large capacity LiPo drone batteries will be ideal. You should always make sure that you carry several LiPo drone batteries depending on your usage frequency and the flight time you intend to have.
Shipping, Storage, and Disposal of LiPo Drone Batteries
LiPo drone batteries are safe but may also turn volatile if badly handled. You should store them in a fireproof place or buy fire-resistant bags to store and carry them around to guarantee safety. Experts also recommend that LiPo drone batteries be stored in a metal ammo box. You should also store them at room temperature when 50 percent charge.
Rechargeable drone batteries can be mailed in limited quantities via surface or air. You can ship using FedEx and UPs which are global logistics companies that also offer a step-by-step guide on how you can ship LiPo drone batteries through them.
Before you dispose of your LiPo drone battery, make sure you have completely discharged it. Once its charge is empty 100%, dispose of the battery at any of your local recycling centers. If your LiPo battery is leaking, burned, corroded, or pictured, ensure you immediately dispose of it by wrapping it in a non-flammable material as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
LiPo drone batteries are the best choice whenever you think about long and fast drone flights. Whether you are using a DIY or factory drone, LiPo drones are not going to disappoint you. Here at Dronebatt, we are constantly engaged in the manufacturing of high-quality, safe, and reliable LiPo drone batteries for all our customers worldwide.
If you are looking for a reliable business partner, you are in the right place. Contact us today for a more interactive discussion as we seek to help you understand the technologies behind our success.