Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are rechargeable batteries that have been used in many kind of manned and unmanned vehicles including radio-controlled cars, helicoper and aircraft for several years.
The main advantages of LiPo battery cells are that they have about four times the energy of density of nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. LiPo batteries are very lightweight and pliable, and can be made to almost any size or shape
The polymer lithium battery uses aluminum-plastic soft packaging in structure, which is different from the metal shell of the liquid battery. Once a safety hazard occurs, the liquid battery is easy to explode, while the polymer battery will only blow up at best, making them more resistant to physical trauma than most batteries.
What is LiPo battery?
A lithium-polymer battery (LiPo) is a rechargeable battery that, in the case of true LiPo, uses solid polymer for the electrolyte and lithium for one of the electrodes. Commercially available LiPo are hybrids: gel polymer or liquid electrolyte in a pouch format, more accurately termed a lithium ion polymer battery. Lithium-polymer batteries are lighter and more flexible than other kinds of lithium-ion batteries because of their soft shells, allowing them to be used in mobile and other electronic devices, as well as in remote control vehicles.
How long is the life of a LiPo battery?
The typical lifespan that we can expect from a LiPo battery is 2 to 3 years. This depends on how often it is used and charged as well as if it is taken care of or left sitting. These packs may last many years. For these reasons specifically, it is very important to maximize the battery lifespan so we don’t need to purchase new batteries every year or two. Purchasing new batteries can be very expensive! Prolonging the life of your LiPo battery pack is not hard, and something everyone should do. In order to maximize the life of your battery, it is important to be certain that you have a lot of head room in the C rating of your pack.
Where is LiPo battery used?
LiPo batteries are now almost ubiquitous when used to power commercial and hobby drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), radio-controlled aircraft, radio-controlled cars and large scale model trains, where the advantages of lower weight and increased capacity and power delivery justify the price.
Usage of LiPo Battery in Aviation
Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are among the most common battery types used for drones because they offer the advantage of high energy density in relation to their size and weight, with a higher voltage per cell, so they can power the drone’s on-board systems with fewer cells than other rechargeables. Safely charging and storing LiPo batteries is an important requirement of electric-powered flight. LiPo batteries rose to popularity with their ability to provide longer flight times with less weight as compared to the NiMh and Ni-Cd batteries they have largely replaced.
Limitations of LiPo Batteries
There are various safety issues and disadvantages regarding LiPo batteries. It has been found that overcharging, overheating, add puncture and short circuit, which can also cause fire and explosion depending on the severity of the occurance of the batteries can result in fire.
Charging and storage instructions are very specific to these batteries, and should always be followed closely. Poorly made and damaged LiPo battery cells can develop internal shorts or contamination giving rise to serious problems. If a LiPo battery is bulging or misshapen, it should never be charged or used again.