CARING FOR LIPO BATTERIES

Maintaining the performance of your batteries and getting maximum service life from them depends on how you care for them—specifically, how you use them and how you store them. Follow these rules and you’ll be certain to get the maximum number of runs from your packs, and peak performance with each charge.

USE LOW-VOLTAGE DETECTION

Unless your vehicle’s speed control is very old, it should have a low-voltage detection system, low-voltage cutoff, or “Lipo mode.” Regardless of name, these systems do the same thing: they slow or stop your vehicle, or otherwise alert you that your Lipo pack needs to be recharged. Always make sure this mode is selected when using Lipo packs. If you don’t, you run the risk of overdischarging the battery. At a minimum, this will reduce performance and take away a big chunk of the battery’s overall life. At worst, the battery will swell (generally known as “ballooning” or “puffing”) and must be discarded. If that occurs, take the pack to your local hobby store for proper disposal.

INSPECT AND CLEAN EVERY RUN

This goes for all batteries, whether NIMH, Lipo, or otherwise: promptly repair damaged shrink wrap, bum connectors, frayed wires, worn insulation, etc. If you don’t, you’re inviting further damage and short circuits.

STORE LIPOS 50% CHARGED

When not in use for an extended period, Lipo batteries should be stored at about 50% charged. If you charge a battery and don’t get to use it, avoid storing it fully charged for more than ten days. Any longer, and the pack’s capacity and voltage will begin to degrade. If you deplete a pack and store it without recharging, don’t worry quite as much; assuming it wasn’t over-discharged when you ran it, the pack can be safely stored for up to three weeks and you should have no trouble. However, if you let the pack go too long without recharging, it will eventually self-discharge itself to the point of being over-discharged. If your charger has a “storage charge” function, use it; this will make certain the pack is balanced and charged to 50% capacity. If your charger doesn’t have a storage mode, just fully charge the pack, then run it in your car for half as long as it usually takes to activate its low-voltage detection system. Then store your batteries in a cool, dry place.

Above: Keep your packs clean and inspect them for damage after each driving session. Below: Many Lipo chargers include a “Storage Mode” that makes it easy to prep packs for the off-season.

Traxxas speed controls show a green LED when Low Voltage Detection is activated.