12V LIFE PO4 BATTERY PACK

1.What is a lipo battery?

Lipo battery in its extended form is called a lithium-ion polymer battery. Lipo battery is a rechargeable battery used for various purposes. For example, our telecom batteries, drone batteries, medical batteries, etc. are all composed of lithium-ion batteries.One of its most common uses is in mobile phones. Since we all know that the batteries consist of having liquid material inside them. Here the lipo batteries show a remarkable distinct property. The lip battery pack has polymer electrolytes inside it. 

Polymer electrolyte shows a remarkable difference from other lithium-ion batteries. It is one of the highest conductivity polymer gels available for batteries. This feature makes its specific energy very high. 

Most of the gadgets that children and adults have in their hands contain lipo batteries.  

Lipo Battery

2.What is a 3s lipo battery?

The 3s lipo battery has the letter S in its name which indicates the presence of 3 cells inside the battery. These digits and alphabets are printed on the battery as an abbreviation that any electronic expert could easily make sense of. 

More commonly the batteries are known as lipo battery which means that it contains only one cell. That one cell has a voltage of 3.7 v. Likewise, if we double the voltage to 2S, then there would be two cells working instead of just 1. Thus, making the voltage of the battery increased by two folds and making it to 7.4V, hence known as 2s lipo battery.

The 3s lipo battery will have 3 cells and the voltage power increased up to triple folds which will be 11.1 volts. 

3.What advantages a lipo battery offers?

The lipo battery has some below-mentioned advantages. These advantages make it a worth buying product.

•High energy density

Lipo battery has high energy density as compared to other battery types of the same family. Just take the example of nickel-cadmium battery and nickel hydride battery. Since the lipo battery provides a charge of 3.6v which is comparatively much greater than other batteries. 

•No Lack of Memory Effect

Lipo batteries do not show any lack of memory effect even after continuous cycles of charging and discharging. Lack of memory effect refers to lowering in battery capacity and deteriorating its health. On the other hand, nickel-cadmium shows such losses of memory effect after some charging or discharging cycles. 

•Lower Discharge Rate 

Lithium-ion batteries have a lower discharge rate as compared to other competitive batteries available in the marketplaces. The discharge rate of lipo batteries revolves around 1.5 to 2 percent every month, approximately. 

•No Harmful Substances 

Another factor is that they do not have toxic cadmium substances stored inside. Thus, making the lipo battery easy to dispose of off even if it gets damaged after completing its life. Since, the lipo batteries use lithium-ions instead of lithium-metals, thus making it is a safe and secure product to use inside mobile phones, toys, and whatnot. 

•Low Maintenance 

Lipo batteries need very little maintenance. The user will get rid of the cyclic maintenance like other batteries if he purchases one. 

•Specialty Cells 

As compared to other batteries available in the marketplace, the lipo battery has the advantage of having specialty cells stored inside it. The specialty cells are known for providing a high current to various applications. 

4.Are there any disadvantages of the lipo battery?

Despite the modern-day technology lipo battery still has some drawbacks. Some of its disadvantages are as follows

•Overheating

This battery is based on many different and unique lithium elements to provide better life cycle in low cost as compared to other batteries. Lithium iron phosphate when combined with other lithium based chemicals it produces a stable battery combination.

•Safety mechanism

More safety mechanisms are needed to fulfill its high standards. This is because lithium-ion needs more safety precautions to reduce its internal pressure and voltage. These steps increase the battery’s weight and reduced performance.

•Fragile Battery Structure 

 As lithium-ion is fragile it needs some external protection circuit to increase safety while it is operating. The built-in protection circuit prevents the cell voltage to drop during discharge.

•Battery Aging 

Lipo battery is suspected to show a speedy aging process when not stored in a cool and dry place. thus, the battery needs to be stored in a favorable environment. It is not just the lithium polymer batteries that are known to slow the aging process. Rather other nickel-cadmium batteries are also showing such damage. 15 degrees Celsius is a considerable temperature to store the lipo batteries. 

•Battery Transportation 

Battery transportation of lipo batteries is not considered favorable either through land, sea, and air if it has an excess of lithium material inside

•Expensive Make-Up

Lithium polymer batteries are expensive to make up as compared to other nickel-cadmium batteries. They are almost 40 percent more expensive than batteries of all other types. 

5.Compare and contrast Lipo battery and NiMH battery?

There are many differences between lipo battery and NiMH battery. They differ based on their chemical composition, properties, and charging abilities. Note that the lipo batteries contain lithium-ion and polymer, while the NiMH battery contains, a hybrid of nickel and metal. Thus, it marks the major difference in its technology. 

Lipo Batteries

• Lipo batteries need not discharge completely. They can retain the charge of approximately 50 to 70 percent. 
• storing lipo batteries inside the lipo safe bags can improve the overall battery life.
• The use of a lipo battery is more convenient with compatible devices
• The manufacturing process of lipo batteries is more difficult as it is time-consuming and hectic for the workforce
• The use of lipo batteries is becoming more common in home appliances of daily use
• •During the process of discharging a lipo battery, the rated voltage of its cells is 3.0V
• Experts advise that only a compatible charger must be used for the charging process to maintain the good health of the battery.
• A lipo battery can store about 50-70% charge which makes up the voltage to about 3.85V-3.9V.
• A LiPo safe bag must be used when charging and storing.
• The lipo battery is lighter in weight than the NiMH battery.
• Lipo batteries come in different sizes even in different shapes. Its customized shapes have enabled the companies to provide lipo batteries that can fully occupy the battery shell in the device.
• Another advantage of a lipo battery is that it is free from the problem of memory effect. Lipo batteries don’t need to be fully discharged before recharging.

NiMH Batteries

• In a NiMH battery, the process of charging and retaining the charge is safe and carefree.
• The process of manufacture of a NiMH battery is more convenient and cheaper than other batteries.
• Nowadays, the use of NiMH batteries is becoming more common in the daily use of home appliances and devices.
• The average rated voltage of cells of NiMH battery is 1.2V
• The cells which comprise up the NiMH battery are of standard size enclosed with metal cases.
• In NiMH batteries, we may face the problem of the memory effect. To keep the available capacity full, the battery must be fully discharged before the next charging.

6.Does the lipo battery charger is same as the other battery charger?

Experts say that only lipo-compatible chargers must be used for charging a lipo battery. Lipo batteries need special care because of their special system of cc/cv (constant current and constant voltage). Another justification of such a statement from experts is that we face the problem of balancing. Balancing means equalizing the current of each cell in a pack.

•Purchase Chargers with Built-in Balancer

Some chargers are available in the market that contains built-in balancers. Customers usually recommend purchasing a charger that has extra built-in facilities. In this way, customers don’t need to purchase a balancer separately.

•P1 Dynamite Passport Mini Charger

I would recommend you a P1 dynamite passport mini charger. This charger has the advantage that it can charge other batteries as well as lipo batteries. These other batteries include NiCd battery, lead-acid battery, NiMH battery.

A lipo battery is usually charged comparatively slowly. This is because of its system and up-to-date technology. Where an ordinary liquid electrolyte battery is charged at about 2500-3000 mAh, a lipo battery needs to be charged only at 3 amps

•Charger for Higher Watt Batteries

Some devices have a higher charging rate, a greater number of cells, and require a battery with large capacities. If you have the same type of device, then you need to get a charger that can charge the batteries at higher wattages. For such devices too, the above-mentioned P1 dynamite passport mini charger is suitable. The above-mentioned charger can charge the batteries at higher wattage. Each port operates at about 50 watts. The latest version of this charger is also available which can operate at about 100 watts.

7.What is the difference between 2s lipo battery vs 4s lipo battery?

First, we need to understand what do the terms 2s and 4s mean. The terms 2s and 3s represent the number of cells in the battery.

•2s lipo battery

If you see the term 2s written on a lipo battery, this shows that there are 2 cells in the battery. A single cell of lipo battery provides about 3.7V and when 2 cells are combined it increases up to 7.4 V. 2s lipo batteries are available in different varieties and are operated at 7.4V. The varieties are to ensure the buyers find the one which best suits their device.

You may also find some 2S2P batteries. They are also 2s batteries, but they have 4 cells instead of 2. Their 4 cells are connected in such a way that 2 cells combine and work together as a single cell. In this way, the 4 cells function together as 2 cells and the battery is considered as a 2s battery. Among these 4 cells, the first 2 are connected in series and the other 2 are connected into the first two cells but in parallel.

This method is old and nowadays modern technology has made the construction of lipo batteries more convenient and simpler.  

•4s lipo battery

A 4s lipo battery is a 4-cell battery. It is operated at 14.8V. it is also known as a 14.8V lipo battery due to its ability to work at 14.8V. A 4s lipo battery has the advantage of very high power and a long-running time. It’s found its applications mainly in laptops, 4-way flashers, and hazard lights. 

8.What is the difference between a 6s lipo battery vs an 8s lipo battery?

•6s lipo battery

A 6s lipo battery has a pack of 6 cells. Its average voltage is said to be 22.6V. A 6s lipo battery mainly finds its applications in power radio-controlled aircraft, radio-controlled cars, and large-scale model trains.

•8s lipo battery 

8S LiPo batteries run at 29.6v and come in a variety of capacities. Usually, 8s battery packs are made up of better quality lithium polymer raw material. The modern technology of 8s batteries has made each cell provide about 5000mAh capacity. Different varieties of 8s batteries are available in the market. 8s lipo batteries find their applications in wireless remote control devices.

 9.What is the difference between a 3.7v lipo battery and a 7.4v lipo battery?

•3.7V lipo battery

A 3.7V lipo battery is a single cell battery. The term “3.7V” is its average or nominal voltage. As the potential is utilized, the voltage drops and reaches its minimum value which is almost 3.0V for a single cell lipo battery. A 3.7V battery finds its applications mostly in laptop battery packs, telephones, electronic cigarettes, flashlights, and cordless power tools.

•7.4V lipo battery

A 7.4V lipo battery is a 2 cell battery, commonly known as a 2s battery. It comprises a pack of 2 cells each with a voltage of 3.7V. it can be easily charged by a compatible charger within 1 and a half hours or two. A 2s lipo battery or 7.4V lipo battery commonly finds its applications in small electric devices such as rechargeable fans, rechargeable flashlights, and remote-controlled toys.

10.How to choose a Lipo battery?

Choosing the right battery for your device is one of the most important steps to increase your device’s life and maintain its good health. Following are some important factors to note while choosing a lipo battery.

•Voltage

When you buy a lipo battery you should note that when the battery is fully charged, its cells should be at 4.2V. After using, when the battery is fully discharged, its cells must not be a potential difference of less than 3V.

•Capacity

Another important factor to be noted is that of capacity. This term concerning battery can be understood well by considering it as a fuel tank of a car. A bigger fuel tank has more capacity of fuel has the ability to run the car for more time. The same is the case with the battery. A 6000mAh battery can run the device with full power and for a longer period of time. One should look for the battery which one’s device will support.

•Weight

The weight of the battery is also an important factor to be considered while buying a lipo battery. Consider it as your phone battery. Customers mostly prefer lightweight batteries. Batteries with a higher capacity normally have greater capacity. So choose the one which your model supports.

•Physical size

The manufacturers try to be consistent in the size of batteries. The battery should fit within the space available in your device. Sometimes buyers may have to face the issue of dimensions. Even a difference of 2-3mm in dimensions can be a hurdle in fitting in your device.

•Discharge

Discharge is the amount of power your battery can supply. A wattmeter should be used before buying a lipo battery to check the demand of your device.

Another factor mentioned on the batteries is 'Burst' rate, burst rate means the amount t of power your battery can supply for a very short period i-e about 10-25 seconds. Commonly batteries display 20-30C which shows a 2000mAh battery will supply about 30000mAh constantly.

•Charging rate

The lower amperage you charge your batteries with, the longer it will take to charge your batteries. Slower charging is always best for the health of your battery. If charging rate “C” is not displayed then to be safe, recharge it at the rate of 1C.

11.How to calculate the maximum continuous current output for your battery?

To calculate the maximum continuous current output for the battery, one should know about the voltage of the battery he is using and as well as the capacity of the battery. Dividing the capacity of the battery with the ampere per hour current driven by it will dictate the maximum continuous current output for the battery. 

12.How much capacity do I need?

If we suppose that the battery has a total voltage of 4.2 volts, then every cell must have a storage capacity of 3.6 volts to 3.8 volts. So, that the battery’s full capacity of storage will be somewhere between 85 percent to 90 percent of the battery which is assumed to be fully charged. 

Note that these statistics will be viable only when the battery is said to be at rest. 

13.What type of battery is considered as best lipo battery?

If we look at the types of Lipo batteries it is inferred that the lipo batteries are mainly of the four below-mentioned types. 
•Lithium iron phosphate battery
  •Lithium-ion ternary battery
  •Lithium cobalt oxide battery
  •Lithium-ion manganese oxide battery 

From these battery types of lipo batteries, the lithium-iron-phosphate battery is considered one of the best lipo batteries. 

Its features and a`dvantages make it very much consumer-friendly as well as convenient to use. Know that lifepo4 batteries have good electrochemical performance taking into view the reactions going on inside the battery cell. 

It produces high current, provides good thermal stability no matter if the battery gets heated up, it offers end-to-end protection to the user as well as the manufacturer because it does not have excessive chemical substances inside. 

In addition to this, long battery life, availability of raw materials, and very little production of environmental pollution makes this product plays its role in fulfilling the corporate social responsibility. 

On the other hand, the batteries having cobalt, ternary, and manganese do not show all such advantages in one pack only. 

14.How do you take care of Lipo Battery Safety?

Following hacks will ultimately help the user in taking care of the lipo battery to ensure its safety and better performance.

• •One of the major problems faced with batteries is that they can catch fire. To prevent such conditions always use a lipo safe (fireproof) bag before starting charging.
• •Dispose of the damaged batteries. Don’t use the damaged or punctured battery.
• .Never take the batteries near the flame. Batteries are flammable, charge them away from fire or sunlight.
• •Never charge a lipo battery while it is installed in the vehicle, always find an open area away from fire, flammable liquids, or surfaces.
• •Always remember a rule, more the temperature of the battery, the shorter will be its lifespan. Experts say that doesn’t charge a battery when it is warm after using and don’t use a battery that is still warm after charging.
• •Never let the positive and negative terminals of the battery connector in any way. It may lead to an internal short circuit which may further result in an explosion.
• •If you notice any deformation, swelling, puffing in the battery, immediately stop the use and dispose of off once they get cooled.

15.How to maintain the Lipo battery?

•Never strike a battery at hard surfaces.

•Try never to drop the battery. Any deformation may result in reduced battery life.

•Never try to deform, detach or open the battery’s structure. This may result in leakage of toxic materials that will be harmful as well as damaging to the battery.

•As mentioned above, batteries are extremely flammable, never dispose of them in the fire.