Lithium Polymer or LiPo batteries are a great new way of storing energy for portable devices from cell phones to RC helicopters.
They’re great because they can store 350% (approximately) more energy than a typical Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) battery pack and weigh 10% – 20% less. They can also discharge much more current than a NiCd battery and be fully charged in about an hour. LiPo batteries also don’t develop memory or voltage depression characteristics like NiCd batteries, and do not need to be discharged before being charged.
But they’re not without their downside. Mishandling of these batteries can lead to fire, explosions and toxic smoke inhalation. In the rest of this guide, we’ll discuss how to charge, store and handle lithium polymer batteries safely so you can enjoy them again and again.
Please note that the information contained in this guide is for informational purposes only. You should consult your batteries manual for specific instructions regarding the handling, charging and safe usage of your lithium polymer batteries.