Lipo Battery & Chargers

1. What does LiPo battery mean?

A lithium-polymer battery (LiPo) is a rechargeable battery that uses solid polymer for the electrolyte and lithium for one of the electrodes in the case of true LiPo. Commercially available LiPo batteries are hybrids, consisting of a gel polymer or liquid electrolyte in a pouch format, and are more accurately referred to as lithium ion polymer batteries.

2. Is LiPo better than Li ion?

When compared to Li-ions, LiPos offers several performance advantages, including higher energy density and lighter-weight batteries. Furthermore, LiPos can be manufactured in a wider range of shapes and sizes.

3. What are drone batteries?

Drone batteries are one of the most important components of the drone to achieve an ideal balance between performance and flight time. Lithium batteries are the most common battery chemistry used to power quadcopters due to their high energy densities and high discharge capabilities.

4. How do drone batteries work?

Drone batteries work on the principle of intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions from a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material, with the liquid electrolyte providing a conductive medium.

5. What is the advantage of LiPo batteries?

The next generation of electric vehicles may also be powered by LiPo batteries. The main benefit of LiPo battery cells is that they have approximately four times the energy density of nickel-cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. LiPo batteries are extremely lightweight and pliable and can be manufactured in almost any size or shape.

6. Which are the best drone batteries based on my requirements?

Important factors to consider for best drone batteries:

Battery Composition: Drones should be powered with LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries are much better than their NiCad older brothers because they output power faster, store larger amounts of power, and have a longer life.

Battery Life: The bigger the drone, the bigger the battery you will need. Under normal usage the drone should be able to fly at least 15 minutes. 

Charging: The duration of charging  tends to be relative to the capacity of the battery. You can shorten charge time by using a charger with a higher output, which is indicated by amps.

7. What are the types of drone batteries?

The lithium battery packs used to power quadcopters have two common chemistries: Lithium polymer (LiPO) and lithium polymer high voltage (LiHV). 

The primary difference between the two is that a LiPO cell has a fully charged voltage of 4.2V compared to a LiHV cell which has a voltage of 4.35V at full charge. A LiPO has a resting or nominal voltage of 3.7V versus a LiHV which has a storage voltage of 3.8V. 

8. How often do I need to replace the battery for my drone?

Batteries need to be recharged every time when there is no power in the battery. Experts advise to discharge the battery completely and then fully recharge for every 10-20 battery cycles. It is also suggested to change the propellers after 200 flights.

9. What is the use of a drone battery?

Drone Batteries 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 rechargeable.