Article Post:
Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Lithium Polymer Batteries
Lithium Polymer Batteries is the favorite power source of electric radio-controlled models. They are relatively cheap, light, and hold lots of power. However, many new hobbyists may have some enquiries as to their operations.
Here are three frequently asked questions about lithium polymer batteries:
- 1. What is Cell Balancing?
- Lithium Polymer batteries usually come packaged as a pack of more than two individual battery cells. For example, electric RC helicopters use 3-cell packs. Each of these battery cells has a nominal voltage of 3.7v; which means that each cell can operate when it maintains its charge between 3.0 to 4.2v. To go above or below or below this range can damage the cell and render it useless, or worse, become dangerously unstable and explode.
While the battery is in usage, the power drawn out of each cell is not equal. Therefore, at the end of each flight, the cells in the battery will be left out of balance. A non-balancing charger will stop charging the battery pack once the voltage of the overall pack is full without paying any attention to each cell. This causes the battery to be more and more unbalanced with each charge and would also result in a diminished performance of the battery pack.
A balance charger eliminates any unbalanced-cells symptoms of a battery pack by charging each cell individually; making sure that the cell’s voltage remain balanced at the end of each charge. In essence, balance charger lengthen the life of the battery back and maximizes its performance as well as keep the pack stable and safe to operate. - 2. What is C rating?
- A lot of radio-control fliers quickly grasp the meaning of most of the battery-associated acronyms but one: the C rating. In fact, many experts have tripped over themselves trying to explain it. However, I've heard a graspable explanation of it from an old Chinese battery manufacturer/expert very recently. Which is: The "C Rating" is the number which you multiply to the capacity of the battery to get its discharge rate.
Still confused? Basically, a 1000 mAh battery rated at 1C will provide 1000 mA of power for 1 hour. On the other hand, if the same pack was rated at 2C, it would provide 2000 mA of power for 30 minutes. - 3. How fast can I charge a pack?
- Each Lithium Polymer battery pack has a different maximum charge rate. It is very important to never ever charge at a rating above the specified rate! Most batteries have a label that specifies this vital information. However, if the maximum charge rate is not specified, keep in mind that most Lipos are made to be charged at a rate of 1C. Which means a 1000 mAh pack can be charged at 1A and a 500mAh pack can be charged at 0.5A. Once again, never ever exceed the maximum charge rate lest the battery explodes!
Radio-controlled aviation is a fascinating hobby. Learn all about its newest and fastest growing sector, electric RC helicopters at http://www.electric-rc-helicopter.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Soonthornnont
http://EzineArticles.com/?Lithium-Polymer-(LiPo)-Battery-FAQ&id=703837
Article Post:
Lithium-ion Batteries - The Way Of The Future
The Benefits of Using a Lithium Battery
As an industrial maintenance mechanic for the past twenty years, I have seen maintenance and other trades revolutionized by the introduction of cordless tools. They help save time, money and can be used just about anywhere. Technology has come alomg way since the early days of cordless tools. Larger voltages have resulted in more power and longer run times from batteries have helped the tools become popular among tradesmen.
One of the only knocks against cordless tools has been the weight. The average 18 volt cordless drill has weighed up to six pounds in the past. The tool manufacturers have listened to the tradesman who want more power, more run time, and a lighter tool. The development of lithium-ion batteries for the cordless tool industry addresses all three of these consumer needs. Lithium-ion batteries offer a reduction in cordless battery weight of 25-40 % and a total tool weight of up to 25 %. In the past, many of the NiCad and NiMH batteries had to extend up into the handle of tools such as cordless drills, reciprocating saws, and circular saws. This all translated into more overall weight for the battery and tool. With the development of lithium-iom technology, manufacturers can pack more power in a battery pack that is the same size/weight as the NiCad or NiMH or fit the same power as the NiCad or NiMH in a smaller battery pack.
Lithium-ion batteries can also deliver more run time per charge than NiCad.The highest capacity for lithium-ion batteries is 3.0 Ah. This represents a 25 percent increase of the NiCad at 2.4 Ah. The NiMH highest rated capacity is 3.5 Ah. The lithium-ion may not deliver a better run time than the NiMH, but the lithium-ion battery will deliver better total performance over the life of the battery than NiCad and NiMH.The results are plainly seen in the the power delivery curve over the cycle life of the lithium-ion battery. The power delivery curve is steady compared to the older technology. This helps power delivery remain constant over the life of the charge. We all know what happens to a cordless tool when the battery starts to wind down.
It loses much of its power.The power loss at the end of the charge is drastically reduced in lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion battery delivers better total performance over the life of the battery than NiCad and NiMH. Another advantage of lithium-ion batteries is that cordless power tools have a better ergonomic design. With the battery not extending into the handle of the tool, manufacturers can make a more comfortable grip for their consumers to enhance the use of the tool. Lithium-ion batteries are the way of the future in cordless tools. NiCad and NiMH will be around for several more years but like cars, older models are eventually retired to make way for the new. Visit http://wwwjustcordlessdrills.com for more cordless drill information.
About the Author:
My name is Jim and I have been around tools all my life. I have been involved in electronics, the electrical trade, and industrial maintenance during my entire working career. I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps as a Test Equipment and Calibration Technician. I also went to Luzerne County Community College where I studied Electronic Technology. I have worked as an industrial electrician, on the road as a service technician, and as an industrial maintenance mechanic for the past twenty years. I have worked for such companies as T.J. Lipton (the Soup and Tea People), Cargill, and I am currently employed by Pepsico in their Gatorade Division. I also have my own website called http://www.justcordlessdrills.com, where you can get useful information on cordless drills and also find great deals if you have need of purchasing a quality brand name cordless drill.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Gzemski
http://EzineArticles.com/?Lithium-ion-Batteries---The-Way-Of-The-Future&id=498263
Article Post:
Battery Tips For Your Mobile Gadgets
Maintenance Tips To Get the Most From Your Batteries
No matter what mobile gadget you are using, it is necessary that you take care of the battery used to power the device. Long battery life is the most sought after feature by people who use energy consuming mobile gadgets. A laptop computer, the wireless handset, mobile phone, tablets PCs or whatever the device is, the main concern of the user is uninterrupted power supply. Here are a few tips for using the battery efficiently so that the life of the battery can be increased.
At the outset, the user has to tag along the manufacturer’s instruction very firmly. Improper handling or usage of the device will shorten the life of the battery.
The new battery comes in a discharged state and must be charged before use. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer while charging it for the first time. It may require 3 or 4 charge/ discharge cycles before attaining the maximum capacity.
When you are charging the battery for the first time, the device may point out that the charging is complete after 10 to 15 minutes. This is a normal observable fact with rechargeable batteries. At this stage, remove the battery from the computer and repeat the charging procedure.
It is important to condition by fully discharging and then recharging the battery every 2 to 3 weeks. This will enhance the life of the battery. If the device will not be used for a month or longer period it is advised to remove the battery and keep it in a cool and dry place. The charged battery will in due course loose its charge if kept unused for prolonged period. Take special care to clean the dirty battery contacts with cotton swabs and alcohol. This helps to give efficient service to your portable devise.
If you do not plan to use the battery for a month or more, disconnect it and store it in a dry place as suggested earlier. Ni cad (Nickel cadmium), Ni MH (Nickel metal hydride) and Li-Lon (Lithium Lon) batteries will self discharge during storage. Remember to break them in before use. Sealed lead acid ( SLA ) batteries must be kept at full charge during storage. This is generally accomplished by means of particular trickle chargers. In case you do not have trickle charger, do not try to store SLA batteries for more than three months.
To get the greatest performance from your battery completely optimize the notebook’s power management features prior to use. Your user’s guide will provide information relating to specific power management features.
The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is 500 to 800 charged discharged cycles. This is more or less equivalent to 1.5 to 3 years of battery life for the average user.
Find Cheap Gadgets from UK Online Shops and before you buy you can read reviews of mobile phones and choose your best mobile phone.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Thomas
http://EzineArticles.com/?Battery-Tips-For-Your-Mobile-Gadgets&id=785008