Knowing More About Charging And Discharging

Lithium battery is a type of battery composed of Lithium, which is the lightest metal and it has the highest electrochemical potential. Lithium is an unstable metal. Due to its lightness and high energy density, Lithium batteries are ideal for notebook computers and other portable devices and toys.
But one needs to know the right method of charging the lithium polymer batteries. Some steps to be kept in mind are as follows:
• Never leave a LiPo/lithium battery unattended at any time while it is on charge.
• Never charge a LiPo battery while it is inside the model. A hot pack could ignite wood, foam, plastic, etc.
• Never use other chargers! Only use a charger specifically designed for LiPo batteries which can apply the "constant current/constant voltage" charge technique (cc/cv).
• Never charge the Lithium battery at currents greater than the "1C" rating of the battery (300mA, or 0.3A).
• Never allow LiPo cells to overheat at any time! Cells which exceed 140°F (60°C) during charge can and usually will become damaged physically and possibly catch fire!! Always inspect a battery which has overheated and do not re-use if you suspect it has been damaged in any way.
• Never apply a trickle charge to lithium polymer batteries.
• Always discontinue charging a lithium batteries immediately if the battery begins to swell. Swelling can cause the battery to rupture or leak, and result in fire. Disconnect the battery and leave it in a safe fireproof location for approximately 30 minutes.
• Always charge a LiPo battery in a fireproof location, which could be a container made of metal (such as an ammunition box), ceramic tile, or a bucket of sand.
Always have a "Class D" fire extinguisher available at all times.
To discharge the Lithium battery you need to keep the following in mind:
1. Always connect the battery's discharge connector to the electronic speed control or discharger.
2. If using an ESC, leave the battery's balancing connector unconnected. It's strongly recommended to use an ESC which is designed to handle the low voltage cutoff points for Lithium batteries. Read the ESC's instructions entirely before use. Do not allow the battery to discharge below 2.5V per cell at any time.
2. If using a discharger, connect the battery's discharge connector to the balancing port on the charger. Do not discharge the battery below 2.5V per cell at any time. Read the discharger's instructions entirely before use. Always discharge in a fireproof location. Monitor the process, and have a lithium approved "class D" fire extinguisher available at all times.
3. Do not discharge this battery at currents exceeding 20C, or 5 amps. Failure to do so can result in the battery overheating and failing. Do not allow a LiPo cell to exceed 140°F (60°C) during discharge.