Before Charging
All Maxpoly packs are checked for cell voltage and balance prior to dispatch. However, please check the voltages of the individual cells before charging the pack for the first time to ensure there are no dead cells and that the voltages are loosely balanced.
Charging and Balancing
1. Use only a charger approved for use with Lithium Batteries. Lithium batteries must be charged very differently than NiCad or NiMH and require a special charger specifically designed to charge them. In general any charger that can charge lithium-ion can charge lithium-polymer, assuming that the cell count is correct. You must NEVER charge lithium cells with a NiCad or NiMH only battery charger. PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE when charging lithium batteries.
2. Balancing. We recommend that you use a balancer to balance the Maxpoly lithium packs at least every 10-15 flights, as this will keep the cells in sink with each other, and prolong the life of the battery. If you are using the packs at close to the C rating then we recommend balancing every 2-3 flights.
3. Charger Settings. Before charging commences please make certain that the correct cell count and charge voltage is set on your charger and that the current to set to charge at 5C or below. Our new range of packs are all capable of being charged at 5C although we recommend 2-3C if you time is not an issue as it increases pack life.
4. Supervision. NEVER leave the batteries unattended whilst charging and always monitor the whole charging cycle of the pack.
5. Location. Place the pack on a non-flammable surface for charging so that no damage will occur should there be a fire. Vented fire safes, Pyrex dishes with sand in the bottom, fireplaces, plant pots, are all good options. Charge your batteries in an open, well-ventilated area and keep a bucket of sand or earth nearby when you are flying or charging batteries in the event you need to extinguish a battery fire.
6. First Charge.
Usage
7. First Flights. Accordingly, the first few flights should be flown at low throttle settings and your packs checked for temperature with your individual motor and speed controller setups. We highly recommended you verify your power train and battery setups with a good quality e-meter to ascertain the current draw from the pack is within limits.
8. Current Rating. Maxpoly batteries are rated at 25C (50C burst) for the Super Series and 35C (70C burst) for the Ultimate Series. Do not exceed this or you massively shorten the life of the pack as well as risk overheating and battery fire.
9. Crashing. If you crash your model your Maxpoly lithium pack may be damaged. Check very carefully for damage and even though the cells may look fine, remove the battery pack from the model and watch it carefully for at least the next 20 minutes for any signs of swelling or fire.
10. Never over-discharge the battery. Do NOT let the pack’s voltage drop below 3.0v per cell ie for a 3 cell pack below 9.0v Speed Controllers (ESC’s) with dedicated Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC’s) are highly recommended and it is recommended that you use a timer when flying your model.
Storage
11. If you fly regularly and have up to a couple of weeks between flights, you can store your packs fully charged without damage. The self-discharge is negligible. If you store them for longer we recommend storage at about half of fully charged. This helps prevent oxidisation inside the pack. Oxidisation increases the internal resistance which leads to poor overall performance.
12. Packs can be stored safely in cold environments ie garages or sheds in winter but beware performance is degraded in cold temperatures. Also battery capacity is dependant upon temperature. Do not therefore charge the battery in a warm environment and fly in a cold one as the pack will ‘puff up’ due to being ‘over-charged’. Charge the pack at ambient outside air temperature.
If you have any questions please get in touch at sales@maxpoly.co.uk
