Tip #1: Wait at least 15-20 minutes after you drain a battery to charge it.
This allows the battery to cool down before each charge cycle. I would make sure the battery is cool to the touch before charging it again, but 15 minutes should be alright.
Pointer #1: If the battery is hot after use, then it is a good sign that your battery is getting old.
Anything warmer than about 140 degrees is dangerous; if your battery is this warm after flying, it's time to replace it. I wouldn't use it anymore so it doesn't explode. This is a good indication that in the near future you should look to getting a new one. I would recommend a higher quality / mAh battery (keep the same voltage, though) if the battery running out is a stock battery.
Tip # 2: Wait at least 15 minutes after charging a battery to use it.
Once again, this is to let the battery's chemical processes have a break.
Pointer #2: Battery terms to understand when buying a RC battery.
mAh: Milli Ampere Hour. This is basically the electric charge transferred by a current of one milliampere for one hour. I'm no electrical genius, but the higher the mAh, the longer a battery will last per charge. This is the one part of a battery that you can change without damaging the heli.
Volt: The electrical pressure. Basically this determines how much power can flow to the motor. For lipo batteries the voltage comes in multiples of 3.7 volts, or 3.7 volts per cell.
Cell: An independent 3.7 volt battery.
If you would like a little more in-depth explanation, I found this
howstuffworks article helpful.
Litium-Ion (Li-Ion): a type of battery that has a rigid cell structure and shape. It is safer than a lipo battery, but not as efficient.
Lithium-Polymer (Lipo): a type of battery with a flexible cell structure and shape. Lipos can catch fire and explode if mistreated or dropped on a hard surface. BE CAREFUL! Although more dangerous, they are more efficient than li-ion batteries and can come in practically any shape with the same cell count.
Look below to see how the li-ion (on the right) has two defined cylindrical shapes in the package, whereas the lipo to the left is just a rectangle with no visible curvature or cells.
Had to buy an new charger in April 2012. My original one broke and bought an iGo charger. Battery not charging completely. Was told to drain the battery and recharge it to FULL. Unable to drain completely. Netbook will shut down when not enough juice. How to drain?
×