IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

YOU MUST READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS BEFORE CHARGING OR USING YOUR BATTERIES. BY PURCHASING THIS BATTERY, IT IS ASSUMED THAT YOU HAVE AGREED TO THESE TERMS.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, PLEASE RETURN THE BATTERY BEFORE USING IT.

Lithium-Polymer batteries represent a large leap in the progress of electric flight and can transform the performance of most models. However, they may represent unfamiliar safety hazards if you fail to use them correctly. It may be useful to consider the use of these batteries in the same way that you would treat fuel for your glow engine or petrol for your car – used correctly, it is quite safe, but ignore the safety precautions at your own peril!

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1 – Use a specific Lithium-Polymer battery charger ONLY. Nicad, NiMH or any other type of charger MUST NOT be used!

2 – Do not charge batteries unattended.  You should continue to monitor the battery during the charge process and be prepared to stop charging if any problems arise.

3 – There are a few ‘Li-Poly’ chargers on the market which may have technical deficiencies – it is your own responsibility to ensure that the charger which you bought works correctly. The charging process must be continually monitored.

4 – If you notice anything untoward happening to the battery pack during charging, the charging process must be stopped immediately, the battery disconnected and put in a safe place away from all flammable materials for at least 30 minutes. Unusual signs during charging include excessive heating, odd smells, smoking, ballooning or swelling of the battery pack.  A safe place would normally be outside, away from any vehicle or dwelling place.

5 – A short circuit may cause a fire!  Short-circuiting, even momentarily, of the battery pack leads may cause damage to the pack or, even, a fire. Every precaution possible should be taken to avoid a short-circuit, but if one does accidentally occur, then the battery should be removed to a safe place for at least 30 minutes. Use extreme caution, delayed chemical reactions may occur.

6 – In the event that your model should crash, with the battery in it, then the battery must be removed from the model, placed somewhere safe and observed for at least 30 minutes.  Use extreme caution if driving home from the flying field following a crash!

7 – When fitting the connector to the leads, work with only one lead at a time until the connector is fitted and insulated – do everything possible to avoid a short.

8 – Extreme battery temperatures may cause ignition – keep the batteries in a cool place at all times.

9 – It is strongly recommended that the batteries be placed in a fireproof container for charging and storage. A small metal box is ideal, but should not be made airtight. Other solutions may come to mind, but do ensure that all materials are non-combustible.

10 – It is recommended that a small fire extinguisher or bucket of sand be kept close to where the batteries are being charged.

CHARGING

1 – Never charge batteries unattended.

2 – Allow battery to cool to ambient temperature before commencing charging.

3 – Do not charge battery packs in series – charge each one separately.

4 – Cell count selection on your charger is VITAL when charging. Please check and double-check that you have the charger set for the correct number of SERIES cells in your battery pack before you connect the battery.  Do not get confused between the number of series cells and the TOTAL number of cells in the pack! i.e  a 3S2P pack comprises 6 cells in TOTAL but must be charged as 3 cells in series (the 3S part of the designation)

5 – If you start charging a pack with the charger not set for the correct cell count, a fire could result.

6 – You should check pack voltage prior to charging. Do not attempt to charge any pack whose voltage per series cell is lower than 3.3 Volts.  i.e.  a 3S2P pack should read at least 6.6 Volts.

7 – Do not charge at a rate greater than the capacity of the pack (1C) Charging at higher rates may cause cell damage or a fire.

e.g.   730mAh pack – charge at 730mA maximum
         860mAh pack – charge at 860mA maximum
             1200mAh pack – charge at 1.2 Amps maximum
               1320mAh pack – charge at 1.32 Amps maximum
             1900mAh pack – charge at 1.9 Amps maximum
               2100mAh pack – charge at 2.1 Amps maximum
               2400mAh pack – charge at 2.4 Amps maximum
               7800mAh pack – charge at 7.8 Amps maximum
           8000mAh pack – charge at 8 Amps maximum

8 -  Do not permit voltage during charge to exceed 4.25 Volts per Series cell under any circumstances. i.e. a 3S2P pack should not be allowed to exceed 12.75 Volts

FIRST USE

Lipo batteries are supplied partly charged.  It is advised that they are not charged before first use – simply fly them for about 5 minutes and then check battery temperature is back to ambient before flying them again.  As soon as power begins to fade, land the model and charge the battery. It is NOT advised to carry extended ground runs of any power system – check the current draw briefly if required and then go fly the model!

STORAGE

Store batteries at room temperature between 40 and 80 degrees F.

Do not expose battery pack to direct sunlight and heat for extended periods

Ensure that batteries being carried in a vehicle are kept cool

Batteries are best stored with a 50% charge

BATTERY CARE AND USE

1 – Use a good quality charger which has a specific setting for Lithium-Polymer batteries

2 – Ensure charge voltage and current are correctly set

3 – Deep discharge of the battery may cause irreversible damage – do not discharge below 3 Volts per cell.

4 – Avoid puncturing the cells – this may cause a fire.  Any cells which are inadvertently punctured should be correctly disposed of.

5 – Do not charge the battery pack whilst still in the model – remove it from the model and place it in a safe area for charging

6 – Allow battery to cool to ambient temperature before charging.

7 – If flying in cold conditions, the battery will perform better if kept slightly warm (approximately body heat)

8 – Always ensure that the battery is fully disconnected from the model after use – some electronics circuits always draw a small amount of current and this will ruin your Li-Poly battery if not disconnected.

9 – Always handle batteries carefully – do not allow them to suffer damage by mistreatment.

BATTERY LIFE

Batteries that have lost more than 20% of their initial capacity should be removed from service and correctly disposed of.

Discharge battery to 3 Volts per cell, insulate output wires to avoid shorts, wrap battery in a bag and take it to your local domestic waste disposal facility.

WARRANTY

Product warranty is strictly limited to original defects in material or workmanship. Warranty does not cover collateral damage, howsoever caused.  Due to the nature of use of these batteries, there is no term warranty. Misuse, abuse, incorrect charging or other inappropriate use of these batteries is not covered by warranty.