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Home › Course › Lesson 6: LiPo Batteries
1. Welcome to the Hobby2. Safety & Rules3. Types of RC Planes4. Buyer's Guide5. Simulators6. LiPo Batteries7. Your Transmitter8. Flying Skills9. Airspace & B4UFLY10. Weather11. Finding a Club12. Maintenance
Lesson 6 of 12

LiPo Batteries — Handling Them Right

Great technology that needs to be treated with respect.

What Is a LiPo Battery?

LiPo stands for Lithium Polymer. LiPos pack a lot of energy into a very light package — exactly what you want in an airplane. That energy density also means they need to be handled differently than the batteries you grew up with. Handle them correctly and you'll have no problems.

Understanding the Numbers

Cell Count (S)

1S = 3.7V, 2S = 7.4V, 3S = 11.1V. Your airplane's manual specifies exactly what it needs.

Capacity (mAh)

How much energy the battery holds. Higher mAh = longer flight but more weight.

C Rating

How fast it can safely discharge. Match to your airplane's power requirements.

Balance Connector

The small multi-pin connector. Always charge through this — it monitors individual cell voltages.

LiPo Cell Count & Voltage 1S 3.7V nominal + 2S 7.4V nominal + 3S 11.1V nominal Each cell = 3.7V nominal · 4.2V fully charged · 3.8V storage · 3.5V minimum Always match cell count exactly to your airplane's requirements
More cells = higher voltage = more power. Always match cell count exactly to your airplane's requirements.

Charging Safely

  • Use a LiPo-specific balance charger. The USB charger in some RTF boxes works but a proper charger is safer and better for longevity.
  • Always use the balance port. Monitors individual cells and keeps them equal.
  • Never leave a charging LiPo unattended.
  • Charge at 1C. For a 2000mAh pack, that's 2A. Slower is gentler on cells.
  • Never charge a swollen battery. Dispose of it safely (see below).
  • Use a LiPo charging bag (~$10) or a steel ammo can. Both contain any thermal event. An ammo can is a great option if you want extra peace of mind — and it reassures anyone else in the house about the charging process.
Charge on a non-flammable surface. Concrete floor or metal tray. Never on carpet or on a couch.

Storage Voltage

LiPos should never be stored fully charged or fully discharged. Storage voltage is approximately 3.8V per cell — most balance chargers have a "Storage" mode that brings them there automatically. If you won't fly for a week or more, put your batteries in storage mode. This is one of the most commonly skipped steps by beginners, and it's the single biggest reason first battery packs wear out prematurely. A battery left fully charged for a month loses noticeable capacity — sometimes permanently.

Safe Disposal

  1. Fully discharge outdoors by running the airplane until low-voltage cutoff triggers.
  2. Submerge in saltwater (1/4 cup salt per quart) for 24+ hours.
  3. After soaking, safe to dispose in trash or take to battery recycling.
LiPo rules in one sentence: Balance charger, never unattended, storage voltage, don't over-discharge, use a charging bag.

What's Next

Lesson 7 covers your transmitter — what every stick, knob, and switch does, and the critical control direction check.

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