immediately.
Carefully inspect Lipo batteries which have been involved in a crash for even the smallest of cracks,
splits, punctures or damage to the wiring and connectors.
Disposal of Lipo batteries
Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, Lithium-polymer batteries are environmentally friendly. For safety reasons, it's best
that Lipo cells be fully discharged before disposal (however, if physically damaged it is not recommended
to discharge Lipo cells before disposal). The batteries must also be cool before proceeding with disposal
instructions. To dispose of Lipo cells and packs:
> If any Lipo cell in the pack has been physically damaged, resulting in a swollen cell or a split or tear in a
cell's foil covering, do not discharge the battery.
> Place the Lipo battery in a fireproof container or bucket of sand.
> Connect the battery to a Lipo discharger. Set the discharge cutoff voltage to the lowest possible value.
Set the discharge current to a C/10 value, with "C" being the capacity rating of the pack.
> Discharge the battery until its voltage reaches 1.0V per cell or lower. For resistive load type dischargers,
discharge the battery for up to 24 hours.
> Submerse the battery into bucket or tub of salt water. This container should have a lid, but it does not
need to be air-tight. Perhaps a bucket or tub containing 3 to 5 gallons of cold water, and mix in 1/2 cup of
salt per gallon of water. Drop the battery into the salt water. All the battery to remain in the tub of salt
water for at least 2 weeks.
> Remove the Lipo battery from the salt water and place it in the normal trash.
Terminology
Electronic speed controller (ESC)
An electronic circuit with the purpose to vary an electric motor's speed, its direction and possibly also to
act as a dynamic brake. ESCs are often used on electrically-powered radio controlled models.
An ESC can be a stand-alone unit which plugs into the receiver's throttle control channel or incorporated
into the receiver itself, as is the case in most toy-grade R/C vehicles. Some R/C manufacturers that install
proprietary hobby-grade electronics in their entry-level vehicles, vessels or aircraft use onboard electronics
that combine the two on a single circuit board.
Brushless DC motors (BLDC motors, BL motors)
Also known as (ECMs, EC motors) are synchronous electric motorselectronically commutated motors
powered by direct-current (DC) electricity and having electronic commutation systems, rather than
mechanical commutators and brushes. The current-to-torque and voltage-to-speed relationships of BLDC
motors are linear.
BLDC motors may be described as stepper motors, with fixed permanent magnets and possibly more
poles on the rotor than the stator, or reluctance motors. The latter may be without permanent magnets,
just poles that are induced on the rotor then pulled into alignment by timed stator windings. However, the
term stepper motor tends to be used for motors that are designed specifically to be operated in a mode
where they are frequently stopped with the rotor in a defined angular position.
RC servos
Servos are hobbyist remote control devices typically employed in radio-controlled models, where they are
used to provide actuation for various mechanical systems such as the steering of a car, the control surfaces
on a plane, or the rudder of a boat.
Due to their affordability, reliability, and simplicity of control by microprocessors, RC servos are often used
in small-scale robotics applications.
RC servos are composed of an electric motor mechanically linked to a potentiometer. A standard RC
receiver sends Pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals to the servo. The electronics inside the servo
4
contact with the eyes, flush with large amounts of water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention