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LITHIUM-POLYMER
BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT!! Great care should be observed when
handling lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries as they
are entirely di erent than NiCd or NiMH batteries!!
Read all included instructions to ensure the proper operation,
and avoid all possible causes of failure!
These batteries are intended for use with radio controlled models
only. R/C applications vary too greatly to cover every possible use
in these instructions. The user must accept the responsibility to
make smart and safe decisions about their desired application to
avoid possible abuse and misuse. Non-R/C uses are not intended
nor approved.
By purchasing this product you agree that you have read and
understood the safety precautions printed here and on each
product, and agree to bear full responsibility for any injury, loss
or damage resulting from all circumstances surrounding your use
or misuse of this product. You agree not to hold TrakPower, its
distributors (owners and employees) and/or retailers responsible
for any accidents, injury to persons, or property damage. You
accept the responsibility for inspecting and detecting any signs
of damage or defect before and after use and prior to charging
and to discontinue use immediately if any such issue arises. If you
do not agree to these terms of use, return the item in its original
condition to the place of purchase.
CAPACITY: A way to rate a battery’s maximum energy storage limit,
typically listed in “mAh” (milliamp-hours) and being the amount
of energy the battery can deliver constantly over a period of one
hour. Capacity rating is typically a way to gauge how much run
time a battery can provide. The greater the rated capacity, the
longer the run time.
C-RATING: A multiple of the battery’s capacity rating, calculated
as the battery’s rated milliamp-hours (mAh) divided by 1000.
C-ratings are used to establish various limits for a LiPo battery,
such as a battery’s maximum charge and discharge current values.
A battery rated at 2100mAh (1C = 2.1A) with a maximum charge
rating of 3C could be charged at (2.1A x 3) 6.3 amps. A battery rated
at 3200mAh with a maximum discharge rating of “25C” should be
able to deliver (3.2A x 25) 80 amps of current during discharge.
11.1V 5000 mAh
7. 4 V 5000 mAh
Series Connection:
Example total = 18.5V 5000 mAh
POTENTIAL HAZARDS
When Handling LiPo Batteries
LiPo batteries can be damaged and CATCH FIRE
if overcharged, shorted, damaged physically, or
over-discharged!
■ Over-charging, using an incompatible charger, or charging
a battery that was previously damaged either physically or
electrically can result in a catastrophic failure of the battery in
the form of swelling, emission of smoke, and FIRE.
■ Over-discharging a LiPo (to a voltage lower than its rated
minimum voltage) can damage a LiPo internally – even without
the damage being visible in any way. Yet, a catastrophic failure
(FIRE) could occur when attempting to re-charge the battery later.
■ LiPo failures are often a result of human error. Reading and
understanding these instructions is CRUCIAL for avoiding
problems, and to ensure personal safety and the protection
of the surroundings.
Glossary – Understanding Terms
PACK: Multiple battery cells connected together electronically
form a pack.
VOLTAGE: A way to rate a battery’s energy potential. Individual
LiPo cells have a nominal voltage rating of 3.70V per cell, with a
maximum charge voltage of 4.20V per cell. A pack marked “11.1V”
has a nominal voltage rating of 11.1V, etc. The more cells wired in
series, the higher the voltage. See page 2 for a listing of di erent
size LiPo packs and voltages.
SERIES PACK CONFIGURATIONS “S”: Electrically connecting
multiple cells end-to-end places cells in “series”, with the resulting
total pack voltage being the SUM of all cell voltages. Connecting
packs in series is usually done to deliver more power (torque and/
or speed) to the motor. A 3-series LiPo pack (3S) would have a
total nominal voltage of (3 x 3.7V) 11.1V. A 4S pack has a total
nominal pack voltage of (4 x 3.7V) 14.8V, etc. Connecting an
11.1V battery in series with a 7.4V battery will result in an overall
voltage of 18.5V. Do not connect multiple packs together in series
unless each has the same rated capacity (regardless of the rated
voltage of each pack).
14.8V 5600 mAh
14.8V 5600 mAh
PARALLEL PACK CONFIGURATIONS “P”: Electrically connecting
multiple cells side-by-side places cells in “parallel”, with the resulting
total pack voltage being identical to the rated voltage of each
individual battery (not the sum of all battery voltages). However,
the resulting total CAPACITY is the sum of all battery capacities.
Connecting two 14.8V 5600mAh packs in parallel would result in
a total voltage of 14.8V (same as each pack), but the total capacity
would be 11200mAh (total of both pack capacities). Connecting
packs in parallel is usually done to lengthen the run-time of the
model. Do not connect packs of di erent voltage ratings together
in parallel.
Parallel Connection:
Example total = 14.8V 11200mAh
Charging LiPo Batteries
WARNING!! Charging LiPo batteries poses a risk of
FIRE! NEVER treat LiPo batteries in the same manner
as other battery types. Misuse and overcharge can
quickly result in LiPo cells swelling and/or getting hot which could
lead to VIOLENT EXPLOSION, FIRE, PERSONAL INJURY, AND/OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE! NEVER leave lithium batteries unattended
while being charged! It’s strongly recommended to have a Class
“D” re extinguisher nearby when charging a LiPo battery. Do
NOT use water or re extinguishers other than a “class D” to put
out a burning LiPo battery. Failure to follow all care and handling
instructions properly could result in quick, severe, permanent
damage to the batteries and all surroundings!! ALWAYS make
sure batteries are physically and electrically undamaged before
charge or discharge.
1. IMPORTANT! Choose an isolated, reproof area to charge
the battery. NEVER place the charger or battery on or near
flammable or combustible objects during the charge
process. Keep away from carpets, wood, paper, plastic,
cluttered workbenches, etc. Do NOT charge batteries in
the model, nor inside an automobile. Placing batteries
inside an army surplus ammunition can, ceramic ower
pot, or on a large concrete surface is recommended.
2. Use a LiPo compatible
charger that includes
balancing capabilities,
or use a LiPo compatible
charger in conjunction
with a separate LiPo
balancer. NEVER use a
NiCd or NiMH charger on
LiPo batteries!
Battery
* Recommended, based on 4.2 V per cell
2S
3S
4S
5S
6S
Nominal
Volt age
7.4 V
11.1 V
14. 8 V
18. 5 V
22.2 V
3. Set the charger’s output voltage to EXACTLY match the nominal
rated voltage shown on the battery label.
4. Depending on the charger, set the charger’s charge current or
pack capacity to the appropriate level:
a. Some chargers require the setting of the actual charge
current. It’s recommended to charge TrakPower batteries at
the 1C level as shown below. WARNING: Make sure to
heed all warnings listed in these instructions if charging
at currents greater than 1C.
b. Instead of entering the
actual charge current
value, some chargers
require entering the
rated capacity of the
battery pack to be
charged into the
Rated
Capacity1CCharge Current
5000 mAh
5600 mAh
5800 mAh
6200 mAh
charger’s programming,
whereby the charger will then automatically set the charge
current value.
WARNING!! NEVER enter a capacity or voltage value
into the charger that is higher than the value speci ed
for the battery! Failure to follow this warning can cause
permanent damage to the battery, charger, and the surroundings
as a result of FIRE, and cause personal injury!!!
5. If possible, as another extra safety measure, use a charger that
also includes a temperature monitoring function that can stop
charge if the battery exceeds a speci ed temperature. Set the
charger’s maximum temperature to 115°F (46°C).
*Maximum
Charge
Volt age
8.4 V
12.6 V
16. 8 V
21.0 V
25.2 V
5.0 amps
5.6 amps
5.8 amps
6.2 amps
6. Connect the battery’s main lead and balancing lead to the
charger as described in the charger’s instructions. ALWAYS
connect a charge adapter lead to the charger BEFORE
connecting the battery to the charger.
7. Di erent battery types require di erent balance adapters.
Failure to choose the proper balancing adapter could result
in improperly charged and improperly balanced packs. Please
see the diagrams below for information regarding di erent
con gurations and types.
TrakPower o ers a variety of charge leads and adapters:
TKPP5605 Battery Lead Star Female/5mm Bullet
TKPP5606 Battery/Balance Lead Star Female/5mm Bullet
TKPP5607 XH-XH Balance Adapter 4S LiPo
TKPP5610 2S Balance Lead Star TrakPower Adapter
TKPP5612 4S Balance Lead Star TrakPower Adapter
TKPP5614 6S Balance Lead Star TrakPower Adapter
TKPP5618 Balance Lead Banana to 4mm Bullet
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A 3.7V Hardwired LiPo Pack
Power wires
3.7V Packs: These style packs do not need to be balanced. The
power wires are used for charging and discharging.
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B 7.4V Unwired LiPo Pack
7. 4 V
Connect 4mm adapter
with RED wire
Connect 2mm adapter
Connect 4mm adapter
with BLACK wire
+
-
0.0V
Packs with 4mm Female Bullets: Connect the battery’s
positive (+) terminal to the red lead from the balance adapter,
and the battery’s negative (-) terminal to the black lead from
the balance adapter. Connect the adapter’s smaller 2mm male
pin to the small jack in the center of the battery as shown.
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C 7.4V LiPo Saddle Pack
-
) 0.0V
3.7V
+
Connect
4mm adapter
with RED wire
Connect modules as
shown with jumper wire
Saddle Packs: A 7.4V saddle pack actually consists of two 3.7V
modules that must be connected in series as shown. Connect
the negative (-) terminal from one module to the positive (+)
terminal of the second module using the included jumper
lead. This connection will then transform the two 3.7V modules
0.0V
-
Connect
4mm adapter
with BLACK wire
3.7V (+)(
Connect 2mm
adapter
2
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