| Lithium Polymer, also known as Li-Po represents a | | | | There are two ways to figure out the voltage of a |
| benchmark in battery technology that makes them | | | | battery pack. The first method is to take the number |
| lighter, smaller, but at the same time more powerful. | | | | of cells in the pack and multiply it by the voltage of |
| Their power to weight ratio increased significantly from | | | | each cell. The second and more convenient method is |
| their predecessors. This battery technology took | | | | to look at the packaging which will specify the total |
| leading roles in propelling electric RC helicopters to its | | | | voltage right off the bat.mAh: |
| current fame. Nevertheless, you will run into Li-Po | | | | This stands for Milliamp Hours, which is essentially a |
| batteries in every aspects of RC. | | | | unit used in measuring electrical power over time. |
| As with all performance materials, proper handling of | | | | Perhaps the best way to understand mAh is to simply |
| Li-Po batteries is required in order to make sure that | | | | think that the higher the mAh, the longer the battery |
| they last as long as possible and remain powerful. | | | | can power a device. Also, devices that require more |
| Because of this, it is vital to understand the acronyms | | | | power will require batteries with more mAh ratings. For |
| that are associated with it. Though they seem | | | | example, a battery pack rated at 2200 mAh can |
| confusing, once you get a grip on understanding them, | | | | power a device that draws 100 milliamps (mA) for 22 |
| Li-Po batteries are not complicated at all. This article | | | | hours. |
| aims to provide you with meanings of those little letters | | | | Capacity Rate (C): |
| and descriptions that come on the battery packages. | | | | The C-Rate is the measurement of the charge and |
| Number of Cells (S): | | | | discharge current of a battery. The best way to |
| This represents the number of individual battery packs. | | | | understand this rating is to take in account that most |
| Often times, the number of cells are replaced with the | | | | batteries are rated at 1C. At this rate, a 1000 mAh |
| letter (S). For example, a battery pack labeled with 4S | | | | battery would provide 1000 mA of power for one |
| means that the battery pack contains 4 cells. | | | | hour. However, if the very same battery is rated at |
| Generally, the more the number of cells, the more | | | | .5C, then the battery would provide 500 mA of power |
| powerful and the longer lasting the battery pack will be. | | | | for two hours. On the flipside, if the same battery is |
| Also, knowing the number of cells is extremely vital | | | | rated at 2C, it would prvide 2000 mA of power for 30 |
| when charging the battery as the correct number of | | | | minutes. |
| cell must be correctly selected on all types of | | | | The information above is basically all you need to |
| chargers. | | | | properly understand the label on a Li-Po battery. Now, |
| Battery Voltage (V): | | | | when you see something like - 3 S, 11.1 volt, 2200 mAh, |
| This is the total electrical potential of the battery pack. | | | | 12 C - you'll know exactly what they mean. |