| Lithium Polymer Batteries is the favorite | | | | each charge and would also result in a |
| power source of electric radio-controlled | | | | diminished performance of the battery pack. |
| models. They are relatively cheap, light, and | | | | |
| hold lots of power. However, many new | | | | A balance charger eliminates any |
| hobbyists may have some enquiries as to their | | | | unbalanced-cells symptoms of a battery pack |
| operations. | | | | by charging each cell individually; making |
| | | | sure that the cell's voltage remain balanced |
| Here are three frequently asked questions | | | | at the end of each charge. In essence, |
| about them. | | | | balance charger lengthen the life of the |
| | | | battery back and maximizes its performance as |
| 1. What is Cell Balancing? | | | | well as keep the pack stable and safe to |
| | | | operate. |
| Lithium Polymer batteries usually come | | | | |
| packaged as a pack of more than two | | | | 2. What is C rating? |
| individual battery cells. For example, | | | | |
| electric RC helicopters use 3-cell packs. | | | | A lot of radio-control fliers quickly grasp |
| Each of these battery cells has a nominal | | | | the meaning of most of the battery-associated |
| voltage of 3.7v; which means that each cell | | | | acronyms but one: the C rating. In fact, many |
| can operate when it maintains its charge | | | | experts have tripped over themselves trying |
| between 3.0 to 4.2v. To go above or below or | | | | to explain it. However, I've heard a |
| below this range can damage the cell and | | | | graspable explanation of it from an old |
| render it useless, or worse, become | | | | Chinese battery manufacturer/expert very |
| dangerously unstable and explode. | | | | recently. Which is: The "C Rating" is the |
| | | | number which you multiply to the capacity of |
| While the battery is in usage, the power | | | | the battery to get its discharge rate. |
| drawn out of each cell is not equal. | | | | |
| Therefore, at the end of each flight, the | | | | Still confused? Basically, a 1000 mAh battery |
| cells in the battery will be left out of | | | | rated at 1C will provide 1000 mA of power for |
| balance. A non-balancing charger will stop | | | | 1 hour. On the other hand, if the same pack |
| charging the battery pack once the voltage of | | | | was rated at 2C, it would provide 2000 mA of |
| the overall pack is full without paying any | | | | power for 30 minutes. |
| attention to each cell. This causes the | | | | |
| battery to be more and more unbalanced with | | | | 3. How fast can I charge a pack? |