Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club Forum

Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club (TEMAC) => General Discussion => Topic started by: Frank v B on October 09, 2018, 09:22:06 PM

Title: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: Frank v B on October 09, 2018, 09:22:06 PM
Could someone please post an idiot's guide on "How to store lipo's for winter"... in plain english with words no more difficult than "see Spot run"*.  This is both for new members and old ones like me. ;D

Frank

* that should pretty well eliminate Andy on two counts- he flies in winter and is a walking dictionary.... not containing any simple words. ;) ;) 8)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: mawz on October 09, 2018, 09:36:49 PM
Discharge to storage voltage - 3.8-3.85V per cell. Most chargers will have a discharge setting to do this. Note if they're already discharged beyond that, you may need to charge first.

Store in a secure, contained storage, preferably fireproof. A BatBox or ammo can is good, or in your lipo bags. If using an ammo can, do make sure it's not airtight. Don't store near flammable items (especially not that half a jug of glow fuel that's been sitting since you discovered the joy of Lipo's)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: bweaver on October 09, 2018, 11:15:38 PM
The article I always refer to found at https://www.rchelicopterfun.com/lipo-batteries.html, is the most informative I have read on the subject of 'lipos do's and don'ts', including guidance on storage and charging practices. 

I think it is a must read, even you could understand @Frank v B . (Because I can - I think)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: Andy Hoffer on October 10, 2018, 08:59:50 AM
Quote from: bweaver on October 09, 2018, 11:15:38 PM
The article I always refer to found at https://www.rchelicopterfun.com/lipo-batteries.html, is the most informative I have read on the subject of 'lipos do's and don'ts', including guidance on storage and charging practices. 

I think it is a must read, even you could understand @Frank v B . (Because I can - I think)

Excellent article @bweaver .  But I do fear for the impact on @Frank v B due to all the multi-syllable words.  8)

ANdy
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: bweaver on October 10, 2018, 09:14:01 AM
Re: Excellent article @bweaver .  But I do fear for the impact on @Frank v B due to all the multi-syllable words.  8)

ANdy


There are pictures in the article too.  ;D
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: Andy Hoffer on October 10, 2018, 11:31:58 AM
Quote from: bweaver on October 10, 2018, 09:14:01 AM
Re: Excellent article @bweaver .  But I do fear for the impact on @Frank v B due to all the multi-syllable words.  8)

ANdy


There are pictures in the article too.  ;D


Whew!!  Thanks @bweaver . I feel much better now!!  I'm sure @Frank v B  will too!!  8)

Andy
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: AlexShao on October 10, 2018, 02:31:57 PM
Usually, I use the storage mode to charge all the LiPo batteries every month.
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: MarcV on October 10, 2018, 10:39:26 PM
As I understand it, the lower the charge level the better for storage.
I've stored my lipos as low as 5 or 10% (3.7V/cell) over the winter.
The disadvantage of that is that if you have a poor quality lipo, it will self discharge to below 0% over the winter and be damaged.
Or if you don't use that lipo the next summer, it will eventually self discharge to below 0%.

I now store my lipos at the 25% level (3.75V/cell) over the winter.
The lipos that I stored over the winter at 25% and don't use during the summer,still have enough charge to make it through the next winter.

How much better it is for the lipo to be stored at the 25% (3.7V/cell) level compared to the 50% level (3.80 to 3.85V/cell) I don't know.

Marc
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: mawz on October 11, 2018, 01:01:43 PM
Quote from: MarcV on October 10, 2018, 10:39:26 PM
As I understand it, the lower the charge level the better for storage.
I've stored my lipos as low as 5 or 10% (3.7V/cell) over the winter.
The disadvantage of that is that if you have a poor quality lipo, it will self discharge to below 0% over the winter and be damaged.
Or if you don't use that lipo the next summer, it will eventually self discharge to below 0%.

I now store my lipos at the 25% level (3.75V/cell) over the winter.
The lipos that I stored over the winter at 25% and don't use during the summer,still have enough charge to make it through the next winter.

How much better it is for the lipo to be stored at the 25% (3.7V/cell) level compared to the 50% level (3.80 to 3.85V/cell) I don't know.

Marc

That's not the case, storing discharged lipo's is just as bad for them as storing fully charged lipos.

You want to as close to 50% charge as possible for a long shelf life. 25% is not terrible for them, but you'll get better results and a longer lifespan at 50%.
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: Frank v B on October 11, 2018, 06:31:04 PM
Hey, @Andy Hoffer,

You can now translate Mawz's simple English instructions into a Websterian masterpiece:

Please translate the following:
Discharge to storage voltage - 3.8-3.85V per cell. Most chargers will have a discharge setting to do this. Note if they're already discharged beyond that, you may need to charge first.

Store in a secure, contained storage, preferably fireproof. A BatBox or ammo can is good, or in your lipo bags. If using an ammo can, do make sure it's not airtight. Don't store near flammable items (especially not that half a jug of glow fuel that's been sitting since you discovered the joy of Lipo's)


Frank ;)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: MarcV on October 16, 2018, 01:29:41 AM
Adam, do you have the source of information for the 50% storage value?

I got my information from Sony's Lithium Ion Rechargeable Batteries Technical Handbook.  I enclose the relevant section that shows that storing a battery at "0% (3.3V)" is slightly superior then at "50% (3.8V)".

This is also backed up by personal correspondence with Walter Van Schalkwijk Ph.D. (who's written a few books on lithium ion batteries) and is a user of my battery analyzers.

Marc
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: mawz on October 16, 2018, 11:46:56 AM
Marc,

Probably the best source is the following paper.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3ed3/04146557a1904030e3365dfe5a90527013d8.pdf

That clearly demonstrates the issues with storage at overly high voltages. Lower voltages really don't increase the risk in terms of damage to the battery itself from storage voltage

The real issue with storing at 25% or lower is the risk of a cell failing from self-discharge to overly low levels. The closer you get to cascading cell failure voltage as a starting point, the higher the risk of losing a cell. That's largely why manufacturers ship at 50% charge, it gives the maximum shelf life for the cells without risking damage from storing with overly high charge.

Realistically, for short-term storage (3-6 months maximum), 25% is just fine. 50% simply gives you the headroom to know the battery can be stored long-term without worries, while being a low enough voltage to not run into the well-documented issues with storing fully charged batteries.

I do store my batteries discharged during the flying season (storing between 20 and 50% charge).

Just to be clear, when I say 'storing fully discharged batteries', I'm talking 5% or less of nominal capacity. At that level you are risking damage from the low state of charge even before storing.
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: bweaver on October 16, 2018, 12:08:09 PM
 ::)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: sihinch on October 16, 2018, 06:26:08 PM
Bruce - not until Thursday!!!
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: cpaine on October 17, 2018, 11:55:51 AM
neat little tip i learned from some ef1 guys at the Nats, once discharged to storage voltage of 3.7v (25-30%?) is to store them in the fridge. im no electrical expert, but the theory is, the cold temps slow down the electrons in the packs... like hibernation so to speak, therefor extending life of the pack....
problem is, they take away room for my beer in my beer fridge!!! ;)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: mawz on October 17, 2018, 12:02:54 PM
Quote from: cpaine on October 17, 2018, 11:55:51 AM
neat little tip i learned from some ef1 guys at the Nats, once discharged to storage voltage of 3.7v (25-30%?) is to store them in the fridge. im no electrical expert, but the theory is, the cold temps slow down the electrons in the packs... like hibernation so to speak, therefor extending life of the pack....
problem is, they take away room for my beer in my beer fridge!!! ;)

The cold has little effect on the electrons.

It does slow down chemical reactions though, so the idea is valid.
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: cpaine on October 17, 2018, 01:02:15 PM
Ah yes.. like i said... im no expert lol :) thank you Maws for clarifying
i did find this article... there is lots out there on the subject.

http://uterc.org/files/LipoStorageTips.pdf
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: bweaver on October 17, 2018, 05:33:55 PM
@cpaine , you are like @Frank v B ,  in that you fail to read and/or follow instructions.   I read the article you referred to in your last post.  No where in the article does it indicate that lipos should take up any space in a 'beer fridge'. (I have extracted the relevant references from the article for your future consideration relating to this important subject matter.)

" Lipos don't want to be frozen solid, but keeping them cool during storage is most certainly in our favor. It turns out the typically household refrigerator (37 to 40 degrees) is the perfect storage place.  Put lipos in plastic zip top storage bags and place them in the fridge when not in use...
Like others, I bought a small "dorm refrigerator" for my shop for storing lipos (after my wife threw me out of our kitchen refrigerator vegetable crisper drawer)."


See, it doesn't reference the 'beer fridge'.  I hope you read this and can take appropriate steps before next summer. Get serious!!! ;D
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: cpaine on October 17, 2018, 06:59:06 PM
Haha good one. Yeah I been hanging around Frank to much!
Lol dorm fridge is the politicaly correct way off saying beer fridge. Mine is top shelf for beer and door and bottom shelf for lipos.
I'm thirsty! Later!   8)
Title: Re: Winter storage- lipos
Post by: Palkina on October 28, 2018, 10:43:49 PM
Joshua Bardwell just posted a video about when to retire a lipo.
He has some valid points we may want to consider in our safe practices managing our batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l43Kx0OxpKI