LiPo Battery Security Ideas for UAS Operators

Understanding the Affect of Excessive Temperatures on LiPo Batteries and Greatest Practices for Secure Utilization

DRONELIFE presents this visitor publish by Douglas Noticed Eagle, Director/Shopper Expertise and Pilot at theLIDARPros and Director of Training Programming at drone coaching and consulting agency Sundance Media Group. Because the temperature rises, this publish is a well timed reminder that LiPo Batteries require particular dealing with in scorching temperatures: and supplies an in depth clarification of how greatest to attenuate danger. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes fee for visitor posts.

by Douglas Noticed Eagle, Director/Shopper Expertise and Pilot at theLIDARPros and Director of Training Programming at Sundance Media Group. 

Sizzling Automobiles & LiPo Batteries: A Swell Combine or an Epic Fail?

LiPo batteries, often known as lithium polymer batteries, are a well-liked and customary alternative for powering Unmanned Plane Programs (UAS) as a result of they’re light-weight and have a excessive vitality density. These batteries can discharge at excessive charges, which is critical for UAS functions, making them a vital element for each hobbyists {and professional} operators.

Nevertheless, it’s essential to grasp the significance of security when coping with LiPo batteries, particularly in scorching climate or throughout transportation in automobiles. LiPo batteries are delicate to adjustments in temperature, which may pose potential dangers that have to be managed correctly to make sure each security and efficiency.

On this article, we’ll focus on the affect of scorching climate on LiPo batteries and supply suggestions for his or her protected utilization. It’s essential to know how temperature can have an effect on the general efficiency and lifespan of those energy sources. By prioritizing security measures and utilizing right dealing with strategies, UAS operators can cut back the dangers related to utilizing LiPo batteries in scorching climate circumstances.

Battery left behind a worktruck, cased however not put in in UAS

Understanding the Affect of Sizzling Climate on LiPo Batteries

LiPo batteries are extremely delicate to temperature, and publicity to scorching climate can have a big affect on their efficiency and general lifespan. Right here’s a better have a look at how excessive temperatures can have an effect on LiPo batteries:

1. Decreased Capability: Excessive temperatures may cause a discount within the complete vitality capability of LiPo batteries. Which means that the battery won’t be able to carry as a lot cost as it might below regular temperature circumstances. Because of this, the flight time of unmanned plane programs (UAS) powered by LiPo batteries could also be considerably decreased.
2. Elevated Inner Resistance: Warmth can improve the inner resistance of LiPo batteries, which results in a lower of their energy output. The elevated resistance ends in voltage drops and decreased effectivity throughout discharge. This could negatively affect the efficiency of UAS, inflicting them to lose energy and agility throughout flight.
3. Accelerated Getting old: Publicity to excessive temperatures accelerates the getting old means of LiPo batteries. The chemical reactions contained in the battery happen at a quicker price, resulting in elevated degradation of the battery’s elements. Over time, this can lead to a shorter general lifespan for the battery, lowering its effectiveness and requiring extra frequent replacements.
4. Danger of Thermal Runaway: When LiPo batteries are uncovered to extreme warmth, there’s an elevated danger of thermal runaway. Thermal runaway refers to a state of affairs the place the battery experiences an uncontrolled improve in temperature and strain, probably resulting in a fireplace or explosion. This danger is especially excessive when batteries are overcharged or subjected to extended publicity to scorching environments.

To make sure the longevity and optimum efficiency of LiPo batteries, it’s essential to grasp and mitigate the affect of scorching climate circumstances. Within the subsequent part, we’ll delve into greatest practices for dealing with and storing LiPo batteries safely.

The Significance of Correctly Dealing with and Storing LiPo Batteries for Security

LiPo batteries are recognized for being small, light-weight, and highly effective, which is why they’re extensively utilized in varied units reminiscent of drones and remote-controlled automobiles. Nevertheless, it’s essential to do not forget that these batteries may be probably harmful if mishandled or improperly saved.

To make sure the protected use of LiPo batteries, it’s essential to:

1. Deal with with Care

When coping with LiPo batteries, it’s important to deal with them with care to attenuate the chance of harm or accidents. Right here’s what to do:

• Keep away from Bodily Injury: LiPo batteries can simply get broken from impacts or punctures, so all the time retailer and transport them in protecting instances or baggage.
• Join Appropriately: When connecting the batteries for charging or use, be certain to observe the producer’s directions on polarity (optimistic and adverse) to forestall quick circuits.

2. Cost Safely

Correct charging is essential to sustaining the security and longevity of LiPo batteries. Listed here are some ideas for protected charging:

• Use a Balancing Charger: Balancing chargers assist be certain that every cell inside the battery pack is charged evenly, stopping overcharging of particular person cells and lowering the chance of fireside or swelling.
• Monitor the Charging Course of: Regulate the charging course of, particularly throughout scorching climate, to forestall overheating. Think about using chargers with built-in security options like temperature management.

3. Retailer Appropriately

Correct storage is crucial when not utilizing LiPo batteries for an prolonged interval. Comply with these tips for storing LiPo batteries:

• Preserve the Proper Voltage: The beneficial storage voltage for LiPo batteries is round 3.8 volts per cell. Storing them at this voltage helps forestall overdischarge or overcharging throughout lengthy intervals of inactivity.
• Select a Secure Location: Retailer LiPo batteries in a cool, dry place away from flammable supplies. Keep away from maintaining them close to sources of warmth or direct daylight. Some professionals use baggage particularly designed for storing/charging LiPo batteries.

By following these greatest practices for dealing with, charging, and storage, we are able to improve the security and efficiency of LiPo batteries whereas extending their lifespan.

These batteries have been left within the trunk of a patrol automobile. Six batteries have been destroyed inside a couple of weeks of buying the air asset, merely as a consequence of trunk temps exceeding 140 levels.

Greatest Practices for Utilizing LiPo Batteries in UAS Throughout Sizzling Climate Circumstances

When utilizing LiPo batteries in Unmanned Plane Programs (UAS) throughout scorching climate circumstances, it’s essential to observe particular security tips to scale back dangers and make sure the protected operation of LiPo-powered instruments. Listed here are some greatest practices to contemplate:

• Monitor battery temperature.  Excessive temperatures can hurt LiPo batteries, so it’s essential to observe their temperature throughout flight. Many trendy drones have built-in sensors that present real-time temperature knowledge. By maintaining a tally of battery temperature, we are able to take acceptable motion if it begins to rise too excessive.
• Implement thermal safety mechanisms.  To additional defend LiPo batteries throughout scorching climate circumstances, consider using thermal safety mechanisms. Some drones have options like computerized cooling programs or thermal insulation for the battery compartment. These measures may help management the temperature and forestall overheating.
• Keep away from direct daylight publicity.  Direct daylight can rapidly elevate the temperature of LiPo batteries. At any time when attainable, maintain UAS/drone and batteries away from direct daylight, particularly when not in use. This straightforward precaution may help forestall extreme warmth buildup and prolong the lifespan of LiPo batteries.
• Enable cooling intervals between flights.  When planning a number of flights in scorching climate, be certain to permit sufficient time for cooling between every flight. Letting the LiPo batteries quiet down earlier than charging or utilizing them once more will assist keep their efficiency and forestall potential injury from overheating. NEVER cost a scorching battery. It could not essentially puff or self-ignite; the inner injury is irrecoverable and causes untimely lack of vitality, shortening the helpful lifetime of the battery.
• Retailer batteries in a cool atmosphere.  When not in use, retailer LiPo batteries in a cool dry location to attenuate warmth publicity. Hold batteries from direct daylight and keep away from storing them in a scorching automotive or some other location that may turn into excessively heat.

The LiDARPROs staff use cooler baggage designed for decent climate. Don’t use ice nor “blue blocks” that would make direct contact with any battery floor. Our baggage have thick terry towels separating the batteries from the cooling plate. Place batteries right into a cooling bag till it’s time to make use of them. Don’t put a scorching battery/just-used battery right into a cooling bag. Let the battery quiet down previous to storing within the bag. Set the cooler bag to its “warmest” setting. Cooler baggage will not be freezers, and customarily don’t dip under 70 levels (in our experiences). Most of those merchandise provide “15 to twenty levels decrease than ambient temperature.”  We do maintain a small, comparatively correct thermometer within the bag through the scorching months. A few of these merchandise additionally provide warming functionality, for these in very chilly winter environments.

TIP: Our staff lays batteries out with their “stomach down” to point the battery is charged and prepared for operations. A battery positioned on its again signifies a “stomach up” battery, which has been expended. We additionally divide them within the storage containers in the identical method.

By following these greatest practices, pilots can considerably cut back the dangers of utilizing LiPo batteries in scorching climate circumstances:

• Monitor battery temperature
• Implement thermal safety mechanisms
• Keep away from direct daylight publicity
• Enable cooling intervals between flights
• Retailer batteries in a cool atmosphere

These steps are important for guaranteeing the protected and optimum efficiency of the plane. Bear in mind, security ought to all the time be a prime precedence when utilizing LiPo batteries in UAS. Taking these precautions is not going to solely defend costly gear but additionally contribute to the longevity of batteries and general flight expertise.

Do Not Retailer Batteries within the UAS

Storing batteries put in within the UAS could be very tempting. Nevertheless, ought to a battery start to puff, it might effectively “lock” itself into the battery housing of the plane, probably damaging inside elements of the UAS. We’ve seen at the least one UAS platform destroyed via storing a battery within the battery compartment of the UAS>

This battery destroyed the UAS by which it was saved. Storing batteries contained in the plane is handy, however not beneficial. The battery cracked/broke a system board and the battery rail.

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It is very important keep in mind the dangers of leaving LiPo batteries in scorching automobiles and the significance of accountable battery administration. By following correct security tips, we are able to forestall accidents and make sure the longevity of our batteries, stopping errors, disappointments, and failed flights.

We additionally encourage readers to share experiences with utilizing LiPo batteries in drones throughout scorching climate circumstances. Collectively, we are able to study from one another and create a safer atmosphere for everybody concerned.

Douglas Noticed Eagle is the Founder and Director of Instructional Programming at Sundance Media Group.  SMG serves as a advisor inside the sUAS business, providing coaching and talking engagements on sUAS subjects: UAV cinematography, business and infrastructural sUAS functions, sUAS danger administration, evening UAV flight, aerial safety programs, and 107 coaching.  He’s additionally the Director/Shopper Expertise and Pilot at theLIDARPros, offering deep expertise, services and products in LiDAR and photogrammetry.