LiPo Battery Warnings, Safety & Guidelines
In relation to the safe usage of any LiPo (lithium polymer) battery, the below guidelines and information must be read and followed in full to ensure proper use, safety & charging of all lithium polymer based batteries.
* Below instructions must be fully read & understood before use or charging of any Pulse battery, or any battery brand carried via this web store. If any information is not fully understood, contact the supplier where your battery was purchased for further instructions.
* Pulse Battery, HeliDirect, Prestige RC and all distributors who handle Pulse Battery products cannot / will not assume any risk, damage, injury or otherwise in relation to Pulse Battery products. If these terms cannot be agreed upon, please contact your Pulse Battery supplier for an immediate return.
* By purchasing this product, the end user accepts all responsibility in the use, care, storage and application of said battery. No risk shall be assumed by manufacturer or distributor, so please be sure that these terms are acceptable before use.
* Any collateral damage when Pulse batteries are in use will not be covered or assumed in any way by the manufacturer, supplier or distributor of Pulse batteries. This also applies to any other LiPo battery carried via thus web store.
#1:
Lithium Polymer batteries, by nature of their design, have the potential of volatility, and must be properly cared for and inspected upon receiving them. If any questions arise in terms of the battery's condition, be sure to contact the supplier of this battery immediately.
#2:
All Pulse batteries arrive with a storage charge of 3.7V - 3.9V per cell, or a voltage within that range - batteries do not arrive fully charged, nor should batteries be left in a fully charged state for prolonged periods of time. Be sure any LiPo battery is properly charged before use - attempting to use a LiPo battery that has just been received without proper charging can result in battery damage, which will not be covered under any warranty.
#3:
Pulse Lithium Polymer batteries (or any other LiPo batteries offered via this web store) MUST be charged with a dedicated Lithium Polymer charger. Chargers designed for other chemistry of batteries, (such as NiMh, NiCd, or any other non-specific lithium polymer batteries) must not be used. If any non LiPo based charger is used, severe damage to the battery pack will result, and a fire could be the end result of this damage. Any charging of a LiPo battery without a proper LiPo charger will void all warranty in full.
#4:
Never charge any LiPo based battery unattended. It is paramount that LiPo batteries be charged with care, and proper supervision of the charge process is key. It is essential that LiPo batteries are not left unattended during the charge process to make sure the charging state is without issue or problem.
#5:
Proper charging of LiPo batteries is essential. Be sure that your LiPo based charger has the capability to safely & effectively charge your LiPo battery, as any setting issues or charger errors can result in severe battery damage or fire.
Always be sure to charge any LiPo battery at correct voltage and amperage settings - failure to do so can result in damage to the battery, and will void all warranty. For any questions regarding this matter, be sure to contact your supplier for assistance.
#6:
When charging or in use, if the battery is seen to swell up, change shape, deform or balloon, or noticeably increase in temperature during the charging phase, end use immediately. Battery must be placed in a secure area for 15 minutes and observed from a safe distance. If your LiPo battery experiences any swelling, puffing, or deformation of this kind, the battery is no longer safe to use and must be properly disposed of.
#7:
Be sure to avoid ALL battery shorts when using a LiPo based battery, as this can result in fire, battery damage, or possible injury to you or others. If a short occurs, be sure to place the battery in a safe & secure area for 15 minutes, as the battery has the potential to catch fire after the short occurred.
Be aware that if a LiPo battery is shorted, the LiPo battery is deemed damaged / faulty and is not safe for use. Any short of this nature (intentionally or unintentionally) will not be covered under any warranty.
#8:
If a battery is crashed, damaged or punctured in any way, the battery should be placed in a safe & secure area to prevent any injuries or damage. In most regards, if a crashed battery shows signs of deformation, there is a high risk of internal damage, and such a battery should not be used again.
Using or charging such damaged batteries comes at a very high risk! If a battery shows no signs of damage after a crash, be sure to set it within a safe & secure area for 15 minutes, and if no further signs of swelling or other such abnormalities occur, battery can be used with extreme care & caution, at the risk of the end user.
#9:
When soldering your LiPo battery, ensure that this is done with extreme care, as any short will severely damage the battery, voiding all warranty and compromising the battery for any use. If a short occurs, place the battery in a safe & secure area for a full 15 minutes, and be sure of no swelling, temperature increase, or any other abnormality is seen. Further use of a shorted battery is NOT recommended, even if battery shows no signs of swelling, puffing or voltage issue.
#10:
If you are in the need of cutting or clipping the positive/negative power leads from your LiPo battery, be sure (1) wire is clipped at a time in order to prevent any shorts.
#11:
Never charge your LiPo battery in an unsafe area, such as a car, or within an area that could lead to damage if a fire were to ensue.
#12:
Always store your LiPo battery in a safe area, and never within an area that could result in damage, such as a transmitter case, helicopter case, car, or any other item of this nature. Batteries should be stored & charged in a LiPo safe container, or a LiPo bag, to ensure proper safety & protection.
#13:
Never charge or store your battery within your aircraft or vehicle - this is a very unsafe method of charging and storage, and must not be done.
Proper Care Before 1st Use or Charge:
#1:
Always be sure to check your battery for any abnormalities, or any such damage or stress to connectors or balance tabs.
#2:
Before charging or use of any LiPo battery, be sure to check the individual cell voltage to make sure the cells are within proper limits - above 3.0V per cell, and nothing greater than 4.20V per cell. New batteries will have a storage voltage of 3.70V to 3.90V, and will not be shipped at a full charge.
#3:
If any of the battery cells seems to be abnormal, far out of balance, too high in voltage, or too low in voltage, be sure to cease use of the battery, store in a safe area, and contact the supplier where the battery was purchased. If any damage is noticed, cells are found to be punctured, or any other anomaly is seen, please place battery in safe area and contact your supplier for further help.
Charging LiPo Batteries:
#1:
Always be sure to use a LiPo based charger, charge in a safe area, and never charge your LiPo batteries unattended. be sure to fully read and understand all safety information relating to the manufacturer instructions in relation to the charger and follow all safety information noted.
#2:
With your 1st (5) charges, charge the battery at 1C - e.g., a 3S 11.1V 2200mah battery charged at a 1C rating equals 2.2A. Even though Pulse batteries are rated at a 5C charge rate, it is not ideal to charge them at 5C from their 1st few charges, as this will shorten the lifespan of the battery. For any other brand of battery outside of Pulse batteries, follow all proper charge ratings based upon the manufacturer recommendations.
Be advised that select Pulse batteries do not offer a 5C charge rate, such as receiver batteries, transmitter batteries, etc. It is the users responsibility to read and understand proper charging information in relation to the battery in use.
#3:
After use of your LiPo battery, allow the battery to cool to ambient temperature before charging again - this will ensure long life of the cells and prevent damage. Charging your battery while it is still warm / hot from use is NOT recommended, and will shorten the overall lifespan of the battery.
#4:
If charging your battery in a series connection, proper care must be taken. Cell voltage of both batteries being charged MUST match, and caution & experience is a must in this application of charge.
Series & Parallel charging is NOT recommended, as this charging procedure is much more likely to result in battery damage, which can relate to a LiPo fire.
#5:
When charging your LiPo battery, be sure to verify the information being read by your charger, and make sure you have selected the correct voltage and amperage before charging begins.
#6:
Never charge a LiPo battery beyond 4.20V per cell - anything beyond this can damage the battery, and can cause a fire.
#7:
Be sure to check the battery voltage of your LiPo battery after every use t o ensure the individual cell voltage is not too low. This is due to the fact that the voltage shown is a voltage without load; under load, the battery can be lower than what is shown when checking the unloaded voltage state. Proper resting voltage after use should be 3.7V or above.
#8:
Be sure your LiPo battery is never over discharged beyond 80% of the capacity listed.
#9:
Always be sure to setup your ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) to the proper minimum safe cutoff voltages so battery can be used effectively without being discharged beyond limits. It is the end users responsibility to make proper settings when LiPo batteries are being used, so be sure to follow all proper LiPo settings when it comes to your ESC.
Your First Few Uses:
With the 1st few use of LiPo batteries, we suggest gentle power usage to allow the batteries to break in for maximum levels of life cycle performance. Instead of pushing the battery to the low voltage cutoff, it is suggested to only discharge the pack by 50%, allow battery to cool, and then recharge. Repeat this cycle (5) times, and then normal usage can ensue.
Storage & Transportation of LiPo Batteries:
#1:
If storing your LiPo batteries beyond a 1 week time, it is highly suggested to initiate a storage charge of 3.7V to 3.8V per cell, which many chargers offer. Once batteries are stored at this voltage of 3.7 to 3.8V per cell, batteries can be stored for months without issue.
If batteries are to be stored for a prolonged period of time, it is a good idea to cycle your batteries on a LiPo based charger, and then set batteries back to a storage value of 3.7V - 3.9V, depending upon what voltage settings your charger uses.
#2:
LiPo batteries should be stored within a temperature range of 40 degrees - 70 degrees (F) for optimum performance & longevity.
#3:
If transporting LiPo batteries via vehicle, temperature ranges should be greater than 20 degrees, and no more than 150 degrees. Temperature ranges beyond 170 degrees can cause permanent damage to the batteries, and can pose a risk of a fire.
When transporting LiPo batteries, be sure to store LiPo batteries in a fire resistant case to prevent damage if a fire were to ensue. Never leave / store LiPo batteries in a vehicle.
#4:
It is suggested to not expose any LiPo based battery to direct sunlight / heat for any extended period of time, as this could result in battery damage, which can lead to a possible fire.
Use of LiPo Batteries:
#1:
Be sure that your ESC is set to the proper cutoff threshold, and the battery is not discharged below 3.0V per cell under load, as this can damage the pack permanently.
#2:
Proper charging via a dedicated lithium polymer balance charger is recommended for charging of any LiPo based battery.
#3:
Always check overall and individual cell voltage of LiPo batteries after use, making sure all cells & voltages are within safe limits.
#4:
Always handle & install lithium polymer batteries in a safe fashion. If punctured, dropped or damaged in any way, fire can result.
Pulse Battery Warranty:
Pulse Ultra batteries have a warranty of (90) days from initial purchase against any defects, faults or workmanship errors. If any such faults or are seen, immediately contact your supplier for proper assistance.
If you encounter a warranty related issue with your Pulse Ultra battery, please contact your Pulse Ultra dealer for warranty related issue. Information needed will be the invoice showing date of purchase, and a picture of Pulse Ultra battery showing the date stamp of the battery. Further information may be requested by the retailer, based upon situation at hand.
To mitigate risks, never ship a damaged LiPo battery, and be sure to receive proper instructions from the retailer if an issue arises in regards to warranty. If a battery problem occurs, be sure battery is located in a safe area while waiting for warranty support from retailer.
Pulse Ultra batteries are not covered for any damage to the application in use, nor does any warranty apply for any misuse, abuse or improper charging of Pulse batteries. All risks are assumed by the end user in all manners of use, charging, storage, application or otherwise. Pulse Battery (and all vendors associated with Pulse Battery) assumes no losses, damage, or injury to the end user.