Hobbico Life Source Instruction Manual

LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS
LiFe batteries (LiFePO4 - Lithium Iron Phosphate) have several advantages over LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries. Most
importantly, LiFe batteries are much safer. LiFe batteries also have a much longer cycle and calendar life, and consist
of iron and phosphate which have a much lower environmental impact than the cobalt used in LiPo batteries. It is
important to have a good understanding of the operating characteristics of LiFe batteries – most importantly, how
to charge and care for them safely. Always read the specifi cations printed on the battery's label and in this instruction
sheet in their entirety prior to use. Failure to follow these instructions can quickly result in severe, permanent damage
to the battery and its surroundings!
1
WARNING!
LiFe batteries are ENTIRELY DIFFERENT from NiCd,
NiMH, and LiPo batteries and must be handled
diff erently!! Hobbico will not be held responsible
for any and all incidental damages and bodily harm that
may result from improper use of Hobbico LiFeSource brand
LiFe batteries. In purchasing these products, the buyer/user
agrees to bear all responsibilities of these risks and not hold
Hobbico and/or its distributors (owners and employees)
responsible for any accidents, injury to persons, or property
damage. If you do not agree with these conditions, please
return the battery to the place of purchase.
Before and after every use of your LiFe battery, inspect the
pack carefully to ensure no physical damage is evident,
such as swelling, splitting or torn outer heat shrink wrapper,
or loose plugs and wires. Such signs can often indicate a
problem exists with the battery that could lead to failure.
2
LiFe BATTERY RATINGS
LiFe battery packs are identifi ed by the pack voltage and
capacity. A 6.6V 1100mAh LiFe battery has a NOMINAL
voltage of 6.6 volts and a storage capacity of 1100 milliamp-
hours, or 1.1 amp-hours.
LiFe packs are made up of individual cells that are
connected together in SERIES. Connecting cells in series
adds the voltage of all cells to result in a total pack voltage.
A 6.6V 1100mAh pack is made up of two 3.3V 1100mAh
LiFe cells (2 × 3.3V = 6.6V). This is referred to as a "2S" pack,
meaning two cells in series. Each LiFe cell has a NOMINAL
voltage of 3.3V. A fully charged LiFe cell is 3.6V, and a fully
depleted LiFe cell is 2.5V. Most LiFe chargers and balancing
equipment are based using a battery's nominal voltage
rating as a parameter.
Battery capacity is measured in mAh (milliamp-hours),
being the amount of current that the battery can deliver
over a certain time period. The larger the capacity, the
longer the run or operating time (assuming the load current
doesn't change).
A battery's "C" rating indicates the maximum current the
battery can deliver at any given moment, as well as the
maximum charge rate for the battery. The "C" value is simply
a multiplier of the amp-hour capacity rating of the battery.
An 1100mAh LiFe battery has a 1C value of 1.1. An 1800mAh
LiFe battery has a 1C value of 1.8, and so on. LiFe batteries
are also rated by their maximum discharge capability using
the C value. A battery rated as 10C can deliver a maximum
current of 10 times the C value of the battery. As an example,
an 1100mAh battery with a 10C discharge rating can deliver
a maximum current of 11A (10 × C = 10 × 1.1 = 11A).
3
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LiFe BATTERY
Evaluate your application to determine the "average"
discharge amperage rate needed for operation. Choose a
LiFe battery which can easily handle the current needs of
the application. The current draw of the application can be
measured using a multi-meter or meters made specifi cally
for the radio-controlled hobby. When measuring the current,
servos should be in operation when a reading is made. Actual
current draw will be greater in fl ight due to increased load
on the servos (an on-board data logger can provide accurate
servo current draw). Desired fl ight time and battery weight
should also be considering when selecting a battery.
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