LiPo Battery Storage (How To Store LiPo Batteries) 

There are many things you would know when storing LiPo batteries. While most people just think you need to store your batteries in a cool dry place, there is a lot more that you should know.

So what are some things you should know when storing LiPo batteries?

Here are 7 things you need to know when storing your lithium polymer battery.

The best way to gauge what voltage to store your LiPo battery on is to see what voltage the battery is at when you buy it. Manufacturers keep LiPo batteries at storage charge levels, because it may be months before the batteries reach the end user.

• If you are going to keep your batteries in storage for a while (a while being anything over 4 days), then you want to bring your batteries down to a storage voltage of 3.8-3.85 volts per cell. The same goes if your batteries are depleted. If your battery is below 3.7 volts per cell for some reason, you want to bring it back up to 3.85 before storing it. DO NOT store your batteries with a full charge.

• Batteries shouldn’t usually rest at below 3.7 volts per cell. If you have a battery pack well below 3.7 volts even after resting for a while, be very vigilant when you charge and make sure to charge very slowly, at less than 1C preferably.

• Most computerized LiPo chargers have a “LiPo Storage” option which will automatically bring your battery to the proper storage charge.

• Store LiPos in locations as fireproof as possible. Good places are on the concrete in your garage, or in a metal/glass box away from wood or carpet.

• Store in temperature-controlled locations – not too hot, not too cold, and as dry as possible. Basically, you want to store your batteries at room temperature.

• You can also store the LiPos in a container with a bag of sand on top. If something were to happen, the flames would rip a hole in the bag, the sand would fall on the battery and extinguish the flames. Storing your batteries in LiPo bags is always a good idea as well. A LiPo safe bag will help prevent any fires or explosions during storage.

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby and easily accessible.

Most of these suggestions actually apply to charging LiPos, but the reason I am listing them here is to be extra cautious since the times you’ll be storing your LiPos will also be times when you won’t be around them for extended periods.

Now that you know these tips for storing your LiPo batteries, you can store your batteries without any issues and make them last longer. Properly storing your batteries will not only be safer for you but will make them last longer. 

To see the most popular LiPo batteries just click here. 

Where To Store LiPo Batteries?

The electrical aspect of storing a lithium-ion polymer battery is pretty easy. Physically storing LiPo batteries is a little more complicated. Since putting a LiPo battery in long term storage is something that most people will have to do (because of their popularity) it is important to know where to store them at.

LiPo batteries contain very reactive liquid chemicals in them (which allows them to produce such high power), so they should not be handled lightly. You want to treat them with as much care as possible.

This is just one fo the drawbacks to LiPo batteries.

For starters, you can insulate the leads. This can be as simple as putting a rubber cap or some electrical tape on all of the leads – this includes balance leads and the main power leads.

You should always store your LiPo batteries in a cool dry place and in a LiPo storage bag. LiPo storage bags are made from fire-retardant materials and will protect you in case your batteries ever catch on fire.

You can buy one of these bags for your batteries by clicking here. These bags are a necessity when storing LiPo batteries in your house.

In case of a fire, the bags won’t completely stifle the flames, but they may give you a little more time to react and dispose of the bag so as not to do damage to your house. 

Since most drones and RC cars will have LiPo batteries as the most popular choice for these consumer electronics devices it is important that you know where to store them properly. In regards to storing them in a cool place essentially you want them in a place where the ambient temperature is something that you would be comfortable in.

I’m not saying that a cool place would be storing them in a refrigerator. Instead of storing them in the fridge, putting them in a temperature-controlled garage or dry basement would work well.

In regards to storing your LiPo battery in a dry location, you essentially don’t want your battery to draw condensation which in turn could damage the individual batteries. Just make sure the place is dry and you won’t have any negative consequences.

Tips When Owning LiPo Batteries

There are many things you will want to know when owning LiPo batteries. They do last longer than traditional ones, but there are some additional issues you will need to know about. 

What are these tips that you need to know when owning a LiPo battery? 

Below are tips for owning LiPo batteries.

• When you are charging, you’ll always be keeping an eye on the packs. You will want to use a balance charge and a charge rate that won’t overheat the battery.

• Always remember that heat is the number one enemy of LiPo batteries. The hotter your batteries get, the shorter their lifespan will be. Never charge a battery that is still warm from usage, and never use a battery that is still warm from charging. This is true no matter what type of battery you have.

• LiPo batteries do not work well in cold weather. The colder it is, the shorter your run times will be due to the slowing down of the chemical activity within the battery. If it is below 14F (-10C), LiPo usage is not recommended at all. Your battery could cause your R/C vehicle to suddenly fail without warning in these temperatures.

• A LiPo fire is a chemical fire. You will always want to keep a Class D fire extinguisher nearby your battery charging/discharging and storage area. The battery charging/discharging and storage area should be free from any materials which can catch fire such as wood tables, carpets, or gasoline containers. The ideal surface for charging and storing LiPo batteries is concrete or ceramic.

• Avoid purchasing used LiPo batteries. While some items are smarter to buy used to save money and help the environment, LiPo batteries are not one of those things. 
• LiPo batteries will last for approximately 150 discharge cycles. This is true for most LiPo batteries that are well taken care of no matter what mAh (milliamp hours) the battery is.

Now you know most of what you need to know about LiPo batteries. I make no claims that this article teaches you everything there is to know about LiPos, but hopefully, it helps give you some insight into how they work.

LiPo batteries have the potential to overtake NiMH batteries in general use in the next few years, quicker than any battery in history. It is certainly an exciting time for the hobby, and things are changing on a frequent basis.