Battery safety guidelines

Never alter, puncture or impact batteries, and keep sharp objects away — a hole in the pack can lead to fire. Never let a battery get wet. Avoid dropping batteries: a crushed cell can short internally and catch fire. Never carry batteries in your pocket or a non-fireproof bag, never store them in a vehicle, and never connect the terminals with metal objects or store loose batteries together. Keep them between 4 and 49 °C, out of direct sunlight — heat kills LiPos. Never charge a battery that is still warm from use, or use one still warm from charging. Always check the voltage before use, especially for packs unused for six months or more, and charge and store in a non-conductive, fireproof bag. Store standard LiPos at 3.80 V ± 0.05 V per cell, or at the manufacturer’s storage voltage for other chemistries (LiFePO4, LiHV).

Only use a balance charger designed for your battery’s chemistry, set to the right type, cell count and voltage. Charge at 1C unless the manufacturer says otherwise, in an open area away from flammable materials — never inside the model or a vehicle. Never charge a battery that is too hot to touch, puffed, punctured or damaged, and never let the leads touch. Check the voltage before each charge: a pack below the minimum safe starting voltage has been over-discharged or has failed and must not be charged. Never overcharge beyond the labelled capacity. If a pack swells while charging, stop immediately, put it in a safe container and observe it.

Never discharge at a higher current than the label specifies, let the battery exceed the manufacturer’s temperature limit, or discharge below the rated minimum voltage under load. An over-discharged battery may be damaged, losing performance and risking fire when it is next charged.

Use a voltmeter to check your batteries are at storage voltage. If they are above or below it, connect them to your charger, select “storage mode”, and charge or discharge accordingly.

Quickly and safely disconnect and remove the battery from the model, then follow the procedures above. If the battery’s contents touch your skin, wash with soap and water immediately; if they reach your eyes, flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety and charging instructions.