Safety
This Lithium Polymer Battery has different performance and safety specifications from our Lithium-ion batteries. Please follow all the performance and safety guidelines below.
Lithium polymer batteries have a high energy density and must be treated with care to ensure safe operation and a long lifespan.
- Avoid discharging below 3.3 V per cell (13.2 V total voltage) and never below 3.0 V per cell (12.0 V total voltage)
- Never charge over 4.20 V per cell (16.8 V total voltage)
- Do not puncture, crush, cut, or disassemble
- Discontinue use if the battery swells or changes appearance*
- Do not burn or expose to temperatures above 50°C (122°F)
- Always use a lithium polymer compatible balance charger
- Do not leave unattended while charging
- Do not exceed maximum charge (15 A) or discharge (90 A**) rate
- Do not pick up by discharge leads, always handle by gripping battery body.
*See Lithium Polymer Battery Puffing/Swelling section below for more information.
**See Discharging section below for more information.
Additional General Lithium Polymer Battery Information and Safety Resources:
A Guide to Understanding LiPo Batteries
Lipo (Lithium) Battery Safety Guide
Charging
The Blue Robotics H6 PRO Lithium Battery Charger is recommended for use with this battery. It is preconfigured with the correct settings to safely charge all Blue Robotics batteries.
To charge this battery using the Blue Robotics H6 PRO Lithium Battery Charger, change the cell count option to 4S (14.8V) and start the charging task. Make sure to keep it away from flammable materials and monitor the battery as it charges, discontinue charging if it becomes hot, swells, or changes in appearance. You can view the full H6 PRO Charger user instructions here.
If you are not using the Blue Robotics H6 Pro Lithium Battery Charger, use the following instructions:
Only use a lithium polymer compatible balance charger to charge this battery, attempting to use another type of charger will damage the battery. The charger should have a balance charge function and be able to balance a lithium battery with 4 cells (4S). Make sure to keep it away from flammable materials and monitor the battery as it charges, discontinue charging if it becomes hot, swells, or changes in appearance.
Use your charger’s lithium polymer (LiPo) charging setting and set it to 4S (14.8V). The LiPo setting will charge the battery to the fully charged voltage of 4.20 V per cell, 16.8 V total battery voltage. We recommend balance charging/balancing the battery at every charge to keep all cells at the same level of charge. If quick charging is a priority, balancing can be done at least every third charge. Cells that are not properly balanced may become overcharged. An overcharged cell is unstable and can lead to battery failure, property damage, or personal injury.
This battery can be safely charged at up to 15 A, which will bring it back up to full charge in less than an hour. However, we recommend charging at 10 A regularly in order to maximize capacity and lifespan. A summary of the correct charging settings for this battery is provided below.
| Lithium Polymer Battery (14.8V, 10Ah) Charge Settings |
| Charge Profile | LiPo | Number of Cells | 4S |
| Nominal Voltage | 14.8 V total / 3.7 V per cell | Fully Charged Voltage | 16.8 V total / 4.2 V per cell |
| Recommended Charge Rate | 10 A | Maximum Charge Rate | 15 A |
Discharging
After charging, connect the XT90 discharge plug to your vehicle, and the battery is ready to use. This battery does not have a built-in battery management system to prevent overdischarging. The battery voltage must be monitored to prevent discharging below the minimum safe voltage level of 13.2 V.
The battery can sustain a constant discharge of up to 90 A, and up to 120 A in short bursts of up to 10 seconds. Make sure to never short the battery discharge plug or plug it into a circuit that may be shorted.
Note that the maximum safe discharge rating is dependent on adequate cooling to keep the battery below 50°C. If used in an enclosed space without airflow, constant current draw must be decreased appropriately to keep the battery at a safe temperature.
Storage
Avoid storing lithium polymer batteries at full charge (16.8 V) for longer than 6 hours at a time. If the battery will not be immediately used (within the same day), it should be put into storage charge. Use the “storage” function on your charger to put the batteries at the correct storage charge level. Lithium batteries must be stored at storage charge levels, typically around 40–60% of full charge, to prolong their lifespan and ensure safe, reliable performance. Storing them fully charged or deeply discharged can lead to capacity degradation or permanent damage over time. The Blue Robotics H6 PRO Lithium Battery Charger, and most other lithium battery chargers, have a “storage” function that will charge or discharge a battery to the proper storage charge level.
Once the batteries are at the appropriate charge level, follow these guidelines for storage:
- Store lithium batteries in a cool, dry location at a temperature below 50°C (122°F), and ideally ranging between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F). Avoid locations with high heat or direct sunlight, as excessive temperatures can degrade battery capacity.
- Ensure the storage environment is dry with low humidity. Excess moisture can lead to corrosion or internal damage, affecting the battery’s performance and lifespan.
- Keep batteries away from flammable materials or potential ignition sources. Consider using a fireproof container or a designated storage area specifically designed for batteries to minimize fire hazards.
Batteries will self-discharge slowly while in storage. On average, they can lose about 0.5–5% of their charge per month while in storage, depending on various factors such as temperature, state of charge, age, and health. Periodically check your batteries every few months to ensure their charge does not fall below the minimum safe voltage, and top-up the charge as necessary.
Lithium Polymer Battery Puffing/Swelling
The improper use or maintenance of lithium batteries accelerates electrolyte decomposition in the battery, leading to a buildup of excess gas within the battery. This gas buildup can make the battery appear puffy or swollen. Follow these safety guidelines if you notice your battery begins to change appearance:
- Very slight puffing or swelling of the battery is not ideal but is generally safe to continue use in most cases. Slight puffing and swelling are strong indicators that the battery is being stressed and more care should be taken to maintain good battery health by following our guidelines for:
- Storing the battery at 50% charge when not in use
- Proper charging
- Avoiding overdischarging or exceeding the maximum continuous discharge rate
- Keeping temperature below 50°C (122°F)
- Significant puffing or swelling is very dangerous. If your battery appears significantly puffy or swollen immediately discontinue use and dispose of it properly.
