IF1200 Battery Safety Guidelines
This section outlines safety guidelines for Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries used on the IF1200A during regular use, charging or storage discharging.
Using Batteries
Before using your batteries, check the power and health status. Ensure the batteries aren’t leaking, bulging, or damaged. If the battery has been in a low temperature environment (below 5ºC/41ºF) prior to use, preheat the battery by charging or discharging with a small current to above 5ºC/41ºF (nominal temperature is 20ºC/68ºF).
DO NOT
Let the battery connectors contact metal or carbon fiber, or any other conductive material that may cause short circuiting.
Short or reverse the positive and negative electrodes.
Pull the battery charge/discharge cable.
Disassemble/reassemble a battery on your own. This is dangerous and could cause harm or fire.
Do heavy duty operations when first starting use of a cold battery. Allow the battery to reach normal operating temperatures before hard use.
Over-discharge the battery. Single cell voltage should not be lower than 3.3V. Over-discharge will cause damage to the battery, such as puffing or bulging.
Allow the electrolyte to get on your skin or in your eyes. Flush affected areas with water and seek medical attention.
Charging Batteries
When charging, ONLY use a Li-Po battery type smart charger. Keep the batteries in a temperature range of 10ºC (50ºF) - 45ºC (113ºF) while charging. Only use a table or surface that is heat-resistant.
Before charging batteries check each cell to ensure they are in the safe operating area. Batteries should not be charged at higher than a 1C rating. This means for a 16000maH battery the current should not exceed 16 amps while charging (7000maH @ 7 amps, 22000maH @ 22 amps).
1
Plug in and turn on the charger
2
Plug the black, balance cable into the charger and the battery
3
Plug the yellow connector from the battery into the keyed port on the charger
4
After 10 seconds the battery will begin charging
5
When a battery is done charging, the charger will beep and display “Done” on the LCD screen
6
Press the Charge button, unplug the yellow connector from the charger, and then unplug the balance cable from the battery
7
Place the battery in an appropriate storage container if it won’t be used right away
DO NOT
Leave charging batteries on or near a flammable surface (carpet, drapes, wood, etc.).
Charge Overnight.
Leave charging batteries unattended.
Charge the batteries in parallel.
Unplug the battery cable from the charger while the battery is charging. This may result in electrical arcing and could cause injury.
Unplug batteries from the charger without pressing the Charge button BEFORE unplugging.
Battery Storage
If a battery is not used for more than 5 days, discharge to 40% ~ 70%. This will extend the life of the batteries. If the batteries are fully charged, they will automatically turn on the Intelligent Storage Mode which will discharge the battery from full power to a suitable storage voltage. The battery temperature will increase during this time, which is normal.
If a battery is to be shipped or will not be used for long periods of time, it is recommended to put the battery in Storage Mode. Depending on a battery’s state of charge, putting the battery into storage mode will either charge or discharge the battery to a voltage that is most stable for shipping and sitting for long periods of time.
1
Plug in and turn on the charger
2
Plug the black, balance cable into the charger and the battery
3
Plug the yellow connector from the battery into the keyed port on the charger
4
Hold the Storage button for 5 seconds
5
The charger will beep, the fans will spin, and the LCD display will indicate that Storage mode charging/discharging has begun
Always store batteries in a dedicated, fire-proof or fire resistant container.
Always ship batteries via Ground transport, and never ship without a dedicated, fire-resistant battery shipping container.
DO NOT
Ship fully charged batteries.
Allow batteries to come in contact with liquid, and do not store the batteries in a humid place.
Keep the batteries where children can reach them.
Store the batteries in an environment where temperatures can exceed 25ºC (77ºF).
Stack batteries in storage.
Disposal
Lithium-Ion Polymer batteries need to be disposed of properly. They need to be taken to a local facility that can handle the proper disposal of lithium batteries. Hold any batteries in need of disposal in an adequate, fire-resistant container, until they can be properly disposed of. Contact your local waste management to inquire how to dispose of LiPo batteries safely.
DO NOT
Dispose of batteries in the trash.
Do not incinerate or subject to temperatures in excess of 70ºC (158ºF).
Battery Indicators & Error Lights
Critical Battery Voltage
Low Battery is set on the aircraft to RTH and is defined as either 1 or both batteries reporting less than 3500 mAh remaining.
Critical battery is is set on the aircraft to Land in Place and is defined as either 1 or both batteries reporting less than 2000 mAh remaining.
Return-to-Home (RTH)
3500 mAh
22%
Land in Place
2000 mAh
12.5%
IFT programs Tattu batteries with customized CAN data / firmware. Batteries purchased from outside sources will NOT communicate properly with IFT aircraft.
Last updated