Lithium polymer (or lipo) batteries are more common in many electronics than you may have thought: R/C cars, boats, planes, helis, and many consumer electronics devices all use them. They are also used in small electric vehicles, as they can be charged quickly. But have you ever noticed and wondered what 50c means on a lipo battery?
In this article, we will go into depth about lithium polymer batteries, including how they work and their benefits, so you know which one fits you best.
Table of Contents
What are Lithium polymer (or lipo) batteries?
Lithium polymer batteries are used in many devices and devices and their popularity is growing. They’re lightweight, have a high energy density, and can be made in any shape or size needed. Lipo batteries can be recharged multiple times before they need to be replaced.
They’re less common than other types of rechargeable batteries (like nickel metal hydride), but they can hold more energy per unit volume than other types of rechargeable batteries. Lithium polymer batteries are made of two sheets of plastic with a layer of liquid electrolyte between them. The sheets allow for flexibility while the electrolyte helps conduct electricity between the positive and negative electrodes inside the battery pack.
They are conductive enough to store electricity efficiently without leaking away through oxidation or other chemical reactions. These ions are held within the polymeric material by electrostatic forces until they’re needed—at which point they move into solution with the liquid electrolyte surrounding them, allowing current flow through.
Lipo batteries do not contain toxic heavy metals such as mercury or cadmium. They can be produced in small sizes and have a more stable voltage during discharge. They have a fast charge time and can be charged at high currents without any risk of damage to the battery.
What does the 50C mark on Lipo batteries mean?
The C rating, also known as the discharge rating, is a measure of how many times you can charge and discharge your battery before its capacity drops to 80% of its original capacity. The C mark on the battery comes from Capacity. You must know the capacity of the battery to determine the safe amp draw.
50C = Capacity x 50 (in Amps)
The C-Rating of our example battery is 50 x 5 = 250A. The resulting figure is the maximum sustained load that can be safely applied to the battery. If you apply a bigger load, your battery will degrade faster.
So if you’re using a 2200 mAh battery, which is 2.2 Ah, or about 2200 milliamps per hour for an hour (this means it has the same amount of power as two AA batteries), then this means that after you’ve charged it 50 times, it will have only 80% of its original capacity remaining. That might seem like a lot—but in reality, most people won’t hit 50 charges before they’re ready to move on to something new.
You can also watch this video for more info on the C rating meaning of lipo batteries and how it affects your device.
Other labels on a battery:
Voltage
It is a measure of the potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. In batteries, voltage refers to the amount of energy the battery stores.
Voltage is measured in volts (V). A typical AA alkaline battery has a voltage of 1.5V while an AA NiMH rechargeable battery has a voltage of around 1.2V per cell. Lithium polymer batteries usually have a nominal voltage of approximately 3.7V per lipo cell. A battery can have two or more individual cells inside, raising its voltage to meet different needs.
Capacity
It is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh). This is how much power can be drawn from your battery before it drains completely and needs recharging again. It’s also often referred to as “Amps x Hours” where Amps = current draw from your device and Hours = how long it will last before needing to be charged again.
Is a higher C rating better on a battery?
A high discharge rate means more energy, which means better performance. The main distinction between batteries with differing C ratings is that higher-rated batteries have fewer voltage fluctuations during strain.
If you want to use the battery for a car, you might have questions about the car’s speed and how the battery influences it. Batteries having a higher C rating, on the other hand, will be capable of keeping voltage under load. This means that your power system will be able to produce more watts of electricity, resulting in a faster top speed.
A discharge rate overhead of 30% is ideal. If you calculate a maximum system discharge of 100 amps, your battery pack should provide at least 30% extra power, or 130 total amps.
A higher C rate also means a good choice of battery —this is if you’re going to be using your device frequently. If you’re not sure what kind of charging capacity your device has, check with the manufacturer or look at their website for more information on what kind of battery they recommend for your device.
How to pick your battery?
There are a few things to consider when choosing the best lithium polymer battery for you:
- How long do you need the battery to last?
- What is your budget?
- What are your power needs?
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can start looking at different lithium polymer batteries and compare their features. Pay attention to things like capacity, discharge rate, and life cycle.
If you need a battery that will last you a long time, the 50c lipo battery might be your best choice. If you get a lipo battery, it means you will get a battery with long run times and high power. If you want something powerful and durable (and not super expensive), look for something with at least 3000mAh—and remember that the more milliamps per hour (mAh) there are in the battery, the better.
The weight of the battery is also important because it affects how long the battery will last and how much power it can deliver. A bigger battery has more power, but it’s also heavier, and some vehicles can be affected by the extra weight.
How to make your lipo batteries life last longer?
Lithium-ion batteries are notorious for not lasting as long as we would like them to. However, there are some things you can do to help make your lithium polymer battery last longer.
1. Pay attention to the recommended discharge rating
First, you should avoid discharging your lithium polymer battery below its recommended discharge rating, or you run the risk of damaging it and shortening its lifespan.
2. Use a LiPo-compatible charger
It is critical to utilize a LiPo-compatible charger with these batteries. They charge via a technique known as CC/CV charging, an abbreviation for Constant Current / Constant Voltage. This charger will maintain a constant current, or charge rate until the battery reaches its maximum voltage. The voltage will then be preserved while the current is decreased. Other methods of charging a LiPo battery can be harmful, so having a LiPo-compatible charger is essential.
3. Keep it charged between 40% and 80%
For your lithium polymer battery to last as long as possible, you’ll want to keep it charged between 40% and 80%. If you let your battery go below 40%, then you risk damaging the battery capacity permanently; if you let it get above 80%, then you risk damaging its chemical structure permanently as well.
4. Avoid draining it completely
One way to increase the longevity of your battery is to avoid draining it completely before recharging. This can put unnecessary strain on the battery and shorten its overall life. Also, avoid exposing the battery to extreme temperatures, as this can also damage it. Instead, keep it at a moderate temperature, ideally between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you take good care of your lithium polymer battery, it should last for several years with no problems. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your battery has a long and healthy life.
Conclusion
Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of electronic devices. Finding out what the numbers on the side mean can save you a lot of trouble, and knowing what different c-ratings do will let you know how many times you can charge and discharge your battery safely.
Despite their many benefits, they also have downsides. However, there are a few things you can do to help extend the life of your lithium polymer battery. We hope this guide helped you, but if you still have questions, let us know in the comments!