Important Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer Battery Pack Safety Information

You must read and acknowledge your understanding and agreement to the terms specified here before you can purchase any of the Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly - Lipo) battery packs.

These warnings can be a little scary, and they should be as these Li-Poly packs can be very dangerous if not handled correctly, but please try and keep this information in perspective. Kitchen knives and Chip pans can also be very dangerous if not handled properly.

So remember, yes they can be dangerous, but with proper care and handling these Li-Poly battery packs can provide levels of performance far beyond most other technologies.

Statement from Overlander

Overlander has a responsibility as a battery supplier display these warnings for your information, they relate to ALL Lithium Polymer, Lithium Ion (Li-Po, Li-Ion) cells currently available. The fact that a supplier of Lithium Polymer, Lithium Ion does not label or warn of the dangers of their product does not make that product safe.

Under modelling discharge rates, the capacity of rechargeable Lithium packs or cells declines gradually, after 50 cycles it may be as low as 50%-80% of a new pack. Overlander is unable to ensure that the correct charging regime is applied to this product, once the cells have been charged/discharged we cannot accept any claim under our normal guarantee. Please read these instructions & disclaimer carefully, they will also be supplied with any cells or packs purchased from Overlander, they must also be passed to any new owner should the cells or packs be sold. Misuse of these cells can & will lead to explosions, fire, smoke & risk of poisoning.

Please note Li-Poly battery must be charged with a dedicated Lithium charger. Buyer understands there are risks, known and yet unknown, to the use of Li-Poly battery in RC hobby.

• Only use chargers designed specifically for Lithium Polymer battery.
• Double check the charger, number of cell selection setting, and mAh
• before every charge. Only charge the batteries on a non-flammable non-conducting surface, such as bare cement floor.
• Do not charge the battery inside the model plane, inside of ones car, home furniture or wood floor/carpet, or anywhere near flammable material.
• Monitor the charging of the battery pack at all times. Do not leave the battery unattended.
• Place a fire alarm above the Li-Poly battery charging location. Follow the fire alarm installation instructions.
• After a crash, inspect the battery pack for damage. Discard the pack outdoors if there is any sign of damage.
• Store the pack fully charged in a cool and dry location and out of reach of children.
• Do not assemble packs in series into parallel packs, as mismatch could result in fire.
• Do not carry or leave Lithium Polymer/Ion with model fuels such as Petrol/Gas or Methanol
• Do not store Lithium Polymer battery inside a car.
• Do not short the battery as it may catch on fire. If you accidentally short a battery, place it in open space and observe the battery for 10 minutes. It may swell up and possibly even catch on fire.
• Do not discharge Lithium Polymer battery below voltage according to the number of cells in series in the following chart.

Before charging, your Lithium Polymer should have this minimum voltage. Check battery pack voltage before charging S = Series, P = Parallel

Minimum voltage
1 Cell 1SXP = 3.0V
2 Cells in series 2SXP = 6.0V
3 Cells in series 3SXP = 9.0V
4 Cells in series 4SXP = 12.0V

Check your charger for safety. After charging, check battery with a digital voltmeter, voltage should read between Min and Max: Full charged pack should voltage between these numbers:
Minimum full charge to Maximum full charge
1 Cell = 4.16V to 4.23V
2 Cells in series = 8.32V to 8.45V
3 Cells in series = 12.48V to 12.68V
4 Cells in series = 16.64V to 16.9v

Maximum discharge: Do not discharge your Lithium Polymer battery below the voltage listed below, no load and load voltage. Max Discharge Voltage for Li-poly cells and packs

No Load (Motor not running)/Loaded (Motor running)
1 Cell = 3.0V/2.5V
2 Cells in series = 6.0V/5.0V
3 Cells in series = 9.0V/7.5V
4 Cells in series = 12.0V/10.0V

There may be a slight chance the battery pack could combust due to unmatched cells in capacity or voltage, damaged cells, charger failure, charger setting errors or many other factors. By purchasing these products, buyer understands the risk associated with the use of this experimental product, and will take the necessary precaution for its safe use and hold the manufacturer, seller, all affiliates and agents harmless in case of damage, injury or death. Buyer is solely responsible for any damage or injury resulting from the use of this experimental product. There is no warranty implied or expressed on Lithium Polymer battery and packs, as the intended use of these batteries in RC airplane application is beyond the design specification of the manufacturer. By purchasing Lithium Polymer battery products, buyer fully understands the delicate nature of this battery and risk associated with this product, and agrees with the terms and conditions listed above.

Statement from Academy of Model Aeronautics

Emergency Safety Alert: Lithium Battery Fires

Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy density (amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cds) or other batteries. With high energy comes increased risk in their use. The principal risk is fire which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries. All vendors of these batteries warn their customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their use. In spite of this many fires have occurred as a result of the use of Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) batteries, resulting in loss of models, automobiles, and other property. Homes and garages and workshops have also burned.

A lithium battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator for ancillary (resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact between lithium and oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively.

These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The following is recommended:

1. Store and charge in a fireproof container, never in your model.
2. Charge in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch over the charging process. Never leave the charging process unattended.
3. In the event of damage from crashes, etc., carefully remove to a safe place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could erupt into flame. After sufficient time to ensure safety, damaged cells should be discarded in accordance with the instructions which came with the batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage regardless of how slight.
4. Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having a fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur in using selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set. Never attempt to charge lithium cells with a charger that is not specifically designed for charging lithium cells. Never use chargers designed for Ni-Cd or NiMH batteries.
5. Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging and remove them to a safe place—outside—as they could erupt into flames.
6. Most important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE UNATTENDED OVERNIGHT. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.
7. Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.

These batteries cannot be handled and charged casually such as has been the practice for years with other types of batteries. The consequence of this practice can be very serious and result in major property damage and/ or personal harm.

AMA Safety Committee

Tantronics Limited - Units 7 & 8 - Pennine View - Shepley Lane - Marple - Stockport - SK6 7JW
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