Archive for the ‘Li-Po/Ion/Fe Batteries’ Category

2S 7.4V 250 mAh Gens Ace 30C LiPo Battery Tests

8, Aug 2013

2s-7-4v-250-mah-gens-ace-30c-lipo-battery

The 2S 7.4V 250 mAh Gens Ace 30C LiPo batteries are compact batteries often used in small scale flying radio controlled models such as RC planes and helicopters. These small batteries have a pretty high discharge and charge ratings that we need to confirm in our tests. What is important to note for this particular battery is that it is a 2 cell battery, but there is no balance plug, only a JST discharge one that brings out the combined voltage from the two cells. While this normally should not be a big problem, not having a balance connector may shorten the life of the battery if the cells become more and more disbalanced over time.

Official Battery Specifications:

– Capacity: 250mAh
– Voltage: 7.4V
– Max Continuous Discharge: 30C (7.5A)
– Max Burst Discharge: 60C (15A)
– Weight: 18g
– Dimensions: 38,5mm*25,12mm*10,5mm
– Balance Plug: N/A
– Discharge Plug: JST
– Charge Rate: 1-3C Recommended, 5C Max


2s-7-4v-250-mah-gens-ace-30c-lipo-battery-capacity

Time for the actual tests, starting with a 1C discharge rate (0.25A) for the 2S 7.4V 250 mAh Gens Ace 30C LiPo battery we’ve managed to get 264 mAh as a maximum capacity which is a value a bit higher than the rated 250 mAh capacity for the battery, so definitely a good thing. Furthermore at up to 20C discharge rate the battery still manages to provide more than the rated 250 mAh capacity and at 25C and 30C the capacity you can get is just a bit less than 250, but still quite close to that value. So the 30C constant discharge rate is confirmed, however we’ve decided not to go for tests at up to 60C that the battery is supposedly able to handle. The reason for that is the fact that at 25C discharge rate the battery had a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius and at 30C it got up to 71 which is out of the safety zone for working temperature.

The performance of the 2S 7.4V 250 mAh Gens Ace 30C LiPo Battery in our tests:

– 264 mAh at 0.25A load (1C)
– 263 mAh at 1.25A load (5C)
– 261 mAh at 2.50A load (10C)
– 255 mAh at 3.75A load (15C)
– 255 mAh at 5.00A load (20C)
– 244 mAh at 6.25A load (25C)
– 234 mAh at 7.50A load (30C)

We can conclude that the 2S 7.4V 250 mAh Gens Ace 30C LiPo batteries are performing very good and meet their specs, the only thing to note is that if you are going to be pushing to their maximum you should make sure they are cooled properly (at 25C-30C discharge rates).

3S 11.1V 180 mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech 25-40C LiPo Battery Tests

1, Aug 2013

3s-11-1v-180-mah-turnigy-nano-tech-25-40c-lipo-battery

The 3S 11.1V 180 mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech 25-40C LiPo batteries are one of the smallest 3-cell Lithium-Polymer batteries available used in small-scale radio controlled models such as mini and micro cars and planes. Not to mention that these Turnigy batteries are available at a quite attractive price at hobby King, so you can buy more just to have a few spares. Of course if they are able to handle the high discharge rates that they are rated at – 25C constant and 40C burst, they could be really great, however still need to check it along with the capacity they can provide.

Official Battery Specifications:

– Capacity: 180mAh
– Voltage: 3S1P / 3 Cell / 11.1V
– Discharge: 25C Constant / 40C Burst
– Weight: 19g (including wire, plug & case)
– Dimensions: 35x20x15mm
– Balance Plug: JST-XH
– Discharge Plug: JST


3s-11-1v-180-mah-turnigy-nano-tech-25-40c-lipo-battery-capacity

Time for the actual tests, starting with a 1C discharge rate (0.18A) for the 3S 11.1V 180 mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech 25-40C LiPo battery we’ve managed to get 173 mAh as a maximum capacity and that is a bit short from the 180 mAh rating, though quite close to what it should’ve been. Moving to higher discharge rates such as 5C interestingly enough the battery was able to supply 182 mAh and 179 mAh at 10C discharge rate, apparently due to the fact that the temperature of the LiPo cells increases and the internal resistance gets lower at the higher discharge rate unlike at 1C. The temperature of the battery remains in the safe zone 55 degrees Celsius at 15C and 20C discharge rates and at 25C it gets a bit too hot at 73 degrees Celsius (out of the safe zone of up to 60) while still providing 165 mAh.

The performance of the 3S 11.1V 180 mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech 25-40C LiPo Battery in our tests:

– 173 mAh at 0.18A load (1C)
– 182 mAh at 0.90A load (5C)
– 179 mAh at 1.80A load (10C)
– 171 mAh at 2.70A load (15C)
– 170 mAh at 3.60A load (20C)
– 165 mAh at 4.50A load (25C)

We would not recommend using this battery at more than 20C for constant discharge rate, though the 3S 11.1V 180 mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech 25-40C LiPo battery may work well at 25C if properly cooled for example in a RC plane. In overall good performance and results that pretty much match the specs of the battery, though with some things that you should have in mind. Getting the battery too hot can permanently damage it or cause it to start a fire!

2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo Battery Tests

31, Jul 2013

2s-7-4v-500-mah-kingmax-25c-lipo-battery

The 2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo batteries are compact packs used for remote controlled models that re supposed to offer decent performance for their small size. The batteries are rated for 25C constant discharge rate and higher burst ones, but are these batteries really capable to deliver such performance?

Official Battery Specifications:

– Capacity: 500mAh
– Voltage: 2S / 2 Cell / 7.4V
– Continuous discharge rate: 25C
– Charge time: recommended (1A/2C)
– Net weight: 30g
– Size: 53 x 30 x 10mm


2s-7-4v-500-mah-kingmax-25c-lipo-battery-capacity

We’ve started testing with a 1C discharge rate (0.5A) and the 2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo battery was able to give out just 438 mAh capacity which was a bit disappointing considering the battery is rated at 500 mAh, this is a little over 12% lower capacity that advertised. Moving to higher discharge rates such as 5C and 10C (5 and 10 times the capacity) the battery handled quite well. At 15C constant discharge rate in the end the temperature of the battery was a bit hot at 55 degrees Celsius (still within acceptable levels) and the capacity provided was already less than half of what the battery could provide at 1C discharge. Moving to 20C discharge rate the battery reached the cutoff voltage very quickly, so the 2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo batteries are definitely not able to handle 25C constant current load when they have trouble even at 20C.

The performance of the 2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo Battery in our tests:

– 438 mAh at 0.5A load (1C)
– 429 mAh at 2.5A load (5C)
– 412 mAh at 5.0A load (10C)
– 207 mAh at 7.5A load (15C)
– 38 mAh at 10A load (20C)
– 22 mAh at 12.5A load (25C)

In the end 2S 7.4V 500 mAh KingMax 25C LiPo batteries turned out to be a bit of a disappointment with more than 10% lower actual capacity than advertised and not even close to the discharge rates they are supposed to provide. These batteries should have been rated at not more than 440 mAh capacity and discharge rate of 10C-15C and not 25C as they claim to be.


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