Need help selecting the best battery for your needs?  Use this chart to compare all of the batteries we offer.

Which battery is best? Higher mAh or Higher C Rating

Many people have a tough time when comparing batteries. Is it better to get one with a higher mAh or a higher C rating? Unfortunately, the answer is "it depends". The problem is that the two work hand in hand. An easy way to understand the difference between the two is to think of a car.

You can think of mAh as the size of your gas tank. Imagine two identical cars except one has a 16 gallon tank and one has a 20 gallon tank. Obviously, the car with the bigger gas tank can travel longer.

 You can think of C as how fast the gas can be delivered to the engine. Imagine how much more powerful your engine would be if you could feed it gas through a garden hose versus trying to feed it gas through a straw. The higher C means you can draw more current for more power.

LiPo Battery Charging Tips**

·         Always use a charger made to charge LiPo packs.

·         Double check that the settings for the lithium polymer charger are correct for the pack being charged – this includes the cell count as well as the current settings.

·         In general, most lithium polymer batteries should be charged to no more than 4.2 volts per cell or depleted to less than 3.0 volts per cell. There are new generation batteries available that can handle higher / lower voltages, but they are still new and thus are the exception to the rule.

·         Ensure that charging leads are connected correctly. Reverse charging can lead to cell damage or a fire or explosion.

·         USE A LIPO SAFE CHARGING BAG! Always charge LiPo batteries on surfaces that won’t catch on fire such as cement, steel, ceramic or stone. Wooden tables and carpeted floors are not recommended charging surfaces.

·         Do not charge batteries near flammable products or liquids.

·         Never charge a LiPo battery while inside your model or other electronic device. If it catches fire it can lead to total destruction of the item it is being charged in.

·         LiPo batteries should be charged within a temperature range of 0C to 50C. Batteries charged outside this temperature range may experience leakage, heat generation or cell damage.

·         Never leave a charging lithium polymer battery pack unattended.

·         Do not charge inside an automobile, especially while driving.

·         Do not store batteries inside an automobile.

·         Do not charge a lithium polymer battery pack at a rate over 1C.

·         Never charge a LiPo pack that has ballooned or swelled due to over / under charging or from a crash.

·         Never charge a lithium polymer battery pack that has been punctured or damaged in a crash.

·         Never, under ANY circumstances let the positive and negative battery leads touch. It can lead to cell ballooning, cell damage or fire or an explosion.

·         Have a fire extinguisher near the charging area or a large bucket of dry sand. Do not try to distinguish with water.

·         If you notice your LiPo battery pack is swelling, stop the charging process immediately, put the battery in a safe container and observe it for 15 minutes.

LiPo Battery Handling & Storage**

·         Keep LiPo battery packs WELL out of reach of children.

·         Do not put battery packs in pockets or bags where they can short circuit.

·         Do not store or transport or store batteries where they can come into contact with sharp or metallic objects.

·         Do not store your LiPo pack in extreme temperatures below 0C or above 50C.

·         Always store your LiPo pack in a safe and non flammable container away from flammable objects. A LiPo Sack or metal / ceramic storage container is best.

·         Always store your LiPo’s partially charged. They will maintain their performance levels over time and there’s no need to cycle them unless stored for periods longer than 3-6 months.

Other LiPo Battery Tips**

·         Do not immerse the battery in water or allow the battery to get wet.

·         Do not short circuit the battery.

·         Do not pierce the lithium polymer battery with a sharp object – it will lead to ignition or an explosion.

·         Do not short circuit the battery.

·         Do not solder directly to the battery.

·         Do not hit the battery with a hard object such as a hammer or rock.

·         Do not dispose of in fire or heat.

·         Do not use the battery with the positive and negative terminals reversed.

·         Do not disassemble or modify the battery.

·         Do not fully discharge your LiPo battery pack. Discharging a LiPo beyond it’s critical minimum voltage (often 3.0v) can cause damage to the battery.

·         Do not breath in the smoke fumes of a LiPo battery that is on fire. They are toxic.

·         When mailing or shipping LiPo batteries, always ship them at a 30% charged state for safety reasons.

·         When storing batteries for extended periods, store at a half charged state.

·         To dispose of a LiPo battery, discharge it fully then place it in a bucket of salt water for one week. To dispose of, follow your municipal battery disposal guidelines.

·         If your battery becomes damaged, do not place it on a flammable surface - it’s possible that a chemical reaction can take place which could cause a fire. Put the battery in a safe and non flammable place and observe it for at least an hour.

·         If the electrolyte in the cells gets on your skin, thoroughly wash with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with cool water and seek immediate medical attention.

·         Finally, always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and charging guidelines for lithium polymer battery packs.

* Information provided by RCHeliWiki.com

** Information provided by RCHeliSite.com