VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ ENTIRELY BEFORE PURCHASING.
Lithium Polymer Charging, Handling, Safety Information
Disclaimer of Liability
 

Charging:

Lithium Polymer batteries have specific charging requirements and ONLY chargers rated for Lithium Polymer cells may be used.  The best chargers are those which require the user to manually select cell count and charge rate for each pack of cells, then automatically check to see that the settings are correct.  The E-Tec line of chargers belongs to this category.  Chargers which use only automatic detection of cell count (and on that basis set charge voltage) are prone to error, and can damage cells or cause a fire due to over-voltage charging of cells.  We recommend that these chargers be set manually, if used. Other chargers are set manually, but do not include a safety circuit to oversee that setting.  These are prone to user error, and should also be checked very carefully to insure proper use. 

For best results, a CC/CV charger, like those in the E-Tec line, should be used. These charge initially at a constant 4.2V and constant 1C rate, then taper the charge rate as the battery nears full capacity.  Cells are about 90% charged in one hour, and can be left connected for another 40-50 minutes to complete the charge. The maximum permissible charge voltage per cell is 4.25V. The maximum charge rate for Lithium Polymer cells is 1C (ex: 0.7A for the ET-0700 cell). Please do not charge your lithium polymer at any rate higher than 1C.  Doing so may reduce the capacity and life cycle of the cells, with very little savings in charge time. 

Many things we use in daily life - automobiles, steak knives, kitchen cleansers, and so on - can cause serious injuries and even death if not properly used and safety precautions heeded.  It is no different with Lithium Polymer batteries.  Here are some tips for safe charging: 

  • Be absolutely sure that the Lithium Polymer charger settings are correct for the battery pack being charged – both voltage and current settings
  • Care must be taken to charge on a fireproof surface, such as in an open-top box made of bricks.
  • Do not charge batteries near flammable items or liquids
  • Keep a dry fire extinguisher nearby - or a large bucket of dry sand, which is a cheap and effective extinguisher.  Using water should be avoided.
  • Do not charge inside an automobile, especially while driving
  • Batteries should NEVER be left unattended while charging

Handling:

New cells may have a high initial charge, and care must always be taken to insure that loose cells are not short circuited. Please: 

  • Do not put the loose cells in a pocket, bag, or drawer where they could short-circuit against other items, or the battery tabs could be pressed against each other.
  • Do not place the loose cells on any conductive surface, such as a metal-topped table.
  • Keep loose cells and battery packs WELL out of reach of children!
  • Buy pre-assembled packs from an authorized dealer, rather than assembling packs from loose cells
  • Take care that the cells are not punctured, especially by metallic objects like hobby knives.
  • If the electrolyte in the cells should get on your skin, thoroughly wash with soap and water. If in the eyes, rinse thoroughly with cool water. Immediately seek medical attention for this, or for burns.
  • Although environmentally friendly, lithium polymer cells must be FULLY discharged before disposal.  Use a resistor setup (light bulbs, for example) to accomplish this, to avoid the possibility of a short-induced fire after disposal.
The following is from the safety information provided by a Li-Po battery manufacturer, and is typical of the safety tests we found. This does NOT necessarily mean that all Li-Po batteries would have the same result, but does show that Li-Poly batteries may be robust against various conditions found in RC use. Most interesting was one test we found in which the battery, when fully charged, was penetrated by a large nail, then discharged and gave 60% of normal capacity. On the subsequent charge/discharge cycle the same battery gave 90% of capacity.  These tests were conducted in a laboratory by professionals, and should not be duplicated at home.

SAFETY TEST  (TESTS, METHODS and RESULTS)
Vibration
Vibrate the pack in triaxial directions for 90~100min - frequency 10-55 Hz - amplitude 0.8 mm after standard charge
NO EXPLOSION, FIRE nor DEFORMATION
External short
Each test sample battery is to be short-circuited by connecting the (+) and (-) terminals of the battery with a minimum length of 1.3mm2 Cu wire. Batteries are discharged till reach at room temperature and
at 60oC.Tests conducted at room temperature and at 60oC
NO EXPLOSION, nor FIRE
Nail Penetration
Penetrate 2.5~5mm nail into cell body for 6hs
NO EXPLOSION, nor FIRE
Crush
Crush between two flat plates. Applied force is about 13kN.
NO EXPLOSION, nor FIRE
 

E-Tec RC Lithium Polymer Batteries are only approved for RC use, and may not be used in any other application.  Battery discharging, charging, electric motors, spinning propellers, and flying models all have the potential for serious injury to persons and damage to property.  In purchasing these products, the user agrees to accept responsibility for all such risks, and not to hold the E-Tec manufacturer, distributors, or retailers - (all including owners and employees) - responsible for any accident, injury to persons, or damage to property. 

As used in radio-controlled model aircraft, discharge rates exceed the manufacturer’s specified maximum rates for these cells.  Therefore, the use of E-Tec batteries in radio-controlled models is to be considered experimental, and there is no warranty, expressed or implied, by the manufacturer, distributors, or retailers with respect to the capacity, life in cycles, storage, or discharge characteristics of E-Tec cells in RC use, nor any other use nor aspect.

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability as to Products Sold

All Allerc.com products are guaranteed against defects for the period of 30 days. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, Allerc.com makes no representations or warranties, either express or implied, of any kind with respect to products sold on the Allerc.com site. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, Allerc.com expressly disclaims all warranties, express or implied, of any kind with respect to products sold on this site, including but not limited to, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. By placing an order, you agree that the sole and exclusive maximum liability to Allerc.com arising from any product sold on the Allerc.com sites shall be the price of the product ordered. In no event shall Allerc.com, its directors, officers, employees and representatives be liable for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages related to product sold.

Except in respect of death or personal injury caused by ALL e RC’s negligence, under no circumstances whatsoever shall ALL e RC be liable to the buyer for any loss or damage whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit or the loss of any other form of financial or non-financial benefit; loss of use of or damage to any property; work stoppage; any special, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage; costs; expenses; and other claims for compensation), arising out of or in connection with the sale of any ALL e RC product (including any misrepresentation (unless fraudulent); any breach of an implied or express warranty, condition or other term; or any breach of a common law duty), in an amount exceeding the price of the ALL e RC product giving rise to the claim, except as expressly agreed in writing by ALL e RC.