Li-Po batteries are also known as Lithium polymer batteries with a maximum voltage of 4.2V and a normal running voltage of 3.7V. Li-Po is the first choice of anyone looking for long runs and is the most popular among the radio control industry.
For understanding their performance it’s important to learn how these batteries are made. These batteries contain polymer as an electrolyte.?The making process of this battery starts with mixing materials into what is called a slurry, to make the two main components of the battery cell; The cathode and the anode. Inside the battery, these two react with the electrolyte to produce the electrons and power electronics.
The slurry goes through a coding process that includes the addition of the current collector for transporting the electrons produced by the battery cell, the mixture then undergoes drying steps to remove solvents.
The third step is called calendar, the resulting material needs to be pressed to ensure that they are evenly distributed. This material is then made into sheets that need to be cut for getting the proper width for the final assembly.??
Finally, the sheet is rolled tightly so that it fits into a cylindrical aluminium casing that will then be hermetically sealed so that no moisture or water can get inside the case of the battery cells. Then these battery cells undergo testing to see that they can discharge and charge quickly and withstand high temperatures.
In this above-mentioned way, these battery cells are made and ensured that they are protected from moisture and water but when they are assembled to make a battery then it’s very important to make that assembly casing waterproof with proper sealing because if moisture gets inside that casing it would damage the cell body by causing corrosion.
Are these batteries waterproof? Yes, the way these batteries are assembled makes them waterproof. The cells are sealed within the pack but if water gets in between the cells then it could cause coronation to the cells.
Pros. of Li-Po Batteries:
Physically these batteries are much lighter in weight and can be manufactured in any size or shape. These batteries can hold much more power than others in their families due to having higher capacities. They have a strong punch due to having higher discharge rates.
Cons. of Li-Po Batteries:
Their lifespan is much shorter having 150 to 250 cycles. If punctured, it could catch fire and it needs special care for charging, discharging, and storage. Overcharging the battery above 4.2V may also set the battery on fire.
CAN LI-PO BATTERY GET WET:
Yes, these batteries may get wet. The first and foremost thing to do is find the leak from where the water got inside. And it would be best if you first let them dry before charging or using them again. If not dried properly after getting wet, they could even get damaged by water. Why is that? Well, you see the cells inside are waterproof and properly sealed but if the water gets in between the cells inside the body then it could cause corrosion and will harm your battery big time.
HOW DO YOU PROTECT LI-PO BATTERIES?
Li-Po batteries come in two types one with a thin shrink-wrapped plastic around them called soft plastic casing and the other with a hard-plastic casing. This is because some customers want lightweight no protection, but it is very much important to use a hard-plastic covered battery to protect it.
For the battery to be protected from the water they must be enclosed within a hard casing. With this, there is also an advantage of the soft casing. It is that when a cell starts to swell inside it is seen and dealt with, but if the same happens with a hard-cased battery, the result is that it will burst, destroying the battery and damaging the device it is installed in.
There must be a way to prohibit these batteries from getting wet, no? Well, yes there is a very simple way of doing so. You just need to go to the auto-part store and grab automotive-grade stuff from there. After that, you just need to put that inside the assembled joints of the battery and from where the wires come out. You’ll have to make sure that you have properly sealed all the openings from where the water can go inside, and your waterproof battery is ready.
The second method is just buying an electrical tape and a bottle of plastidip. Apply the tape firstly around the corners of the battery and then wrap it up on the whole battery covering every inch of its casing. Then take a brush, perhaps a colouring brush, a small one and apply the plastidip with this brush around the casing from there the connector wires come out of the battery. Apply it carefully so that no spot is left unsealed. Your waterproof battery is ready.
HOW IS THE WATERPROOF PERFORMANCE OF LI-PO BATTERIES?
The waterproof performance of the battery is very satisfying. You won’t be worried if the battery accidentally falls in the water or your device gets wet in any way. For example, if you have made your electric car’s battery waterproof then you can play with it anywhere even on a beach without worrying about the moisture or even the water getting inside the battery, well for this to work your motor has to be waterproof as well or you will save the battery and destroy the motor, so be careful.
We have learned how these battery cells are made and how they are assembled in making a battery, type of a casing of these batteries, and how you can make these batteries waterproof yourself. The battery cells are however sealed and waterproof, but the battery isn’t. We have learned two ways of making the battery waterproof and both the methods are very much safe to try. It will improve the device’s performance once it's waterproof and release your tension as well.
lithium-ion battery e-bike battery lithium battery