How Do I charge my LiPo batteries properly

LiPo batteries, sometimes also referred to as Li-Poly batteries, are actually lithium-ion polymer batteries. These batteries are one step beyond the more commonly used lithium-ion batteries, technologicay speaking. LiPo batteries can be shaped into nearly any size or design, which makes them a more versatile option. In addition, this particular type of battery boasts a high charging efficiency, a very low self-discharge rate of less than 1 percent per month, and the potential to be charged up to 1,000 times, or in some instances, they can be charged more times than that.

How do I charge my LIPO batteries properly?I have just been hooking them up and charging them at 1.0 AMP takes about 3- 40 mins.

The maximum charge rate is different depending on the capacity (mAh) of the battery. Your mAh/1000 is the number you are looking for. A 1600mah lipo battery should be charged at 1600/1000 = 1.6 amps and your 2200mah lipo battery should be charged at 2200/1000 = 2.2 amps. If you are using cheap batteries like Turnigy, Zippy etc, take .2 amps off. (per Gray)

For a normal fast charge, you can charge it at 50% of the maximum charge rate without a problem, but your batteries will last longer if you charge them quite a bit below the max. You should wait at least an hour after a use before you recharge them.

Charging Rate

The generally accepted level of charge of a Li-Po battery is 1C. Therefore, the maximum charge rate of a battery will be found by dividing the capacity of the battery by 1 hour. In other words, you simply note the capacity of the battery in mAH, remove the "H" and you will have the maximum charge rate in mA.

A 700 mAH battery will be 700 mA (0.7 amps) maximum charge rate.
A 1500 mAH battery will be 1500 mA (1.5 amps) maximum charge rate.
A 2200 mAH battery will be 2200 mA (2.2 amps) maximum charge rate.

Proberly charge a LiPo battery

Buy a LiPo charger with balance charge for balancing LiPo packs so all cells get 4.2 volt at full charged. You probably will use more then lipo battery 3S in the future and then they have balance connector on the battery that You connect to the charger balance connector so the charger can balance charge all cells to bring them all up to about 4.2 volt for fully charged. Non balanced cells is bad in the long run. Many LiPo chargers has storage mode so it will charge/discarge to a set percentage for example 50% or 60% for You.
You can usually set percentage for charging so if you set it to 50% (assuming it is discarged below this) it will only charge to 50% and then abort the charging as completed. But usually one use the storage mode for storage charing and normal charge mode for charging to 100%.

For smaller LiPo packs that You have a safety LiPo sack for will be enough but You can put it in a cheramic pot also with a cap on if you want. It is special LiPo safe boxes/cases also (some cheaper, some very expensive boxes).

10 LiPo Battery Charging Safety Tips

1. Don’t charge LiPos unattended
2. Don’t puncture a LiPo cell
3. Take care not to short circuit the battery by plugging in connections backwards.
4. Store and charge batteries in a well-ventilated area
5. Charge LiPos inside of a LiPo storage pouch or other fireproof container and in a safe location
6. Charge at the rate recommended by the battery manufacturer.
7. LiPo batteries should only be charged on a charger that is specifically compatible with LiPo batteries
8. Make sure that the charger’s setting are set correctly for the battery pack that you are charging.
9. LiPos should be inspected before each charging to make sure that their is no visible damage that needs to be addressed before chargiung
10. Balance your battery pack with each charge to ensure correct charge per cell and have a longer lasting battery pack.