Hey guys so a battery came in today, my first one.. my charger is back ordered and I have no idea when it's coming... But I didn't realize they shipped at 30% using my multi meter it reads 14.9 now I've done some research on lipos and still confused about voltages.. But right now I need to know will it be safe at 14.9 volts for a little while? Thanks guys

The batteries are sent at their storage voltage (3.7-3.8 v per cell). While 'yes' the battery has charge, it wont give you much flight time. It will be worth the wait to charge it up full for your first flight. Have you ordered more than 1 battery?

(23-Oct-2017, 11:44 PM)Snuffypot11 Wrote: The batteries are sent at their storage voltage (3.7-3.8 v per cell). While 'yes' the battery has charge, it wont give you much flight time. It will be worth the wait to charge it up full for your first flight. Have you ordered more than 1 battery?

Okay, so I tried to check the voltage on the balance lead to see if the cells are all balanced, but the lead on my volt meter snapped at work so it wont fit in the balance lead. Btw it's a 4s turnigy nano tech. Assuming the pack is balanced, it should be fine if all the cells are at 3.7? And no I haven't ordered anymore, and all I did was plug it in to make sure my quad worked. I don't plan on flying until I can properly charge it. So I will also ask, what voltage should a full charge be? What voltage should I Land at? Thank you for your help!! I just wanted to make sure it's safe for storage

(23-Oct-2017, 11:52 PM)Jo3d26 Wrote: Okay, so I tried to check the voltage on the balance lead to see if the cells are all balanced, but the lead on my volt meter snapped at work so it wont fit in the balance lead. Btw it's a 4s turnigy nano tech. Assuming the pack is balanced, it should be fine if all the cells are at 3.7? And no I haven't ordered anymore, and all I did was plug it in to make sure my quad worked. I don't plan on flying until I can properly charge it. So I will also ask, what voltage should a full charge be? What voltage should I Land at? Thank you for your help!! I just wanted to make sure it's safe for storage

Yes its safe for storage, and fine for testing that your quad is setup. A full charge is 4.2v per cell (16.8v total for your 4cell). Storage is usually around 3.7-3.8v per cell. Landing voltage is something that is up to the individual as everyone has different ideas. But a few things to keep in mind is voltage sag and minimum safe lipo voltage. Voltage will be lower under load (when flying) and when you land the voltage will recover a little. 3v per cell is the minimum voltage a lipo should have before it may take damage (I've seen some argue 2.7v). I don't recommend discharging this close to the minimum. I have an alarm for 3.4v under load myself, recovery is usually 3.5-3.6 (but your setup and batteries will differ)

(24-Oct-2017, 12:41 AM)Snuffypot11 Wrote: Yes its safe for storage, and fine for testing that your quad is setup. A full charge is 4.2v per cell (16.8v total for your 4cell). Storage is usually around 3.7-3.8v per cell. Landing voltage is something that is up to the individual as everyone has different ideas. But a few things to keep in mind is voltage sag and minimum safe lipo voltage. Voltage will be lower under load (when flying) and when you land the voltage will recover a little. 3v per cell is the minimum voltage a lipo should have before it may take damage (I've seen some argue 2.7v). I don't recommend discharging this close to the minimum. I have an alarm for 3.4v under load myself, recovery is usually 3.5-3.6 (but your setup and batteries will differ)

Okay awesome thank You! Now I know I want to get a low voltage alarm.. Do you use the one you plug into the balance lead? Currently I have no way to know when to land except personal timing.. But I want either an OSD or low voltage alarm in the future. Preferably before I start flying I just don't know which way to go.

(24-Oct-2017, 01:07 AM)Jo3d26 Wrote: Okay awesome thank You! Now I know I want to get a low voltage alarm.. Do you use the one you plug into the balance lead? Currently I have no way to know when to land except personal timing.. But I want either an OSD or low voltage alarm in the future. Preferably before I start flying I just don't know which way to go.

I have both my OSD and telemetry to my transmitter to monitor voltage, so i can fly FPV or LOS and know my voltage. If you board has the option for a buzzer you can solder one on and configure the alarm via betaflight or cleanflight. Or as you suggested you could have a separate voltage checker that uses your balance lead (but this might get annoying to change between batteries all the time). If you don't have any of these yet, just take your multimeter to the field with you.

(24-Oct-2017, 01:33 AM)Snuffypot11 Wrote: I have both my OSD and telemetry to my transmitter to monitor voltage, so i can fly FPV or LOS and know my voltage. If you board has the option for a buzzer you can solder one on and configure the alarm via betaflight or cleanflight. Or as you suggested you could have a separate voltage checker that uses your balance lead (but this might get annoying to change between batteries all the time). If you don't have any of these yet, just take your multimeter to the field with you.

Oh okay. I do have a spot for a buzzer spot on my board, I can configure it to buzz at a voltage I set it to in clean flight? I haven't even flashed the software yet. Been slowly getting into this. Are there any limitations for buzzer use in clean flight? Like would my board have to have a current sensor in it for the buzzer pad?
I have a clone of the SPF3 (didn't know I was buying a clone) figured I'd use it while learning better to screw that up..

(24-Oct-2017, 02:05 AM)Jo3d26 Wrote: Oh okay. I do have a spot for a buzzer spot on my board, I can configure it to buzz at a voltage I set it to in clean flight? I haven't even flashed the software yet. Been slowly getting into this. Are there any limitations for buzzer use in clean flight? Like would my board have to have a current sensor in it for the buzzer pad?
I have a clone of the SPF3 (didn't know I was buying a clone) figured I'd use it while learning better to screw that up..

No current sensor needed, if the board has pads for a buzzer then all you need to do is solder one in. Then in cleanflight/betaflight you can set the limits under the 'Battery Voltage' section under configuration. You can also setup the buzzer as a lost model alarm by enabling it under 'modes' and assigning it to a switch on your transmitter if you want.

LiPo batteries have to be shipped at 30% charge for safety. They shouldn't be stored at 30% for longer than you have to.

I set my charger to store my batteries at 3.82 volts per cell.

Both Cleanflight and Betaflight have default settings for the low battery alarm, so just connect the beeper and you're good to go. The beeper is also very useful to find your quad in long grass or bushes. There's no need to waste a switch or an AUX channel. Just turn your radio off and the quad will start beeping.

I'd warn you against regularly sticking multimeter probes on your balance connector. It's far too easy to slip and short out a cell. With the amount of current a LiPo cell can deliver, you really don't want to experience what happens if you do accidentally short a cell via your probes. The spark and flash will make you jump out of your skin and probably weld your probes together at the same time!

A lot of information about batteries can be found in this article. Can be useful.

That's a great article you linked to there E.L.K.

Accurate information and well presented.

Thank you guys!! I have ordered a cell checker and pack of buzzers. I'll be setting it up in clean flight

Oh can anyone suggest good affordable batteries. I ordered one to see if I like it i have an 1800mah 35~70c 4s

(24-Oct-2017, 12:58 PM)Jo3d26 Wrote: Oh can anyone suggest good affordable batteries. I ordered one to see if I like it i have an 1800mah 35~70c 4s

The answer to that depends a lot on where you live, what with LiPo batteries being difficult to ship by air.

Generally, I'd say "buy from well known and trusted vendors", "buy trusted brands", "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is".

What kind of craft will you be putting that 1800mA/h 4S battery on?

(24-Oct-2017, 05:56 PM)unseen Wrote: The answer to that depends a lot on where you live, what with LiPo batteries being difficult to ship by air.

Generally, I'd say "buy from well known and trusted vendors", "buy trusted brands", "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is".

What kind of craft will you be putting that 1800mA/h 4S battery on?

Okay I live in the us, i don't like banggood but I don't know many others hobby king is where I ordered this battery from. I'm putting it on a 210 mini quad