The capacity of your rechargeable LiPo Battery will gradually decrease over time and as it's used (charged/discharged). It will need to be replaced when it reaches 80% capacity. Charge cycles are only one factor that determines when it's time to replace the battery. See: Life Expectancy of the 11.1V battery compatible with Home Original
How you charge, use, and store the battery plays a significantly larger part in the battery's overall life expectancy. Heat, over-discharging, over-charging can all result in your battery swelling, failing to charge, or failing to discharge (meaning it won't work) and cannot be restored. Improper use is not covered under warranty.
It will need to be replaced if the battery has been damaged, or begins to swell, or become misshaped - it should be kept in a fireproof bag and away from anything flammable until it can be disposed of properly.
Some reasons to replace the battery include:
- If it's swollen or damaged
- If the outside wrapper is torn, damaged, or missing
- If the battery was subjected to temperatures over 170ºF for more than 2 hours
- If the battery was used in an unbalanced state and refuses to recharge
- If the battery voltage drops below minimum voltage
- If the maximum voltage is exceeded
- You experience a decline in performance
- Failure to charge
- Failure to work, even if the charger shows all three green lights (if you do not have the charger that shows the actual voltage)
- If the battery was stored for an extended period time and was not recharged and discharged every 3 months (or the timeframe recommended by the manufacturer)
- If the battery has been charged/discharged around 150-250 times
- If the maximum capacity has declined to 80% of the original capacity
IMPORTANT: Leaving the LiPo battery plugged into the main drive unit when not in use is not recommended. The battery may continue to drain - and if the voltage drops below the minimum voltage this will permanently damage the battery. ALWAYS disconnect the battery from the drive when not in use.
IMPORTANT: charge to the maximum capacity before use every time to assure proper balance of all cells inside the battery.
If the battery is used before it indicates the battery is fully charged ,the voltage may be imbalanced - this may permanently damage the battery causing it to stop taking or holding a charge. The battery might also swell and become a fire or explosion hazard.
Notes:
You can stop charging before it reaches full and continue charging later - as long as you don't USE it until it has been fully charged.
If your battery swells, fails to charge or hold a charge - the battery needs to be replaced. Please dispose of the batteries responsibly. Dispose of LiPo Battery Responsibly
CAUTION: The battery should always be allowed to come to room-temperature before charging. Charging a hot or cold battery might delay charging or damage the battery. For best results, charge the battery at temperatures between 50º and 80ºF (10º-30ºC).
Disclaimer
The advice given above is general in nature and you are responsible for the safety of your batteries. SwiftPaws is not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages and personal injuries, including that to life, and health, resulting from the customer’s application and use of batteries.