Thunder Power RC lithium polymer batteries use a different type of balance connector than the type on the Venom charger. But don’t worry, we have a special adapter cable to attach your Thunder Power 2 and 3 cell Li Polymers to the Venom 2s3s balance charger. This Thunder Power Charging Cable for Venom Balance Charger plugs directly into the 3 cell balance port. Thunder Power 3 and 2 cell batteries are compatible with this one adapter. Don’t worry about charging a 2 Cell TP pack using the adapter connected to the 3 cell balance tab on the Venom charger because the two tabs on the Venom charger go to the same internal connections within the charger.

How to connect your Thunder Power LiPo to the Venom VEN-0653 Balance Charger

1. Power up your Venom Balance Charger by connecting the included power adapter.
2. Plug the male end of the Thunder Power to Venom Balance Cable adapter into the 3 cell balance port on the Venom Charger.
3. Make sure nothing is connected to the power/charge leads on your Thunder Power battery.
4. Place the battery on a fire resistant surface like a pail of sand or in a LipoSack.
5. Plug the balance tab on your 2 or 3 cell Thunder Power RC lithium polymer battery to the female end of the balance charger adapter cable.
6. The Venom Balance Charger will automatically start charging and balancing each cell of your Thunder Power Lithium Battery though the balance tab - not the charge/power leads on the battery.
7. The charge light on the Venom charger will blink while charging and turn on steady when the battery is fully charged.
8. A complete charge will require between 1.5 to 2 hours for a 3s1320 LiPo.

Draganfly Innovations Inc. sells the Venom 2-Cell/3-Cell Balance Charger, the Thunder Power balance charging cable adapter for the Venom Charger, LipoSack charging safety bag, as well as the complete line of Thunder Power RC lithium polymer batteries. Remember, you get FREE shipping on all Thunder Power products!

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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If you need to store your lipoly batteries, we would like to help you make sure they are fresh the next time you need to use them. Li-Poly batteries do not handle being left in a fully charged or discharged state over an extended period.

To insure your lipo batteries do not loose capacity while left unused, please follow these basic steps:

1. Place your lipoly battery in a LipoSack
2. Charge the lithium polymer battery pack for storage to between 3.8V and 3.9V per cell (if your charger does not allow you to set the termination voltage, you can also fully charge the battery, and then discharge the battery to between 40-60% of its capacity. An awesome programmable lipoly charger is the Thunder Power 1010C)
3. Check the voltage of your lithium polymer batteries with a Digital Multi Meter once a month while they are in storage
4. Re-charge and balance your lipos as necessary to keep them between 3.8V and 3.9V per cell
5. Keep lithium polymer batteries inside the LipoSack and stored in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature of between 40 and 70 degrees F (4 to 21 degrees C)

When you need to use your lithium polymer batteries again, fully charge the lipo pack and it will be ready to go. Following the 5 easy steps above will help extend the life of your valued lipo batteries.

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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To dispose of LiPo cells and packs:

1. If any LiPo cell in the pack has been physically damaged, resulting in a swollen cell or a split or tear in a cell’s foil covering, do NOT discharge the battery. Jump to step 5.
2. Place the LiPo battery in a fireproof container or bucket of sand.
3. Connect the battery to a LiPo discharger. Set the discharge cutoff voltage to the lowest possible value. Set the discharge current to a C/10 value, with “C” being the capacity rating of the pack. For example, the “1C” rating for a 1200mAh battery is 1.2A, and that battery’s C/10 current value is (1.2A / 10) can be used, such as a power resistor or set of light bulbs as long as the discharge current doesn’t exceed the C/10 value and cause an overheating condition. For LiPo packs rated at 7.4V and 11.1V , connect a 150 ohm resistor with a power rating of 2 watts (commonly found at Radio Shack)to the pack’s positive and negative terminals to safely discharge connecting it to an ESC/ motor system and allowing the motor to run indefinitely until no power remains to further cause the system to function.
4. Discharge the battery until its voltage reaches 1.0V per cell or lower. For resistive load type discharges, discharge the battery for up to 24 hours.
5. Submerse the battery into bucket or tub of salt water. This container should have a lid, but it should not need to be air-tight. Prepare a plastic container (do not use metal) of cold water. And mix in 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water. Drop the battery into the salt water. Allow the battery to remain in the tub of salt water for at least 2 weeks.
6. Remove the LiPo battery from the salt water, wrap it in newspaper or paper towels and place it in the normal trash. They are landfill safe.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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1) How much current (Amps) with the connector handle?

The current rating is probably the most important feature to look at for the connector. Before choosing your connector you should ensure that the current rating on the connector is higher than the estimated current that your system will be drawing, so if you know you will be drawing 20 amps from the battery, it would be safe to use a connector rated at 30 amps. Using a connector that is rated at a lower current than you are drawing may cause the connector fuse together and possibly short out causing damage to the battery, speed control and other equipments. You should be able to find the current rating on the connector from the manufacturer or supplier.

2) Are there any special tools I will need to install it?

Most connectors can be easily soldered to the wire leads on the battery and speed controller. However some connectors such as Anderson Power Pole connectors require special crimping tools for installation.

3) Can it be accidentally plugged in backwards?

For batteries it is a good idea to choose a connector that is polarized, so there is an evident positive and negative on the connector and it can not be plugged in backwards. A good example of a polarized connector is a Deans Ultra Plug. Non-polarized connectors such as bullet connectors are good for connecting motors due to their small size however are not a good choice for connecting batteries as they can easily be connected backwards causing damage to the battery and electronics.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Lets say you just finished using your lithium polymer battery. It can be charged again without delay, as long as it isn’t hot. If it is hot, you will need to wait until it has cooled down; preferably to below 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit).

Your battery isn’t hot, so let the charging begin. The first steps are to power up your charger and connect your battery charge cable to the charger. You should plug in the charge cable before connecting it to the battery, because charge cables usually terminate in exposed bullet / banana connectors, which are easy to short to each other directly or via anything metal (i.e. the charger). Now you can connect the battery to the charger via the charge cable.

It’s time to set the charger’s settings. Whatever the input method, there are two important settings: charge voltage and current. The correct voltage setting is determined by the lithium polymer battery you are charging. Most batteries say their nominal voltage, with the common ones being 7.4V and 11.1V. This number is calculated as

Correct Voltage Setting = 3.7V * Number of Cells in Series

On small to medium sized lithium polymer batteries, the number of cells in series is simply the number of cells in the battery. However, on large batteries, some of the cells are wired in parallel and as such do not contribute to the correct voltage setting. The standard for writing the number of cells in series is Xs. For a small battery, like the Thunder Power Pro Lite 3s 1320mAh, we see that X=3. For this battery, correct voltage setting = 3.7V * 3 = 11.1 V.

Correct voltage setting now determined, all that remains is current setting. Current setting is largely up to the user. The most common and always correct setting is:

Standard Current Setting = Battery Capacity / 1h

Continuing with the above example, the battery capacity is 1320mAh. Therefore, standard current setting = 1320mAh / 1h = 1320mA = 1.32A. This is known as a 1C charge, because C is defined as 1 / 1h.

Some like to charge slower than 1C to be gentle with their batteries. However, there is no scientific evidence of slower charging leading to longer battery life. There are also a few chargers that charge faster than 1C to save time, such as the Thunder Power 1010C. These chargers are usually very specific about when this fast charging is safe; please follow the instructions and warnings they come with.

With those two settings set, you are ready to start the charge. Once the charging process has started, the charger takes care of everything. It will end the charge when the battery is full, at which time you can use it again. There is no need to wait between the end of a charge and the start of a discharge.

There are two ways of increasing the safety of your charges. One is to use a balancer, such as the Thunder Power 205V or 210V. The balancer will fight cell imbalance, and provide some a warning if the cells are dangerously imbalanced. The other is to place your battery somewhere nonflammable. Ask yourself, if this battery ignites, will anything nearby ignite as well? Leaving the battery on a wood counter or in a wood airplane is more risky than isolating it on a bare cement floor.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Thunder Power’s 350mAh Pro Lite 18C cell is their smallest. Offered only in 2s (22g) and 3s (33g) packs, this cell is meant for the smallest indoor airplanes. Common all-up-weights for a 350mAh-powered airplane are 3-6oz. These packs are available with a JST connector or with bare leads. A balance connector is not available, so max charge rate is 1C.

The Thunder Power 480mAh Pro Lite 15C cell is just a little larger. Offered only in 2s (23g) and 3s (34g) packs, this cell is meant for small indoor airplanes. Common all-up-weights for a 480mAh-powered airplane are 5-8oz. These packs are available with a JST connector or with bare leads. A balance connector is not available, so max charge rate is 1C.

Thunder Power’s 730mAh Pro Lite 13C cell bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor airplanes. It’s small enough for an indoor plane, but large enough for an outdoor plane. Common all-up-weights for a 730mAh-powered airplane are 7-13oz. It comes in 2s (34g) and 3s (49g) packs, and is available with a JST or with bare leads. A balance connector is not available, so max charge rate is 1C.

Thunder Power’s 910mAh Pro Lite 16C cell is for small outdoor airplanes weighing 9-15oz. It is available in 2s (46g) and 3s (65g) packs, and with a JST or bare leads. A balance connector is standard, so max charge rate is 3C.

The Thunder Power 1320mAh Pro Lite 13C cell can fuel a lot of very fun 10-20oz airplanes. The two 1320mAh packs are 2s (58g) and 3s (85g). A balance connector is standard, so max charge rate is 3C.

Thunder Power’s 2000mAh Pro Lite was released in early 2005. When it came out its performance eclipsed the competition. It had lithium polymer’s incredible energy density and revolutionary power density. It also premiered a second revolution: the balance connector. To this day, no one – not even Thunder Power – has been able to better it. More recent batteries do offer considerably better power density (higher voltages under higher loads), but that is at the expense of energy density (they weigh more for the same capacity). The 2000mAh Pro Lite cell remains the best choice for any model that has to run longer than 15 minutes, and a very competitive cell for 12-15 minute run times. Because of its performance, Thunder Power uses it in a huge range of packs, from 2s1p 2000mAh to 5s4p 8000mAh and 10s2p 4000mAh.

Some of us have seen electric aircraft with stunning performance. Key to this performance is a high C rating and high power density. Thunder Power’s take on this is the Pro Lite 2100mAh cell. Rated at 24C burst, this battery attracts attention from the glow crowd. It is available in 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s; and in 1p (2100mAh) and 2p (4200mAh). A balance connector is standard, so 3C charging is available.

Thunder Power has developed a cell specifically for the T-Rex 450. It is the eXtreme Series 2070mAh, in 3s form. This cell unlocks the extreme performance possible with a T-Rex, and will do it over a long cycle life (the T-Rex is known for killing other cells faster than usual). The 2070mAh eXtreme Series cell is available in 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s, all with a balance connector and 3C charge rates.

Thunder Power’s eXtreme Series cells – 2200mAh, 3300mAh, 3400mAh, 3800mAh, 3850mAh, 4500mAh, 4600mAh, and 5000mAh - are all about power. With 22-25C continuous and 50C burst ratings, these cells seriously perform in the most demanding applications, like electric ducted fans and 3D helicopters. eXtreme Series cells are available in 3s, 4s, and 5s packs, all with a balance connector and 3C charge rates. A few special 2s or 2p packs are available, too.

Packs with higher capacities than the above cells are made by combining 2 or more cells in parallel.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Lithium polymer batteries are damaged by:

• Mechanical deformation
• High temperature (above 60degC / 140degF)
• High voltage (above 4.2V/cell)
• Deep discharge (below 3.0V/cell in use, 3.3V/cell recovered, or 3.7V/cell storage)
• Rapid discharge (shorting cells or using above recommend discharge rates)

Of these, high voltage is the most difficult to control. Batteries made of lithium polymer cells wired in series will naturally, with time and cycles, become imbalanced. That is, each cell will be at a slightly different voltage.

This leads to high voltage while charging, as the charger can only read the average cell voltage. The charger will bring the pack to an average of 4.2V / cell, but one or more cells are above 4.2V / cell. Slight imbalance is always present -even in a battery that is new and balanced by the factory - and does no harm, but large imbalance does harm and is prevented by a balancer.

A balancer connects to a battery via cell taps. Cell taps are small wires soldered onto each cell’s tabs. The balancer thus has direct access to every cell, allowing it to adjust individual cell voltages by dissipating the energy as heat, or re-routing it to cells of lower voltage.

The tangible benefits of this include:

• Stronger performance throughout the battery’s life
• Longer battery life (more cycles)
• Ability to eliminate one cause of cell combustion, namely cell over voltage while charging due to imbalance

Though every brand and model of cell balancer works a little different, the general procedure for their use is: Connect the balancer to the battery before charging, charge, and remove balancer when charge is complete. Regarding frequency of use, a balancer can be used with every charge, though this isn’t necessary if the battery is in good condition. Most users feel the extra effort of using a balancer with every charge is worth the added safety features.

Examples of good commercially available balancers are the 205V and 210V from Thunder Power.

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Voltage, Cell Count And C Rating:
The nominal voltage of each cell is 3.7V, but can go down to 3.3V during discharge, and up to 4.2V when fully charged. A battery pack is usually composed of two or more cells put together in series for increased voltage, or in parallel for increased capacity. The C rating denotes how quickly a battery can be discharged (a rating of 1C continuous would mean that a 2000mAh battery should not be discharged any faster than 2000mA or 2A, which would take one hour). A 2000mAh pack rated at 12C continuous would be able to discharge at 12 times its capacity (12 x 2000mA = 24000mA or 24A) at which rate it would discharge in 1/12th of an hour. If you know how much continuous current you will be drawing and the capacity of the pack you want to use, you can easily determince what C rating you require. If you are drawing 5A from a 1320mAh pack, just take the current and divide by the capacity: 5A = 5000mA, 5000mA / 1320mAh = 3.8C. Using a pack with a higher C rating than you require will leave some headroom, and extend the life of your battery. Batteries are also given a C rating in terms of burst, which is how quickly the battery is able to discharge for a short period. A burst rating of 20C would mean a 2000mAh battery could supply 20 x 2000mA = 40000mA or 40A for a few seconds at a time.

Naming Conventions:
Lithium Batteries are also know as LiPo, Li-Po, LiPoly, or Li-Poly. The pack configuration is denoted by the number of cells in series and the number of cells in parallel. A 3s2p pack would have three cells in series, and 2 cells in parallel, using a total of 3×2=6 cells. A 4000mAh 3s2p pack would have a capacity of 4000mAh, and a voltage of 11.1V (3 x 3.7V). It would internally consist of six 3.7V 2000mAh cells. The cells would be doubled up (the 2p part of 3s2p) to get 4000mAh, and there would be three in series (the 3s part of 3s2p) to get 3 x 3.7V = 11.1V.

Which Battery Is Best For Me?:
To select a battery, you first need to know what voltage you require and how much current you will be drawing continuously. If you have a motor that works with 11.1V, you would need a 3 cell battery. If you need to draw 20A, and you would like to have a 10 minute (1/6th of an hour = 6C) flight, you would need a battery with 20A / 6 = 3.3A = 3300mAh. This means you would need a 3s 3300mAh battery with a C rating of 6 or higher.

Safety Precautions:
Never charge a lithium battery if it is below 3.0V per cell, puffed up, or damaged. Always place on a fire-proof surface when charging. Only use chargers designed to work with Lithium Polymer batteries. Never leave your battery unattended while charging.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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* This document is also available for download.

The following terms all mean “Lithium Polymer Battery”

• Lithium Polymer
• Li Polymer
• LiPoly
• LiPolys
• Li Poly
• Li-Poly
• LiPo
• Li Po
• Li-Po

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS:

• You must read and understand these safety instructions and warnings before using or charging your lithium polymer batteries.
• Lithium Polymer batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow the below instructions may result in fire, personal injury and damage to property if charged or used improperly.
• Thunder Power, its distributors or retailers assume no liability for failures to comply with these warnings and safety guidelines.
• By purchasing this battery, the buyer assumes all risks associated with lithium batteries. If you do not agree with these conditions, return the battery immediately before use.

General Guidelines and Warnings:

1. Use specific Lithium Polymer charger only. Do not use a NiMH or NiCd charger - Failure to do so may a cause fire, which may result in personal injury and property damage.
2. Never charge batteries unattended. When charging LiPo batteries you should always remain in constant observation to monitor the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur.
3. Some LiPo chargers on the market may have technical deficiencies that may cause it to charge the LiPo batteries incorrectly or at an improper rate. It is your responsibility solely to assure the charger you purchased works properly. Always monitor charging process to assure batteries are being charged properly. Failure to do so may result in fire.
4. If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon or swell up, discontinue charging process immediately, disconnect the battery and observe it in a safe place for approximately 15 minutes. This may cause the battery to leak, and the reaction with air may cause the chemicals to ignite, resulting in fire.
5. Since delayed chemical reaction can occur, it is best to observe the battery as a safety precaution. Battery observation should occur in a safe area outside of any building or vehicle and away from any combustible material.
6. Wire lead shorts can cause fire! If you accidentally short the wires, the battery must be placed in a safe area for observation for approximately 15 minutes. Additionally, if a short occurs and contact is made with metal (such as rings on your hand), severe injuries may occur due to the conductibility of electric current.
7. A battery can still ignite even after 10 minutes.
8. In the event of a crash, you must remove battery for observation and place in a safe open area away from any combustible material for approximately 15 minutes.
9. If for any reason you need to cut the terminal wires, it will be necessary to cut each wire separately, ensuring the wires to not touch each other or a short may occur, potentially causing a fire.
10. To solder a connector: Remove insulating tape of Red wire and solder to positive terminal of a connector, then remove insulating tape of Black wire and solder to the negative terminal of connector. Be careful not to short the wire lead. If you accidentally cause the battery to short, place it in a safe open space and observe the battery for approximately 15 minutes. A battery may swell or even possibly catch fire after a short time.
11. Never store or charge battery pack inside your car in extreme temperatures, since extreme temperature could ignite fire.

Charging Process:

1. Never charge batteries unattended.
2. Charge in an isolated area, away from other flammable materials.
3. Let battery cool down to ambient temperature before charging.
4. Do not charge batteries packs in series. Charge each battery pack individually. Failure to do so may result in incorrect battery recognition and charging functions. Overcharging may occur and fire may be the result.
5. When selecting the cell count or voltage for charging purposes, select the cell count and voltage as it appears on the battery label. As a safety precaution, please confirm the information printed on the battery is correct.
   1. Example: The label on a 2-Cell battery pack in series will read – “Charge as 2-Cell (7.4V), or may cause fire” – You must select 2-Cell for charging.
   2. Example: The label on a 3-Cell battery pack in series will read – “Charge as 3-Cell (11.1V), or may cause fire” – You must select 3-Cell for charging.
6. Selecting a cell count other than the one printed on the battery (always confirm label is correct), can cause fire.
7. You must check the pack voltage before charging. Do not attempt to charge any pack if open voltage per cell is less than 3.3v
   Examples:
   • Do not charge a 2-cell pack if below 6.6v
   • Do not charge a 3 cell pack if below 9.9v
8. You must select the charge rate current that does not to exceed 1C (one times the capacity of the battery). A higher setting may cause fire. The below chart is calculated at 1 x capacity of pack.
   Examples:
   • 730 mAh: Charge below 730 mA
   • 860 mAh: Charge below 860 mA
   • 1320 mAh: Charge below 1.32 Amps
   • 2100 mAh: Charge below 2.1 Amps
   • 8000 mAh: Charge below 8 Amps

First Discharge:

Keep to 6-minute sessions with 15-minute breaks.

Storage & Transportation:

1. Store battery at room temperature between 40 and 80 degrees F for best results.
2. Do not expose battery pack to direct sunlight (heat) for extended periods.
3. When transporting or temporarily storing in a vehicle, temperature range should be greater than 20 degrees F but no more than 150 degrees F.
4. Storing battery at temperatures greater than 170 degrees F for extended periods of time (more than 2 hours) may cause damage to battery and possible fire.

Caring For Your Lithium Polymer Battery:

1. Charge battery with good quality Lithium Polymer charger. A poor quality charger can be dangerous.
2. Set voltage and current correctly (failure to do so can cause fire).
3. Please check cell voltage after the first charge.
   Examples:
   • 1-Cell: 4.2V (4.15 to 4.22)
   • 2-Cell: 8.4V (8.32 to 8.44)
   • 3-Cell: 12.6V (12.48 to 12.66)
   • 4-Cell: 16.8V (16.64 to 16.88)
   • 5-Cell: 18.5V (18.30 to 18.60)
4. Do not discharge battery to a level below 3V per cell under load. Deep discharge below 3V per cell can deteriorate battery performance.
5. Use caution to avoid puncture of the cell. Puncture of cells may cause a fire.

Operating Temperature:

• Charge:
  • 32 to 113 degrees F
  • Let battery cool down to an ambient temperature before charging.
• Discharge:
  • 32 to 140 degrees F
  • During discharge and handling of batteries, do not exceed 160 degrees F.
• Battery Life
  • Batteries that lose 20% of their capacity must be removed from service and disposed of properly.
  • Discharge the battery to 3V/Cell, making sure output wires are insulated, then wrap battery in a bag for disposal.

Product Warranty:

Product warranty is limited to original defects in material and workmanship. Warranty does not cover collateral damage. Due to the nature and use of this product there is no term warranty. Misuse, abuse, incorrect charging and other inappropriate use of this product are not covered under warranty.
Thunder Power RC
4720 West University Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: (702) 228-8883 Fax: (702) 228-8885
www.thunderpowerrc.com

*** If you do not agree with these conditions, return the lithium polymer battery immediately and before any use.

——
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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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