🔋 Battery & Power

🔋 Storage charge

Bringing a LiPo to about 3.8V per cell for storage — the voltage the chemistry is happiest sitting at.

Most chargers have a Storage mode. Never leave a LiPo full or empty for long.

What it actually does

A LiPo left sitting at full charge degrades noticeably faster than one left at roughly half charge. Storage charge is the setting on your charger that takes a pack to about 3.8V per cell — the voltage the chemistry is happiest sitting at — and it is the difference between packs that last years and packs that puff up in a season.

In practice

Almost every modern balance charger has a "Storage" mode that will either charge up or discharge down to reach that per-cell voltage, whichever direction the pack needs. Use it any time a pack will not be run within a day or two, and before any period of storage over winter.

Worth knowing

Storage charge is not a substitute for checking a pack. Inspect for swelling and damage before putting packs away, and store them somewhere cool and dry on a non-flammable surface.

← All RC terms