Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

What effect will cold weather ( + 20 - 30 F ) flying have on lipo batteries. We are talking about a 3S - 2100 in a 27 oz. plane. Should I restrict in air flowing over the ESC & batteries at temps like this ?

Mayday!Mayday!

Don, in the winter I keep my lipo's warm (room temp) by either wrapping them in a towel in the car, or leaving the heat on.
When the lipo's get that cold they will not put out like they should. The flights are shorter and somewhat sluggish.
If you keep them warm until you are ready to connect them they will be fine.

Flypaper 2

Don:
Anything below freezing I use a foam envelope made from the foam that electronics comes in. About 1/8 in thick plastic foam. Taped together with scotch tape and a velcro closure and velcroed to the fuse. After a flight, the battery should come out warm. Without the envelope, a 15 min. flight batt. will only give a 5 min flight. Mind you my pinkies are nearly froze by then.

perttime

In freezing temps, I keep the battery in an inside coat pocket before flying, to keep it warm. Just make sure there is nothing there that could short the battery.

I have taped shut some of the ventilation that goes to the battery. That has the side benefit of keeping the snow on the outside too.

Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

All good ideas thank you. Actually I was worried about the battery while it is in the plane because I can charge in my heated garage and fly in my backyard.

tkilwein

I fly in -4F and I get ~30% capacity max at best.

Don M.

My Feedback: (5)

Do you mean you put the batteries in the plane warm ( room temp ) fully charged and still only get 30% capacity ?