Hello and welcome to the very first session of Airsoft Basics, a series of short Airsoft tutorials to keep you informed and ready for the battlefield. I'm your host Diles 46. Let's begin the lesson.  LiPO batteries and chargers LiPo Batteries. Eventually you will end up using LiPO batteries for your AEG if you're not already using Lithium Polymer batteries, or LiPo’s for short, have many benefits over the default nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries, or NiMh for short. 

LiPo battery cells are much smaller and thinner and pack a much bigger punch. This makes for a stronger voltage and higher capacity option that can fit in a smaller battery compartment on your AEG. However, just like Uncle Ben said, “Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.” 

Yes LiPo’s give you great power but they require a bit more care and gentle handling. The side effect of a damaged LiPo cell can result in a risky failure. A visible puffy or bloated look to your LiPo battery pack is a dead giveaway that it's time to retire that battery pack. Your city's local waste collection facility will have a lipo safe recycling program for you to drop off all your LiPo’s that are dun-zo. It's not always scary with LiPo’s as long as you follow these Five Easy Steps.

Step 1 Use a LiPo Safe Bag

Step One always use a lipo safe charging and storage bag when you're charging or 

storing your LiPo’s. Some newer LiPo batteries will include this bag with it. A fire resistant bag will help minimize any Issues you face when charging or storing your LiPo’s. 

Step 2 Use a Balancing Plug

Step two: always use the balancing plug on your lipo to charge. This will help ensure that all the cells in the battery charge evenly and thus will discharge consistently if the Lipo is overcharged or charged out of sync with the other cells your lipo can quickly become compromised

Step Three Don’t Charge a LiPo on a NiMh Charger

Never try to charge your lipo on a nickel metal hydride charger just because the small Tamiya style plug fits does not mean that this is a safe option to charge your LiPo battery. Attempting this will destroy your lipo in a violent manner. 

Step 4 Use a LiPo Smart Charger

Consider investing in a quality  LiPo smart charger that will help you take care of your LiPo’s and lend them a long and healthy life Chargers like this one here from Titan power are as smart as they come the LED screen reads each individual cell's voltage and ensures a balanced charge as well as giving you the actual voltage Max numbers printed right on top of the unit.

Step 5 Don’t Force Your Battery

Never attempt to squeeze or push your LiPo into a cram compartment inside your AEG or transport your LiPo’s in a gear bag with shifting contents. Beware of anything that could 

potentially cut, tear, poke, or puncture the LiPo battery because if that happens you could face a serious problem. Ultimately, just take your time guys. Read the instructions and don't make any uneducated guesses. Hey you've got this! Thanks for watching I'm Diles 46 and we'll see you at the next session of Airsoft Basics!