CNHL LI-ION 4S 3200mAh: For Lengthy-Vary and not-so!

Initially, LI-ION battery packs for long-range drones had been home made by hobbyists. They linked 4 or 6 cells serially to realize the specified voltage. Sony VTC6 18650 batteries had been used probably the most attributable to their wonderful reliability. Panasonic and Samsung LI-ION proved to carry out effectively additionally. On this evaluation, we can have a better have a look at the CNHL LI-ION 4S 3200mAh pack.

The largest benefit of utilizing Li-Ion cells over LiPo ones is that they’ve the next capability for a similar weight. The CNHL LI-ION 4S 18650 3200mAh weighs solely 204g, whereas a 4S 1800mAh LiPo has practically the identical weight. So theoretically, it’s best to get near double the flight time!

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ChinaHobbyLine LI-ION 4S 3200mAh battery evaluation

Disclosure: I obtained these batteries as a part of a product evaluation collaboration with China Interest Line. Though the LI-ION packs had been provided totally free, all opinions on this article stay my very own, and I used to be under no circumstances influenced by the sponsor.

Upon my request, they despatched me three LI-ION 4S 3200mAh packs. Once I evaluation drone batteries, I prefer to have a couple of to check in the event that they carry out the identical. The packs got here in a not-too-fancy black field. To guard the batteries, they had been moreover wrapped in a bubble sheet.

The 4S LIION pack measures about 36x36x68mm and weighs 204 grams. The “4S” quantity implies that inside are 4 18650 cells linked serially. The pack is double-wrapped in pink and black nylon. On the entrance, there’s a sticker that reveals the fundamental parameters, and on the again, are some security suggestions. It has an ordinary stability port and XT60 discharge connector. Total, it feels strong and well-made.

Technical specs

Efficiency

Firstly I take a look at it with my FlyFish-RC Volador 5″ racer quad with Flash 2306 motors and KM55A ESC. The whole take-off weight is 691 grams. Regardless of being totally charged, the drone takes off at solely 60% throttle and the cell voltage drops in simply seconds from 4.18V to three.5V. It appears just like the 3C (burst 5C) just isn’t sufficient for this heavy and highly effective flying machine. To present it a second likelihood, I ordered an XT60 parallel adapter to strive doubling the C-ratting by utilizing two batteries on the identical time.

Subsequent, I take a look at it with a a lot lighter 3″ CineWhoop with 439 grams take-off weight, together with the battery. With this setup, I handle to fly however, at full throttle, nonetheless struggled to ship the required energy. To have the ability to fly and not using a fixed low-voltage alarm, I needed to change the set off from 3.4V to 3V. When the motors are armed (idle velocity), the drone requires 2A (33W). It absorbed 7A (114W) to rise from the bottom and wanted 16A (240W) to realize some velocity. At steady 15A utilization, the battery voltage dropped from 16.2V to 13.8V, which is quite a bit.

In the very best state of affairs, this pack may comfortably deal with solely an ultra-light 2.5″ Whoop, however these often use XT30 connectors, not XT60.

Charging and actual capability

Sometimes, 18650 lithium-ion cells will be charged as much as 4.2V and right down to someplace between 2V and 3V, relying on the technical specification for cut-off voltage. To be protected, by no means discharge decrease than 2.7-2.9V. After you land in the remaining state, it’s best to go as much as 3-3.2 volts. All the time use a devoted LI-ION charger to keep away from damaging the battery or, even worse, catching hearth.

To check the true capability of the battery, firstly, I did 5 charging cycles, then discharge it to three.1-V/cell  and cost it again at 3.2A (1C). My ToolKitRc M9 good costr permits me to cost LION batteries to 4.15V solely. When the charging program was completed, the show confirmed 2670mAh. In all probability, until 4.20V, you can squeeze one other 100-200 mah, however the 3200mah is sort of optimistic. To verify my measurements end result, I did one other experiment by charging two 4s/1300mAh LIPO packs utilizing a freshly charged CNHL LI-ION 4S 3200mAh, the tip voltage was 3.05V/cell -which implies that it was totally empty.

Pricing and availability

These 4S Lengthy-Vary LI-ION packs will be ordered with 26% off from the producer’s web site at simply $16.99 throughout their Spring Meg sale. There may be additionally an possibility for a 2500mAh model with the next C-rating (10C Continuous / 20C Burst) for $28.99 (with Samsung cells).

CNHL LI-ION 4S 3200mAh Lengthy-Vary battery: Who’s and What’s for?

Personally, I might not suggest these CNHL LI-ION 4S 3200mAh batteries for FPV drones. The 3C-6C (~10A-20A) is just too little for the job. As a substitute, the packs are good for powering your FPV Goggles, FPV monitor, or Transmitter. They can be utilized as a transportable energy supply to your pocket charger to refuel small 450-850mAh batteries proper on the flight discipline. I additionally use it along with my SEQURE SQ-001 60W soldering iron.

Li-Ion versus Li-Po batteries: Which is healthier for FPV drones?

Li-Ion batteries, or lithium-ion batteries, use a chemical response between two electrodes—a constructive, or anode, and a unfavorable, or cathode—to retailer vitality. In contrast to first-generation rechargeable batteries, akin to lead-acid, Li-ion batteries have the next vitality density and are able to charging and discharging many 1000’s of instances with little or no degradation of their capability over time. They’re additionally a lot lighter and smaller than different sorts of rechargeable batteries, making them appropriate for long-range drone flights (if they’ve at the least 30C). 

Li-Po batteries, or lithium polymer batteries, additionally encompass two electrodes and make the most of a chemical response to retailer vitality. They’re composed of a strong polymer electrolyte, permitting for a extra customized design. LI-PO batteries will be made in numerous sizes and shapes than Li-Ion batteries. LiPo packs have a a lot increased discharge price than Li-ion, that means you may get a lot increased present out of them. To present you an thought, a high-quality FPV LiPo usually has round 100C to 130C of steady discharge price, whereas Li-ion has solely 3 to 30C.

Comparability Desk