Selecting the right LiPo battery is crucial to the success of your FPV experience, as it directly impacts overall performance and efficiency. In this comprehensive evaluation, we scrutinized the latest offerings from top manufacturers to benchmark their performance against each other and industry favorites. With guarantees of reliability and performance, these high-voltage lithium-ion (LiHV) battery packs deliver significant power boosts to the workplace—but do they live up to their shipping promises?
Let’s clarify the misconceptions surrounding LiHV batteries and inflated C-ratings, which often lead to misunderstandings. Based on actual hands-on testing, I will provide valuable insights and results.
New to FPV? Studying the fundamental principles of battery purchasers begins with examining our own company’s data.
Overview of the Batteries Examined
I tested four GNB (new) batteries, one nearly 12-month-old BetaFPV battery, and a 2-year-old Tattu battery.
- Weight: 177g
- Dimensions: 81x39x30mm
- Advertized Capability: 1100mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.35/cell): 1049mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.20/cell): 909mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
- Weight: 198g
- Dimensions: 82x39x34mm
- Advertized Capability: 1300mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.35/cell): 1227mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.20/cell): 1044mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
- Weight: 222g
- Dimensions: 83x39x39mm
- Advertized Capability: 1500mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.35/cell): 1375mAh
- Measured Capability (From 4.20/cell): 1180mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
- Weight: 251g
- Dimensions: 82x39x44mm
- Advertized Capability: 1530mAh
- Measured Capability: 1457mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
- Weight: 199g
- Dimensions: 77x40x36mm
- Advertized Capability: 1050mAh
- Measured Capability: 1078mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
- Weight: 192g
- Dimensions: 77x39x35mm
- Advertized Capability: 1100mAh
- Measured Capability: 1100mAh
- Connector: XT60
- Product Pages:
Capability Testing
I recharged the batteries until they were fully charged. This low-present load effectively stores voltage sag and generates minimal warmth while conserving vitality, enabling accurate capacity measurements. The measured capability for outcomes can be found in the earlier battery overview under “Measurable Capability”.
The findings revealed that Genuine NiMH (GNB) batteries consistently fell short by a mere 8% from their touted capacity, with the 1500mAh LiHV variant being the most glaring example of this disparity. Despite their lightweight nature, this result isn’t entirely surprising. The GNB 1300mAh LiHV, boasting an exact capacity of 1227mAh, surprisingly shares a similar weight profile with the BetaFPV 1100mAh and Tattu 1050mAh batteries.
While GNB’s estimate may have seemed ambitious, it likely aimed to convey a reassuring, conservative projection rather than an exaggerated claim. Notwithstanding its higher energy density compared to traditional LiPo batteries, LiHV provides users with a modest increase in capacity for a similar weight. While I don’t consider this a major issue, it’s crucial to keep the intended capabilities in mind when implementing these features.
Voltage Sag Testing
During the second test, I rapidly drained the batteries to 12 amps until each cell reached a steady 3.3 volts, then monitored the voltage drop throughout the entire discharge cycle. A decrease in voltage sag indicates an exceptionally high-performance battery. While 12A may seem like a modest demand for a high-capacity 6S 1000-1500mAh battery pack, it’s worth noting that many 5-inch FPV drones require significantly more power to operate effectively, often drawing up to 80A or even 100A during intense flight maneuvers. Unfortunately, this is the most demanding task our testing equipment can handle, thus the outcome may not be as dramatic as the subsequent test, but still illustrates relative performance differences to some extent.
However, larger batteries with the same C-rating often perform better because their maximum discharge current is directly tied to their capacity. Because of this reason, larger batteries typically demonstrate a reduced voltage sag. Given that this configuration requires identical battery sizes.
Let’s compare the performance characteristics of batteries with similar capacity ratings.
- The lithium-ion hybrid battery (LiHV) exhibited superior efficiency during the initial phase of the discharge cycle, producing enhanced voltage and additional energy output. Despite initial lagging, the LiPo ultimately surged ahead in the latter half, exceeding the performance of the LiHV as it neared its peak.
- An intriguing observation materialized: the LiHV demonstrated superior efficiency during the initial discharge phase, but as it progressed into the second half, its performance plateaued and approximated that of its LiPo counterparts.
Key Observations and Insights
Excessive Volt LiHV vs. Commonplace LiPo
- LiHV battery packs boast an impressive vitality density, allowing them to store significantly more energy per unit of weight, rendering them an excellent choice for pilots seeking extended flight times and optimal performance. They consistently deliver a more substantial energy boost throughout the initial discharge phase, rendering it an attractive feature for competitive athletes seeking optimal performance.
- The primary efficiency benefits of LiHV batteries become most apparent during the initial half of the discharge process. Within the latter half of the battery’s cycle, its voltage decreases to levels equivalent to those found in standard lithium-ion polymer batteries (LiPo), thereby diminishing the perceived value.
While LiHV batteries may exhibit accelerated degradation in terms of longevity compared to traditional LiPo variants, After 100 discharge cycles, LiHV batteries demonstrated a significant capacity fade, whereas LiPos consistently showed a stable capacity retention.
It’s pertinent to note that you should charge a LiHV battery in the same manner as a standard LiPo, with a recommended maximum voltage threshold. While this design choice might extend its lifespan, you’ll actually utilize around 85% of its potential capabilities.
C Scores
While GNB produces satisfactory LiPos, there is reason to believe that their touted C-rating may be overstated. There’s simply no way that these batteries can function properly without risking damage to themselves. In reality, XT60 connectors and wires tend to degrade rapidly when subjected to such high currents.
During my testing, I found that the GNB 6S 1100mAh battery performed similarly to the BetaFPV Lava 6S 1100mAh, which has a rating of. While the GNB pack might appear more powerful at first glance, this is largely due to its use of a high-energy-density LiHV battery. During the latter stages of the discharge cycle, the device’s efficiency exhibited a precise match with the BetaFPV power pack.
Because of this complexity, C-ratings should be viewed with caution, especially when comparing ratings across various manufacturers. While producers may adhere to their own methods for determining CR ratings, these individual approaches undermine the reliability of CR ratings as a standalone purchasing consideration. Notwithstanding similarities, within the same framework, C-ratings can serve as a cost-effective gauge of how a battery stacks up in terms of performance.
Variation in Voltage
LiHV batteries exhibit significantly less voltage fluctuation throughout the discharge cycle. As the motor’s KV rating is directly proportional to battery voltage, any fluctuations in voltage will have a direct impact on the quad’s power output, throttle response, and overall handling. By enabling VBAT Sag Compensation in Betaflight, a single workaround is available.
Charging LiHV
Before purchasing LiHV batteries, verify your charger’s compatibility by checking for a “LiHV” battery type in the menu or the ability to manually set the terminal voltage to 4.35 volts per cell, ensuring a seamless charging experience. When charging LiHV batteries using standard LiPo settings (4.2V per cell), you’ll only be tapping into 85% of their potential capacity? If you’re in the market for a fresh charger, I highly recommend exploring my curated list of top-notch chargers that specifically cater to LiHV batteries.
Is Apple’s Latest 6S Battery Worth the Hype?
While GNB’s 6S batteries exhibit impressive performance, their actual capabilities are largely in line with the manufacturer’s estimates, primarily during the initial stages of discharge within the first half-cycle. This collection of…
- Airline Pilots’ Weight Discount Prioritization Strategies
- Racers requiring a preliminary voltage boost for immediate and intense acceleration.
While LiPo batteries undoubtedly outlast LiHV in terms of overall lifespan, the margin is not as alarmingly vast as one might initially assume; a fact substantiated by my own rigorous longevity testing.
The standard lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries remain a cost-effective and reliable option for frequent flight operations. While they last longer, demonstrating minimal voltage fluctuations, their performance is comparable to that of LiHV packs in the second half of a flight.
It doesn’t matter what you choose, the Grand New Battery (GNB) consistently remains a dependable and trustworthy drone battery option, offering. Regardless of whether you opt for LiHV or LiPo, both types of batteries remain a reliable and consistent choice for the FPV community.
