Warnings

Instructions and warnings when using LiPo batteries
General instructions
Lithium-Polymer batteries (abbreviated: LiPo batteries) require special handling. This applies
to charging and discharging as well as to storage and further use. You should pay attention to
the following specifications:
Incorrect handling can lead to explosions, fire, smoke development and risk of poisoning.
Failure to follow the instructions and warnings also leads to a reduction in the performance of the battery and
other defects.
The capacity of the battery decreases with each charge/discharge. This can also result in a gradual reduction in capacity when stored at temperatures that are too high or too
low. In model building, the batteries still reach approximately 50-80% of the capacity of a new battery after 50 cycles, even when the charging and discharging instructions are followed. Battery packs may not be connected in series or parallel, because the cell capacities and the charge status can be too different. Battery packs supplied by us have therefore been selected.
This manual must be kept in a safe place and in any case handed over to any subsequent
owner.

In storage (long periods of non-use), this should be checked every month to see if it still has at least 40% charge.

Special instructions for charging LiPo batteries
Since the manufacturer cannot check the correct charging and discharging of the cells,
any warranty is rejected in the event of incorrect charging or discharging.
For charging LiPo batteries, only the approved chargers with the corresponding charging cables
may be used. Any intervention on the charger or the charging cable can lead to extensive damage. The
charging cable with charging protection ensures that every individual cell
of the battery pack is monitored completely and absolutely necessary.
The max. charging capacity must be limited to 1.05 times the battery capacity.
Example: 700 mAh battery = 735 mAh max. charging capacity.
For charging and discharging LiPo batteries, only use specially designed
chargers/dischargers.
Make sure that the number of cells or the final charge voltage and the final discharge voltage are set correctly. Observe the operating instructions for your charging/discharging equipment.
Only use LiPo charging cables with a charging protection circuit:
Further instructions for use
The battery to be charged must be on a non-flammable, heat-resistant and non-conductive
surface during the charging process! Flammable or easily flammable objects must also be kept away from the
batteries. Batteries may only be charged under supervision.
In principle, LiPo batteries connected in series in a pack may only be charged simultaneously if the
voltage of the individual cells does not differ from each other by more than 0.05V. If the voltage
deviation between the cells is more than 0.05V, the different cell voltages must be adjusted to each other as precisely as possible by charging or
discharging each cell separately. Under these conditions, LiPo batteries can be charged with a max. 2C (the value of 1C corresponds to the
cell capacity) charging current. From a voltage of max. 4.2V per cell, charging must continue with a
constant voltage of 4.2V per cell until the charging current falls below 0.1-0.2A.
A voltage of more than 4.25V per cell must be avoided in any case, because otherwise the
cell will be permanently damaged and may catch fire. In order to prevent overcharging of individual cells in a
pack, the switch-off voltage must be set between 4.1V - 4.15V per cell
for a longer service life.
After each charging process, it must be checked whether one of the cells has a voltage of more than 4.2V. All
cells must have the same voltage. If the voltage of the different cells deviates by more than 0.05V, the cell voltage must be compensated by individual charging or discharging. To prevent overcharging of the cells after prolonged use in packs, they must be charged individually on a regular basis.
Never charge the battery cells with the wrong polarity. If the batteries are charged with the wrong polarity,
abnormal chemical reactions occur and the battery becomes unusable. Fractures, smoke and flames can occur.
The permissible temperature range for charging and storing LiPo batteries is 0-50°C.
Storage: LiPo cells must be stored at a charged capacity of 10-20%. If the voltage of the cells drops below 3V, they must be recharged in any case (10-20%). Deep discharge and storage in a discharged state (cell voltage <3V) make the battery unusable.
Special instructions for discharging LiPo batteries
A continuous load of 6C does not pose a major problem for LiPo batteries. For higher currents,
you must observe the specifications in the catalogue. A discharge below 2.5V per cell permanently damages the cells and must therefore be avoided at all costs. Therefore, you must switch off the engine as soon as you notice a strong drop in the battery voltage. If the individual cells are charged differently, the undervoltage cut-out of the regulator could be triggered too late, so that individual cells can be over-discharged. Short circuits must be avoided at all costs. Permanent short circuits lead to destruction of the battery, high temperatures and a possible explosion can be the result. The battery temperature during discharge must never exceed 70°C. In this case, better cooling or a lower discharge must be ensured. The temperature can easily be checked with an infrared thermometer. Further instructions for use
Avoid short circuits.
Never short circuit the batteries. A short circuit causes a very high current, which heats up the cells. This leads to
the loss of electrolyte, gases or even explosions. Keep LiPo batteries away from conductive surfaces that can cause a short circuit.
Sturdiness of the foil casing:
The laminated aluminium film foil can easily be damaged by sharp objects such as pins, knives, nails, motor connections and the like. Damage to the foil makes the battery unusable. The battery must therefore be installed in the model in such a way that it cannot be deformed even in the event of a crash. In the event of a short circuit, the battery can catch fire. In the same way, temperatures above 70°C can damage the housing, causing it to leak. This leads to the loss of electrolyte, the battery becomes unusable and must be disposed of.
Mechanical shock:
LiPo batteries are not as mechanically strong as batteries with a metal housing. Therefore, avoid
mechanical shocks such as dropping, hitting, bending etc. Never cut, pull, deform or drill the laminated film foil. Never bend or twist the LiPo battery. Under no circumstances apply pressure to the battery or the
connection points. Handling the connection points:
The connection points are not as strong as with other batteries. This applies in particular to the aluminium + connection. The
connections can easily break off. Due to heat transfer, the connection tabs must not be soldered directly.
Connecting the cells:
Direct soldering to the battery cells is not permitted.
Direct soldering can damage battery components such as separator or insulator due to the heat.
Battery connections can only be made by industrial spot welding. If a cable is missing or
loose, a professional repair must be carried out by the manufacturer or importer.
Replacing individual battery cells:
Battery cells may only be replaced by the manufacturer or importer, and never by the
user themselves.
Do not reuse defective cells:
Damaged cells must never be reused under any circumstances.
Characteristics of damaged cells include a damaged housing, deformation of the battery cells, the smell
of electrolyte or leaking electrolyte. In these cases, further use of the batteries is no longer permitted.
Damaged or unusable cells are small chemical waste and must be disposed of properly.
General warnings:
The batteries must not end up in fire or hot ashes.
The cells must also not be immersed in liquids such as water, seawater or drinks. Any
contact with liquids must be avoided.
Loose cells and batteries are not toys and must therefore not end up in the hands of children.
Keep batteries/cells out of the reach of children.
Batteries must not be placed near babies or small children. If a battery is swallowed,
consult a doctor immediately.
Batteries must not be placed in the microwave or subjected to pressure. Smoke, fire and more can result.
Never take a LiPo battery apart. Opening a LiPo battery can cause internal short circuits.
Gas development, fire and explosions or other problems can result. The electrolytes and electrolyte vapours contained in LiPo batteries are harmful to health. In any case, avoid direct contact with this liquid. If electrolyte comes into contact with skin, eyes or other parts of the body, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water and then consult a doctor.
Always remove batteries built into a device from the device when the device is not in use.
Always switch off devices after use to avoid deep discharges. Always charge batteries in good time.
Store batteries on a non-flammable, heat-resistant and non-conductive surface! Deeply discharged LiPo batteries
are defective and may no longer be used.

Batteries that have been depleted or have a bloated appearance are not covered by the warranty.

CONDITIONS FOR FILLING HPA AND HIGH-PRESSURE CYLINDERS

Safety and Responsibility

Filling an HPA or other high-pressure cylinder involves risks. In order to ensure the safety of our customers, employees and third parties, only cylinders that, at the time of filling, comply with the applicable legal safety requirements and the conditions of our store will be filled.

1. Valid Inspection Required

Every HPA/high-pressure cylinder presented for filling at our store must have a valid and verifiable periodic inspection, in accordance with the legal requirements applicable to that specific cylinder.

The cylinder must bear the required and clearly legible inspection and identification markings. If the validity of the inspection cannot be established, the cylinder will be considered unsuitable for filling.

NO VALID INSPECTION = NO FILLING.

An expired, damaged, illegible, missing or otherwise questionable inspection marking does not entitle the owner/user to have the cylinder filled.

2. Applicable Regulations

High-pressure cylinders and other transportable pressure receptacles may, among other regulations, fall under the European legislation concerning Transportable Pressure Equipment (TPED), in particular Directive 2010/35/EU, as well as the applicable ADR/RID regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods.

The European TPED legislation provides, among other things, for conformity assessments, periodic inspections, intermediate inspections and exceptional inspections of transportable pressure equipment. Belgium has transposed Directive 2010/35/EU into national law through the Royal Decree of 13 November 2011 concerning transportable pressure equipment.

The applicable inspection interval is not identical for every HPA cylinder. It may depend, among other things, on the type of pressure receptacle, the material from which the cylinder is manufactured, the gas used, the applicable packing instruction and the relevant legislation.

Our store therefore does not guarantee or apply one single general inspection period to all HPA cylinders. The owner/user is responsible for determining which inspection requirements apply to their specific cylinder.

3. Inspection by Our Employees

Before filling, our employees carry out a visual and administrative check to the extent reasonably possible.

This check is solely intended as a safety check and does not constitute an official inspection or certification of the cylinder.

Our employees are not an authorised inspection body and, based on a visual inspection alone, cannot reliably identify all possible defects, damage, internal corrosion, material fatigue, previous damage or other technical defects.

Consequently, an inspection carried out by an employee can never be considered a replacement for a legally required periodic inspection or technical examination.

4. Responsibility of the Owner/User

The owner/user of the cylinder remains responsible at all times for:

• the correct and safe use of the cylinder;
• complying with the manufacturer's instructions;
• having the required periodic inspections carried out on time;
• checking the validity of the inspection;
• properly maintaining and storing the cylinder;
• not using a damaged or otherwise unsafe cylinder;
• presenting a cylinder that is suitable for the gas being filled and the intended filling pressure.

The fact that an employee has filled a cylinder on a previous occasion does not mean that the cylinder is automatically approved for future fillings.

5. Limited Inspection by Store Employees

Although our employees perform a safety check before each filling, they cannot be expected to carry out a complete technical or legal inspection of every cylinder.

Employees are not infallible, and a check performed by a store employee can never exclude all possible defects or irregularities.

The responsibility for the validity, technical condition, suitability and legal compliance of the cylinder therefore remains with the owner/user.

6. When Will a Cylinder Not Be Filled?

Our employees may and will refuse to fill a cylinder in situations including, but not limited to, the following:

• the inspection date has expired;
• the inspection marking is missing;
• the inspection marking is illegible or cannot be verified;
• the cylinder is visibly damaged;
• there is significant rust, corrosion, dents, cracks or other visible damage;
• the cylinder or valve shows signs of a defect;
• it cannot be established which gas the cylinder is approved for;
• it cannot be established what maximum filling pressure is permitted;
• the cylinder is not suitable for the filling equipment being used;
• the cylinder does not comply with the manufacturer's requirements;
• there is any doubt regarding the safety or compliance of the cylinder;
• the employee decides, for safety reasons, not to proceed with the filling.

In case of doubt, the following rule always applies:

IF IN DOUBT = DO NOT FILL.

7. No Guarantee Resulting from the Store's Check

The performance of a check by an employee does not constitute a guarantee that the cylinder is technically in perfect condition.

An accepted and filled cylinder only means that, to the extent reasonably ascertainable at the time of presentation, no reason was identified to refuse the filling.

The store therefore does not accept responsibility for defects that cannot reasonably be detected through a normal visual or administrative check.

8. Re-Inspection

A cylinder whose inspection has expired, or whose inspection status cannot be demonstrated, must be inspected before being filled again by a competent, notified or otherwise legally authorised inspection body, as required by the applicable legislation.

Following a valid approval, the cylinder must once again comply with all conditions applicable to filling.

Our store does not itself carry out legally required periodic inspections of high-pressure cylinders.

9. User's Own Responsibility

By presenting an HPA/high-pressure cylinder for filling, the owner/user declares that:

• they are entitled to have the cylinder filled;
• the cylinder is intended for the gas being supplied;
• the permitted working and/or filling pressure is known and will not be exceeded;
• the required inspection is valid;
• the cylinder has no known defects that could affect safety;
• the cylinder is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and applicable legislation.

Presenting a cylinder for filling does not release the owner/user from their legal and safety responsibilities.

10. Right to Refuse Filling

Our store reserves the right to refuse any filling whenever there is any reasonable doubt regarding the safety, compliance, inspection status or suitability of the cylinder.

This safety decision is made in the interest of the customer, our employees and third parties.

A refusal to fill does not constitute grounds for dispute regarding the employee's safety assessment. In case of doubt, the cylinder must be examined by a competent inspection body.