Battery Management

Caution

Unsafe handling of LiPo / Li-ion batteries can cause fire, serious injury, or loss of the aircraft. Read and follow these guidelines. Per-aircraft pack specifications (chemistry, cells, voltages, mass) are in Part B.

The EP450 flies 12S (2× 6S LiPo in series; a Li-ion option exists for range). The EP250 flies 6S2P (2× 6S LiPo in parallel — two validated configurations, see its Aircraft Data).

Use

1. Only use battery packs supplied or specified by RFD. Substituting cells changes the as-tested flight envelope.
2. Never use, charge, or fly a battery that is swollen, leaking, damaged, or has been in a crash.
3. Never expose batteries to prolonged direct sunlight.
4. Do not drop, crush, puncture, or impact packs.
5. Do not operate in strong electrostatic or electromagnetic environments.
6. Never open or modify a pack. If a connector is damaged, do not repair it — contact RFD.
7. Battery health degrades with disuse — see storage.

Charging

• Charge with a standard LiPo balance charger (RFD can supply one as part of a package, or use your own compatible balance charger). Always balance-charge; set the correct cell count.
• Supervise charging — never charge unattended. Charge in a fire-safe bag or container, clear of ignitable materials.
• Allow a pack that has just flown (especially after a dash/high-current segment) to cool before charging.

Danger

Do not charge with a non-balance charger or an incorrect cell-count setting. Doing so can damage the cells and create a fire risk.

In-flight state-of-charge

Voltage sag under high current draw is normal — the hover and dash regimes draw high current and voltage recovers when throttle is reduced. Plan battery margin around end-of-mission resting voltage, not under-load voltage. Per-aircraft voltage/percentage tables are in Part B once the pack specs are locked.

Landing-energy note. The vertical descent and back-transition at the end of a flight are energy-expensive. Do not cruise the pack flat and then attempt to land — begin the recovery with a real reserve, or the descent can arrive firm. Per-aircraft reserve guidance is in Part B.

Storage

For non-use periods longer than 2 days, discharge each pack to its storage voltage (per-cell value in Part B). Then:

1. Cover or insulate the terminals to prevent short circuits.
2. Store in a fire-safe container, segregated from ignitable materials, out of direct sunlight, within the storage temperature range.
3. If a pack sits unused for more than 30 days, complete one full charge/discharge cycle to maintain cell health.
4. 30 days of a fully charged drone performance LiPo can degrade a pack’s capacity as much as 20% in Brisbane’s temperature

Transport & shipping

Road transport (your own vehicle): carry packs at storage voltage, terminals insulated, in a fire-safe container, secured against impact. Do not transport swollen, damaged or crashed packs — quarantine them (fire-safe container, outdoors/away from buildings) and contact RFD.

Air freight — lithium batteries are regulated dangerous goods:

• Battery packs shipped installed in or packed with the aircraft are UN 3481 (packing instructions 966/967). Packs shipped on their own are UN 3480 (PI 965) — forbidden on passenger aircraft.
• From 1 January 2026, lithium-ion batteries must be at ≤ 30 % state of charge for air transport — this now applies to packs shipped with equipment as well, not just packs alone.
• Note each pack’s watt-hour rating (marked on the pack): a 6S 4000 mAh pack is 88.8 Wh (below the 100 Wh threshold); a 6S 5200 mAh pack is 115.4 Wh and is a fully regulated Class 9 dangerous good by air — use a DG-capable freight forwarder and a declaration.
• Protect terminals, use the original or UN-spec packaging, and never ship a damaged, recalled, or swollen pack by any mode.

These rules change; confirm the current IATA lithium-battery guidance (or your freight forwarder’s requirements) before shipping. Sea and road freight are less restrictive but still require terminal protection and sound packaging.

Disposal (Australia)

1. Do not dispose of in household rubbish.
2. Fully discharge before disposal.
3. Insulate the terminals.
4. Never burn.
5. RFD will accept returned batteries for recycling.