<p>All LiPo batteries face a process called electrolyte decomposition. This means that all LiPo batteries will produce oxygen, some carbon dioxide, and some carbon monoxide through normal use. This process, however, is greatly sped up when certain things happen to a LiPo. </p>

<p>These are the things that will cause noticeable "puffiness" in LiPo batteries:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Over-Discharge.</strong> Don't let a LiPo go below the minimum safe voltage (<em>Example</em>: if you fly your drone too long and the battery gets below ~3.3v per cell) and don't pull too much current from the LiPo. (<em>Example</em>: using a low C-rating LiPo, like 20c, on a high performance race drone.) Make sure you pay attention to battery voltage when flying and make sure you have suitable C-rating.</li>
<li><strong>Overheat.</strong> Exposure to heat can cause battery puffiness. Make sure to let LiPo batteries cool off before charging and don't fly when it is too hot. Also, make sure to store LiPos in a cool location.</li>
<li><strong>Overcharging.</strong> If a LiPo is charged higher than 4.2v per cell, it can cause puffiness. Make sure you use a good balance charger to avoid this.</li>
<li><strong>Improper storage.</strong> Storing LiPos at full capacity is a major cause of puffiness. Make sure to storage charge LiPos before putting them away for any significant time. If you have a good charger, storage charge is one of the options. Also make sure to store LiPos in a cool/cold area.</li>
</ul>

<p>More in-depth information <a href="http://learningrc.com/puffed-lipos/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-04T17:54:24.863Z
"all LiPo batteries will **very** produce oxygen," I think "very" is a typo. Still a great answer
TechnoCore
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-04T19:08:51.820Z
@TechnoCore Thanks! It seems that I didn't catch that when I wrote it.
Jacob B
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-30T14:24:54.747Z
2020-06-04T19:07:42.370Z
2020-06-04T19:07:42.370Z
Jacob B
<p>I have used many liPo batteries with my drones and other RCs over the years and have had a few of them puff up. What are the main reasons that LiPo batteries puff up? And are there ways to avoid LiPo batteries getting like this?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-30T14:50:18.370Z
Not an exact duplicate, but see [gparyani's answer](https://drones.stackexchange.com/a/76/68) to [Is it safe to fly LiPo batteries after they get “puffy”?](https://drones.stackexchange.com/q/72/68)
Kralc
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-30T14:58:24.180Z
@Kralc It is a bit similar, but this question focuses on what causes puffiness while that question and it's answers are focused on whether it is safe to use.
Jacob B
<lipo-batteries><batteries><battery-safety><maintenance>
Why do LiPo batteries get puffy?
Jacob B
# Why do LiPo batteries get puffy?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-30)

I have used many liPo batteries with my drones and other RCs over the years and have had a few of them puff up. What are the main reasons that LiPo batteries puff up? And are there ways to avoid LiPo batteries getting like this?

**Tags:** lipo-batteries, batteries, battery-safety, maintenance

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Not an exact duplicate, but see [gparyani's answer](https://drones.stackexchange.com/a/76/68) to [Is it safe to fly LiPo batteries after they get “puffy”?](https://drones.stackexchange.com/q/72/68)  
> **username_0**: @username_1 It is a bit similar, but this question focuses on what causes puffiness while that question and it's answers are focused on whether it is safe to use.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2020-05-30. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

All LiPo batteries face a process called electrolyte decomposition. This means that all LiPo batteries will produce oxygen, some carbon dioxide, and some carbon monoxide through normal use. This process, however, is greatly sped up when certain things happen to a LiPo.

These are the things that will cause noticeable "puffiness" in LiPo batteries:

* **Over-Discharge.** Don't let a LiPo go below the minimum safe voltage (*Example*: if you fly your drone too long and the battery gets below ~3.3v per cell) and don't pull too much current from the LiPo. (*Example*: using a low C-rating LiPo, like 20c, on a high performance race drone.) Make sure you pay attention to battery voltage when flying and make sure you have suitable C-rating.
* **Overheat.** Exposure to heat can cause battery puffiness. Make sure to let LiPo batteries cool off before charging and don't fly when it is too hot. Also, make sure to store LiPos in a cool location.
* **Overcharging.** If a LiPo is charged higher than 4.2v per cell, it can cause puffiness. Make sure you use a good balance charger to avoid this.
* **Improper storage.** Storing LiPos at full capacity is a major cause of puffiness. Make sure to storage charge LiPos before putting them away for any significant time. If you have a good charger, storage charge is one of the options. Also make sure to store LiPos in a cool/cold area.

More in-depth information [here](http://learningrc.com/puffed-lipos/).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: "all LiPo batteries will **very** produce oxygen," I think "very" is a typo. Still a great answer  
> **username_0**: @username_2 Thanks! It seems that I didn't catch that when I wrote it.  

---

