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Safety Precautions

warning

This document contains important safety information. Please read it carefully before using the PiSugar Battery / UPS.

Warnings​

  • This product is NOT a child's product and is not suitable for use by children of any age.
  • Read this entire user manual carefully before using the PiSugar power module to familiarize yourself with the product's functions. Incorrect operation may cause serious injury to yourself or others, or result in product damage and property loss.
  • PiSugar products are developer tools, not ordinary consumer products. They are complex and require time to learn before they can be operated safely and effectively.
  • Prior knowledge is required. Lack of sufficient safety awareness may lead to product damage, property loss, or serious injury due to improper operation.
  • Do not use parts not provided or recommended by PiSugar. Strictly follow PiSugar's installation and usage guidelines.
  • Read all instructions and warnings in this manual before assembling, setting up, or using the product. This document contains safety, operational, and maintenance instructions.
  • Improper use, charging, or storage of the battery may cause fire, property damage, or personal injury.Always follow the battery safety guidelines below.

Usage Precautions​

  1. Keep Battery Dry: Do NOT immerse the battery in water or use it in rainy or humid environments. Water ingress can cause corrosion, spontaneous combustion, or even explosion.
  2. Use Official Batteries Only: If replacing the battery, ONLY use a high-quality cell with specifications identical to the original. PiSugar is NOT responsible for failures or accidents caused by non-official batteries. Using non-official batteries voids the warranty.
  3. Do Not Use Damaged Batteries: STOP using the battery immediately if swelling, leakage, or physical damage is observed. Contact PiSugar or an authorized agent for disposal.
  4. Power Off Before Handling: Ensure the power is OFF before installing or removing the battery. NEVER plug/unplug the battery while powered on, as this can damage interfaces or cause short circuits.
  5. Temperature Limits: Operate the battery between 0°C and 40°C. Temperatures exceeding 60°C may cause fire or explosion. Temperatures below 0°C will severely impact battery lifespan.
  6. Avoid ESD/Magnetic Fields: Do NOT use this product in strong electrostatic discharge (ESD) or strong magnetic field environments, as this may cause battery protection circuit failure and system malfunction.
  7. Do Not Disassemble or Pierce: NEVER disassemble the battery or pierce the battery casing with sharp objects. This can easily cause fire or explosion.
  8. Handle Leaks: If battery liquid leaks, move away immediately. If the liquid contacts skin or eyes, flush with clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
  9. Do Not Use Dropped Batteries: If the battery suffers impact or is dropped, do NOT continue using it, even if it appears undamaged.
  10. Water Ingress: If the battery accidentally falls into water during use or otherwise, remove it immediately and place it in a safe, open area. Keep away until completely dry. Do NOT reuse a dried battery. Dispose of it properly per the disposal methods in this manual. If fire occurs, use firefighting equipment in this recommended order: Water/Water Mist, Sand, Fire Blanket, Dry Powder, CO2 Fire Extinguisher.
  11. No High-Pressure Containers: NEVER place the battery in sealed high-pressure devices like microwave ovens or pressure cookers.
  12. Avoid Conductive Surfaces: Do NOT place the bare cell face down on metal surfaces to prevent short circuits.
  13. Prevent Short Circuits: Do NOT short-circuit the battery terminals with metal objects (e.g., wires), as this can cause high temperatures, fire, or explosion.
  14. Avoid Impact/Pressure: Do NOT strike the battery or place heavy objects on it, as this can cause physical damage or thermal runaway.
  15. Clean Connectors: If the battery interface has foreign matter or dirt, clean it with a dry cloth to ensure good charging and power supply contact.
  16. Low Battery Warning: When a low battery warning occurs, charge or replace the battery immediately to avoid performance degradation from over-discharge.

Charging Precautions​

For safety and battery longevity, follow these guidelines during charging:

  1. Charger Voltage: MUST use a standard USB power adapter with 5V output. Do NOT use chargers with output voltage exceeding 5V, especially those supporting fast-charge protocols that do not automatically step down to 5V.
  2. Fast-Charge Risk: If using a power adapter supporting fast-charge protocols, ensure its output voltage remains 5V when connected to PiSugar. PiSugar is NOT responsible for damage or accidents caused by excessive fast-charge voltage.
  3. Charging Environment: Charge in a well-ventilated area. Ensure no flammable materials are nearby. Place the device on non-combustible surfaces like tile or concrete.
  4. Avoid High Temp Charging: Ambient temperatures above 40°C severely impact battery life. Excessive heat (e.g., direct sunlight, inside a closed vehicle) can cause swelling, fire, or explosion.
  5. Prevent Heat Buildup: The device generates heat during charging. Do NOT hold it while charging or place it in enclosed containers (e.g., bags, drawers, 3D printed cases). Heat buildup can cause safety risks.
  6. Full Charge Stop: PiSugar has built-in overcharge protection and stops charging automatically when full. For enhanced safety, manually disconnect the charger after a full charge.
  7. Do Not Overcharge: Do NOT force continuous charging by any means. Overcharging damages cell structure, causing swelling or fire.

Storage and Transportation Precautions​

To prevent performance degradation or accidents, follow these rules during storage and transportation:

danger

This product is NOT a child's product and is not suitable for use by children of any age.

  1. Keep Away from Children: Store batteries in a secure location out of children's reach. If small parts are swallowed, seek medical help immediately.
  2. Avoid High Temperatures: NEVER store batteries in high-temperature areas (e.g., direct sunlight, closed vehicles, near fire sources or heaters). Ideal storage temperature is 22°C~28°C.
  3. Keep Dry & Ventilated: Store batteries in a dry, well-ventilated place. Avoid damp or potentially water-leaking environments.
  4. Prevent Physical Damage: Do NOT crush, pierce, or impact batteries. Do NOT reuse batteries after severe impact.
  5. Avoid Metal Contact: Do NOT store or transport batteries mixed with metal items (e.g., keys, coins, necklaces, hairpins) to prevent short circuits.
  6. Do Not Transport Damaged Batteries: If a battery leaks, swells, or is damaged, do NOT transport it. Hand it over to professionals for disposal.
  7. Reduce Charge Before Transport: Before transporting batteries, discharge them to below 30% to reduce risk.
  8. Long-Term Storage Charge Level: If a battery is unused for over 10 days, discharge it to 40%~65% and store it properly to extend lifespan. Use a dedicated battery case for storage.
  9. Avoid Deep Discharge Storage: Do NOT store batteries in a fully depleted state for long periods. This can cause deep discharge, permanent damage, swelling, or combustion.
  10. Recommended Storage: Store the PiSugar power module in a dry, ventilated place, away from heat sources and flammable materials, and out of direct sunlight.

Disposal Precautions​

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Batteries are hazardous waste. Do NOT dispose of them in regular trash. Follow local environmental recycling methods.

  1. Fully Discharge Before Recycling: Completely discharge the battery before recycling. Undischarged batteries pose a fire risk during transport or bulk processing.
  2. Do Not Dispose in Regular Trash: Batteries are hazardous waste. NEVER dispose of them with household garbage. Place them in designated battery recycling bins or collection points provided by local government or community.
  3. Non-Dischargeable Batteries: If a battery cannot be discharged due to damage or switch failure, do NOT disassemble or dispose of it yourself. Hand it over to a qualified battery recycling company.
  4. Over-Discharged Batteries: If a battery unused for a long time cannot be charged or started, it is likely deeply over-discharged. Do NOT use it. Dispose of it according to the environmental recycling methods in this chapter.
  5. Follow Local Regulations: Refer to local laws and regulations for battery and electronic equipment recycling or disposal. Environmental standards vary by country/region.

Maintenance Precautions​

  1. Avoid High Temp Storage: Do NOT store batteries long-term above 60°C (e.g., inside cars on hot days, near heaters). This may destroy battery structure or cause aging.
  2. Periodic Charge/Discharge: If the device is unused for long periods, perform a full charge and discharge cycle every 3 months to maintain battery activity.
  3. Avoid Storing Deeply Discharged: If the battery is depleted, charge it promptly. Do NOT store deeply discharged batteries long-term, as they may enter an unrecoverable state.
  4. Visual Inspection: Regularly check the battery surface for swelling, deformation, cracks, or leakage. Stop using immediately and contact technical support if any issues are found.
  5. Keep Connectors Clean: Regularly clean the battery and module interfaces with a clean, soft cloth to prevent dust or corrosion from affecting power transfer or charging performance.
  6. Avoid Moisture/Corrosion: Do NOT leave the device long-term in high-humidity environments or those with corrosive gases (e.g., kitchen fumes, salty air), as this accelerates component aging.
  7. Storage During Non-Use: If the device will be unused for an extended period, store the battery at a charge level of 40%~65% in a dry, ventilated place.

Travel and Transportation Precautions​

The PiSugar power module uses rechargeable lithium batteries. To ensure transport safety and comply with aviation regulations, strictly follow these guidelines:

Carry-On Only: Lithium battery products MUST be carried in your hand luggage (carry-on). They are PROHIBITED in checked baggage. This is mandatory for most airlines and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Battery Charge Level: Reduce battery charge to below 5% before boarding to minimize thermal runaway risk. Perform discharging away from fire sources in a well-ventilated area.

Protective Packaging: Package the battery separately to prevent contact with metal items or other power interfaces, preventing short circuits during transport. Using a battery case or anti-static bag is safer.

Product Documentation: Carry this manual or a printout in case airlines or customs require explanation. It states the product is a small, portable, low-power development board power module.

Check Destination Rules: Regulations for battery transport vary by country/region. Check the specific restrictions of the airline and destination country beforehand to ensure compliance.

If Denied: If instructed to dispose of the battery at security or the gate, comply with airline staff instructions. Do NOT attempt to hide the battery to board, as this may carry legal risks.

Technical Support and Other Information​

If you encounter any issues during use, assistance is available through the following channels:

Technical Support & Contact​

Product Statement​

  • PiSugar is a registered trademark of Shenzhen Non-linear Technology Co., Ltd.
  • This product is an electronic tool intended for developers. It is not recommended for use by children or non-professionals without supervision.
  • All users must read the entire content of this manual and strictly adhere to the usage guidelines before using this product. PiSugar and its authorized sellers are not liable for losses resulting from improper operation.
  • Shenzhen Non-linear Technology Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • The content of this manual may not be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without permission.
  • Manual content may be updated without prior notice. Please visit the PiSugar official website for the latest version.