That $1300 battery sitting on the shelf isn’t just expensive—it’s a glimpse into the future of lithium tech. I put it through the wringer, charged it beyond reason, and watched it turn into the most violent battery explosion I've ever recorded. Here’s why this battery costs a fortune, what makes it special, and why it’s as terrifying as it is impressive.
What Makes a $1300 Battery Worth It?
This pack isn’t your average lithium battery. It’s the Dark Lithium Gold by Upgrade Energy, a name that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi movie but actually refers to a real, cutting-edge product. Upgrade Energy assembles these packs from cells sourced elsewhere, but the magic lies within those cells.
Inside this battery are Amprius SAO8 cells, which, unlike traditional lithium batteries, use a silicon anode. This tech leap isn’t just marketing fluff—it represents a generational jump in lithium battery performance.
Silicon vs Carbon: The Anode Revolution
Most lithium batteries use graphite, a carbon-based material, for the anode and cathode. Lithium ions nestle into a carbon matrix during charging and leave it during discharge. The catch? Carbon can only hold so many lithium ions—roughly one ion per six carbon atoms. This limits the amount of energy you can pack into a battery of a given size and weight.
The silicon anode flips that ratio on its head. Silicon can theoretically hold four lithium ions per silicon atom. That means you can cram a lot more lithium into the same space. The result? A battery with much higher capacity for its weight.
Real-World Gains: Capacity and Weight
This Dark Lithium Gold battery weighs 1.3 kilograms but delivers a whopping 21,000 milliamp hours—that’s 21 amp hours if you want to skip the math. Compare that to a traditional cylindrical cell pack like the Molicell P50B, which offers about 15,000 mAh at the same weight. That’s roughly a 25-28% jump in capacity.
Compared to a standard lithium polymer (LiPo) battery, this silicon anode battery can pack two to three times the milliamp hours per gram. If you’re designing drones, aircraft, or electric vehicles where every gram counts, this is huge.
The Trade-Offs: Why Silicon Anode Batteries Aren't Perfect
Before you start clearing your credit card for one of these, there are some catches. The theoretical capacity boost from silicon anodes doesn’t translate 1:1 in real life. Silicon anodes are fragile compared to graphite, so manufacturers have to add reinforcements and buffers inside the cell. These take up space and reduce the net gain.
Moreover, these batteries have a lower current rating—usually between 3C to 5C. This sounds low compared to LiPo batteries rated at 100C or more, but given the large capacity, a 3C rating still means 60 amps. The bottleneck here is thermal management; the battery can deliver more current if cooled properly, which is a work in progress for companies like Upgrade Energy.
Why Blow Up a $1300 Battery?
Now, you might wonder why anyone would torch a battery that costs more than a decent laptop. This particular battery was salvaged from a crashed drone. Although it looked fine, damage marks suggested it was a ticking time bomb. Lithium batteries, especially LiPos, don’t forgive impact damage—they can ignite or explode unexpectedly.
Disposal isn’t as simple as chucking it in the bin. Safe destruction is critical, and what better way to make it safe than to watch it burn itself out under controlled conditions?
Setting the Stage for a Controlled Explosion
I connected the battery to a charger but tricked it into thinking it was an 8S pack, allowing me to overcharge it beyond its safety limits. The plan was to push it until it puffed, smoked, and eventually exploded.
It started raining, which was ironically perfect for fire safety, but I hoped it wouldn’t interrupt the test. The wires warmed up carrying the current, and the battery remained surprisingly cool—until it wasn’t.
Signs of Trouble: The Slow Burn
At around 40 volts, the battery started making popping and hissing sounds. Smoke began to escape, and the pack started puffing up. But then, something unexpected happened.
Instead of erupting into flames, the battery began deforming. The charger kept pushing current, indicating the battery’s electrical circuitry was still intact despite the visible damage. It was like watching a pressure cooker hiss without the steam release valve opening.
The Calm Before the Storm
The battery shrank back down after puffing. It was almost as if it was playing cat and mouse with destruction. I switched the charger back to 8S mode to push 15 amps again and coax it over the edge.
The battery made more noises but refused to go up in flames immediately. The charger finally refused to charge it further, indicating the battery was too damaged to accept current. Still, no big kaboom.
The Earth-Shattering Kaboom
Then the inevitable happened: a massive, violent explosion. Sparks flew in every direction, a jet of flame erupted, and the battery consumed itself in one go. This wasn’t your usual jet of flame from a LiPo—it was an all-at-once, spectacular destruction.
The explosion was so intense it nearly damaged my camera lens, despite having a protective ND filter. The sheer energy density packed into this battery made its detonation far more dangerous than typical packs of similar size.
Post-Explosion: Nothing Left but Memories
After the blast, there was nothing left to salvage. Usually, some remnants survive a battery explosion, but this one was utterly consumed. The battery’s 21 amp hours of energy packed into 1.3 kilograms means when it goes, it really goes.
This incident forced me to reconsider the minimum safe distance when handling such batteries. Five or six feet might be fine for regular LiPos, but this was a whole different beast.
Should You Consider Silicon Anode Batteries?
If you’re flush with cash and need to squeeze every extra minute of flight time or range out of your drone, aircraft, or EV, these batteries offer a significant advantage. Expect 40% more flight time compared to packs like the Molicell P50B, which already outperform standard LiPos by about 23%.
Upgrade Energy offers these Amprius SAO8 pouch cells and also SA10 cylindrical variants. They’re pricey but deliver on the promise of higher energy density. You can buy directly from Upgrade Energy’s website, or check out specs if you want to nerd out on cell chemistry.
Battery Safety: The Real Takeaway
This experiment isn’t just fireworks for fun. It’s a reminder that lithium batteries, especially high-density silicon anode types, can be volatile when damaged or misused. Handling, charging, and disposal need to be done with care.
For more on lithium polymer battery safety, check out my guide on safe LiPo handling and disposal. Knowing how to spot damage and prevent thermal runaway can save your gear—and your life.
Final Thoughts
Lighting off this 21 amp hour silicon anode battery was the most intense battery destruction I’ve ever witnessed. The slow build-up, the refusal to explode on command, and the eventual violent detonation showed just how much energy these packs store—and how unforgiving they are when things go wrong.
If you want longer runtimes and can stomach the cost and safety considerations, these batteries are the future. Just don’t expect them to go quietly when they fail.
For drone builders and hobbyists, it’s a balancing act: weight, capacity, cost, and safety. This battery checks the first two boxes like no other, but the price and risk mean it’s not for the faint-hearted or budget-conscious. If you’re fascinated by battery tech, this is one to watch.
Related Reads
- Aerial Photography with Minimal Fuss – Tips on safe drone operation and battery care.
- UK Drone Regulations – Stay legal and safe while flying.
- What You Need to Build a Beginner Quadcopter – The basics of drone construction and battery choices.
- LiPo Battery Safety Guide – Essential reading for anyone handling lithium batteries.
FAQ
What makes silicon anode batteries better than regular lithium polymer batteries?
Silicon anode batteries can store more lithium ions per molecule compared to the graphite anodes in regular LiPos. This means higher energy density and more capacity for the same weight.
Why are silicon anode batteries more expensive?
The technology is newer and manufacturing requires additional steps to reinforce the fragile silicon anodes. This complexity drives up the cost compared to traditional LiPos.
Are silicon anode batteries safe?
Like all lithium batteries, they can be dangerous if damaged or mishandled. Their higher energy density means failures can be more violent, so strict safety protocols are essential.
Can I use these batteries for high current applications?
Currently, silicon anode batteries have lower continuous discharge ratings (3-5C), which limits their use in very high current applications unless thermal management is improved.
Where can I buy silicon anode batteries?
Upgrade Energy sells batteries with Amprius silicon anode cells directly on their website. Availability is limited and prices are high, reflecting the cutting-edge nature.
Takeaway Box
- $1300 silicon anode battery packs 40% more capacity than high-end LiPos at the same weight.
- Silicon anodes hold more lithium ions but are fragile and require complex manufacturing.
- Lower current rating (3-5C) limits burst power; thermal management is key to higher performance.
- Damaged silicon anode batteries can explode with extreme violence—handle and dispose with care.
- If you want longer drone flight times and can stomach the price, these batteries are worth watching.
This article was based from the video I blew up Hank Green's "3000 mile battery"
