RE: lipo batteries
With lipo batteries, there is no need or benefit to cycle them (discharge them with the charger then charge them).
Other useful information:
A fully charged lipo should measure 4.2V per cell. For a 6-cell pack, that's 25.2V.
However, and this is where balancing comes in, it is important that each cell be at 4.2V when the pack is fully charged. If some cells are at more than 4.2V, and other cells are at less than 4.2V, the pack is said to be "out of balance," even though the overall voltage of the pack might still be correct.
Charging and operating a battery that is out of balance can damage the cells and result in failure of the battery. Balancing is designed to assure that all cells are charged to the same voltage - 4.2V per cell.
Lipos should never be fully discharged. You should not allow them to fall below 3.6V per cell when the battery is at rest. At a resting voltage of 3.6V per cell, a lipo is essentially "empty" and must be charged before being used.
- Jeff