Steve Westphal

I was told a few years ago that one needn't discharge a lipo. Is this correct? Thanks.

chuckk2

It's correct IF:
You are going to use the lipo in the very near future.
The lipo is already at storage charge (3.85v per cell, or close to it)

It's NOT correct if:
The lipo is going to not be used for several days, weeks, or months.

Some of the older, milder "mix", small lipos didn't seem as picky as the current ones.

When buying lipos, always check them before use and even purchase, if possible.
The cells on a new just out of box lipo should be quite close in voltage to each other,
and between ~3.7-3,85v per cell. I usually see good new lipos with cells between 3.8 and 3.85,
with the cells within +/- a few millivolts of each other.

richrd

If you mean cycle like NiCad no. But as said storing at full charge has been discouraged.