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Lipo charging

Old 10-02-2017, 05:53 AM
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Mike Haddox
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Default Lipo charging

Should we balance our Lipo batteries on every charge?
Old 10-02-2017, 06:11 AM
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Len Todd
 
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I do balance charge each time. Some folks do not. I've had mixed luck with LiPo longevity. Got some that are 5 years old and got some that are new this year and they are badly puffed. I never take them down to LVC. Lately, some have had bad IRs from the get go. Can't seem to trust any brand to be consistent these days.
Old 10-02-2017, 06:25 AM
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BarracudaHockey
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I always balance charge
Old 10-02-2017, 06:45 AM
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Dave Wilshere
 
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Originally Posted by Mike Haddox
Should we balance our Lipo batteries on every charge?

Yes...every charge.
Old 10-02-2017, 07:00 AM
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Mike Haddox
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Thanks for the feed back. Looks like I will balance every time. Mike Haddox
Old 10-02-2017, 07:58 AM
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Dansy
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Always and always storage charge balance as well..
Old 10-02-2017, 08:07 AM
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CARS II
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And if not using them put them in an ammo can.
Old 10-02-2017, 09:38 AM
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A well ventilated ammo can.
Old 10-02-2017, 10:18 AM
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CARS II
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Correct, mine has 6 1/2 inch holes on top.
Old 10-02-2017, 11:23 AM
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Why well ventilated? I store mine in an air tight double walled chemical storage container... Fire safes are bull ****, ask me how I know. No air, no fire...
Old 10-02-2017, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by DrScoles
Why well ventilated? I store mine in an air tight double walled chemical storage container... Fire safes are bull ****, ask me how I know. No air, no fire...
Yes if you dont have oxygen you dont have fire.But in this case there is chemical reaction that will take place with or without oxygen.
This reaction causes explosion and if this pressure cant escape your air tight container can become a grenade ....


my 2c
Old 10-02-2017, 12:55 PM
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DrScoles
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that makes sense LOL Wonder why this commercially available storage locker is air tight?? Its meant to contain flammable chemicals in case of a fire. Maybe it has some vents that blow out ?
Old 10-03-2017, 10:39 AM
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Not needed. If you have a good battery, and it's shown you that it's staying relatively balanced... then just do it once in a while.
Old 10-03-2017, 04:52 PM
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A better idea would be to get rid of the lipos and use LIFE batteries.

They do still need to be balanced charged.
Old 10-03-2017, 07:18 PM
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CARS II
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I try to keep zero LIPOs but end up with a few like the one on my radio, the one for the FEDEC, some for my rc truck and a few small ones for other small projects.
Old 10-04-2017, 04:53 AM
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Kris, Pretty hard to eliminate lipos if you have other rc toys... my kids are just getting into rc trucks, lots of big lipos. And everyones gotta have a foamy homie!
Old 10-04-2017, 11:18 AM
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I just got several of the isdt chargers that balance on every operation... They work very well.

https://www.amazon.com/iSDT-Intellig...s=isdt+charger

Bob
Old 10-04-2017, 12:57 PM
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Every time.. no exceptions. tossed all the old chargers.

Use the checker every time too. no exceptions..

I also discharge to nominal voltage soon as able after use.. something like 3.7-3.9v per cell for those batts that didn't get used up. get it below 4 for storage and it will add significant life and won't puff as quick
Old 10-04-2017, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by gunradd
A better idea would be to get rid of the lipos and use LIFE batteries.

They do still need to be balanced charged.
Yes sir they do.. I witnessed a 3800 LIFE burn a jet down last week.. he was topping it off with a non balanced setting after it had one flight on it for a quickie, and it had a weak cell.. it was UGLY..
Old 10-04-2017, 01:03 PM
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Chris Nicastro
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Use LiPo only for high amp draw applications. Use LiFe for low amp, stable, power applications.
Lipo's like cycles and do not favor storage applications like the other chemistries. LiFe, LiOn A123 and such are better long term low amp power sources for radios and Rx's.

I balance charge about every 3-5 cycles depending on the voltage per cell. Lithium batteries don't like trickle or long term charging so it's been proven to me that constant balancing actually degrades the packs.

I did Lipo product development so I had several long term case studies.
Old 10-04-2017, 02:47 PM
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rhklenke
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Originally Posted by Chris Nicastro
Use LiPo only for high amp draw applications. Use LiFe for low amp, stable, power applications.
Lipo's like cycles and do not favor storage applications like the other chemistries. LiFe, LiOn A123 and such are better long term low amp power sources for radios and Rx's.

I balance charge about every 3-5 cycles depending on the voltage per cell. Lithium batteries don't like trickle or long term charging so it's been proven to me that constant balancing actually degrades the packs.

I did Lipo product development so I had several long term case studies.
I'm not sure if the isdt chargers charge through the balance leads or through the main leads, or both, but we were charging the 4400 MAh 6S Glacier batteries for our Motion RC A-4 with the 500W isdt charger at 8.8A (the most our power supply could handle). The charger brought all the cells up to 4.2V on the dot at the same time and without an extended low-current "balance period" - i.e., it maintained the 8.8A charge rate, or close to it, until just before the cells reached the end voltage.

These chargers actually flag an error and ask you to confirm the start of the charge cycle if the balance connector is not plugged in. It seems like the best way to do it to me...

Bob

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