ORIGINAL: klhoard

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I use FMA PL8 chargers and charged my HobbyKing Blue ($40) 5S-5000 LiPo's all last year at 10 amps (2C) at the field and 20 amps (4C) at home. I would have charged at the higher rate at the field, but my poor generator would ''dance'' at the higher rate.
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I'm convinced that it is more important for battery longevity to store / keep your batteries at 50% charge rate (3.8V per cell) as much as possible. Every time you fully charge your LiPo it is the same as winding up a rubber band to its limit. The longer you make it hold that potential, the more damage you're doing to the cell. Also, every time you discharge it past 20%, you're doing the same thing. That's why they come from the factory at 50% charge. . .
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I am adamant about finishing the flying day with a storage charge, preferably at the field, but definitely at home. Then I don't charge them back up until I am either at the field or until I've committed to go to the flying field for the day. It doesn't take long to bring a battery up to full charge from 50% at 20 amps. . . also my field just got connected to ''the grid'' . . . (yay!!)
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