RE: Batteries running-in and swollen batteries
I really wonder about this "running in" story. I think it depends on the failure mode. I recognise at least three different ones:
- indivudual cell unbalance versus the rest of the pack. This effect will be greater when reaching maximum discharge (<3V).
- increase of internal resistance over time resulting in reduced Max C delivery
- reduction of capacity over time
Running in packs IMHO has the effect that you take more care the first few runs in charging/discharging which will help in detecting failure mode #1. I have had other packs that i never run in, actually were discharged fullu serveral times to the max and still ran fine upto 300 cycles, only with some reduced total capacity.
I've had other packs I really carefully ran in which I retired after 100+ flights due to increased Ir.
The link provided gives some great insights in what influences actual pack build quality. That initial quality will have much greater influence that the running in methodology used.
Volkert