i'm using 2 onboard volt meters (1 for ignition and other for receiver) that tells you the exact voltage of the battery and with LiFe packs i just recharge when it goes under 6.5 and its worked out great for me. I plugged the volt meter into the open lead from the ignition for the telemetry that i dont use anyway. You have a good point about the connection maybe just not making good contact and with me unplugging it and replugging it in that coulda solved the problem.