Paul,

Great info in your post!

I didn't graph the known versus unknown causes of LiPo damage, but considering a (hopefully small) percentage of contributors would be too embarrassed to admit a mistake, I'd say the vast majority of damage was caused by the operators.

The instructions on my E=flite Celectra state that it charges at a selected constant current up to the max voltage for the number of cells being charged (voltage detection by the charger), and current then tapers off to some minimum level where the charge is terminated.

That leads me to believe that a partially discharged pack would simply charge for a shorter period of time, but the accuracy might depend on the quality of the charger input voltage regulation, and output voltage detection/regulation. Makes me wonder what kind of precision can be built into a $40 charger?

I suppose it's possible that it's simply a constant current, voltage limited charger with a timed charge, but that wouldn't make sense with the limited range of charge currents selectable. I.e. charging a 1500 mah pack at 1 amp (the closest setting) would leave it a bit short of power.

Bill