I have heard all the horror stories about these too, but have never experienced anything like what I have heard. I am careful not to run them down too low as this will ruin them, although I have taken them to the point where the chopper will not rotate (lift off), and have had no trouble getting them to charge. I have a cheap E-Sky charger, for both two and three cell, and if anything gets warm, its this charger. I will say, there is absolutely no comparison to the power and weight savings li po's offer, it is phenomenal over NiCad. Check out eBay, Tower, Hobby Lobby, etc, these have come along way and what’s exciting, there is something that will replace these power houses!!