I took a long time off of flying models for many reasons. When I left gas/nitro engines were the only way to go. Today It seems like the whole world has gone electric with many benefits thanks to the new technology. After all they are cleaner, quieter, more neighbor friendly, have comparable performance to gas and can be flown typically in the local park. I do have some questions about some of this new technology. I understand with Lipo batteries you should not let them drop below 3.0 V per cell. But what voltage should you store them at? The other thing that I was wondering should you discharge them down to 3 V before recharging them back up or just put them back on the charger if they are only part way spent. Any input to my questions is always appreciated.

Hi Casey" welcome to the clubI think the storage voltage is 3.6 allthough I've had them sit for three months with no problems. No need to discharge them as the charger looks after that. How big of planes are you going to get into?

You are going to get a lot of opinions on what voltage to store the pack at. I really try and take good care of my LiPo's. They are pricey, so I want them to last as long as possible. I typically store my packs (if it is for a couple days, or even a week or so) at the manuf. spec. So on a 3 cell 11.1 volt pack, I store it at 11.1volts +/-. If you are going to store it longer than that, I typically put a little more juice in the pack. For an 11.1volt pack, it will reach 12.6volts when fully charged, I will store it for a month or so around 11.7volts. So somewhere around 93% of a full charge. They (3cell packs) come from the manuf. around 11.7-11.9 and you have to figure some of those packs have been sitting in-stock for a month or two.

As for running them down to the cutoff, there is no need. Just throw them back on the charger. LiPo's are not like NiCd's or NiMh's. You do not have to completely cycle them each time.

I would agree 3.8 to 3.85v per cell is how they come from the mfg, so go with that. that should be right around a 50% charge. Lipo's are senative the way they are stored, so it's best to go with that advice.

When you bring them out, give them 2 to 5 cycles of 2C discharge and then a 1/2C charge, just to sort of get them back to working function. Also store them between like 40F and 70 or 80F

Thanks for the info. Right now I am flying a slow stick with a 100w brushless and a 1250 mah lipo 3s. I really like to build so I am looking into something a little larger and made of wood. I also like flying aerobatics so I am thinking maybe a Mountain Models Etana. What motor/ controller/ Battery would you guys recommend for something that. Here is the link so you can get a better idea what I am talking about. Thansk again for all your help.

We at MaxAmps Recommend storing you packs at half of their capacity And Cycle or use them at least once a month if you plan on not using them much. And a nice feature with our packs is that they are made only when you order. So you will never have to worry about one of our packs sitting on a shelf for months waiting to be purchased only to get home and find it's junk from sitting to long. Another general rule to follow is charge at 1C all the time. It is not neccessary with Li-Po's to have to cycle them a few times after a storage period. Simply Charge and go. You will notice with many new packs that the first couple of times you use them they will seem short lived but after a few uses they will come around and wake up to thier full potential. Also your link to the plane didn't show. This is what I found out about it anyways....... The ETana is designed to fly with a brushless motor capable of 200 watts. The prototype has flown well on an Axi 2808-24 propped to pull 15 amps (150 watts) and has performed well. At these power levels, a 3S 2000mAH Lipoly battery pack is recommended............ So any good 200 watt motor and matching esc will work. It sounds like this plane would be a great match for one of our 2100 mAh 3S HV packs.



Jason