Notices
E-Flight Power Sources Ask questions or read about power sources as they specifically relate to e-flight including Lithium-ion, Li-Poly, Nimh and Nicad battery packs.

Extending Battery Life

Old 10-14-2008, 09:06 PM
  #1  
Hatty
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Hatty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Extending Battery Life

This isn't really geared towards RC flight, but is about Li-Pos in general.

Is it best to wait until your Li-Po is completely drained (but still within the voltage limits) before recharging, or should you recharge your battery at every opportunity you get?

I know that in the past, Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries benefited the most from complete charge and discharge cycles (Ni-Cads needing this and NiMH liking this). But, with todays new batteries, is it still the same?

I would like your opinions, but what I am really looking for is test data or some kind of proof on a reliable site.

Thanks
Old 10-14-2008, 10:12 PM
  #2  
DaveFlynn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Extending Battery Life

The fully discharge thing only applies to NiCd. Any others you can charge whenever.
Old 11-11-2008, 10:06 AM
  #3  
garylynn
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: clinton twp, MI
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Extending Battery Life

lipo 's have no memory but do not discharge to low, that could damage them
Old 11-11-2008, 11:30 AM
  #4  
-pkh-
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
-pkh-'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Emmaus, PA
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Extending Battery Life

Check out this link:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

Summary:
LiPo packs prefer partial discharge/charge cycles to deep cycling
Long term storage charge level should be about 40% full charge level
Old 11-11-2008, 01:28 PM
  #5  
Stuntguy13
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Jupiter, FL
Posts: 254
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default RE: Extending Battery Life

For electric control line stunt were the batteries are pushed for the whole 6min flight it has been found that by sizing the LiPoly pack so that you pull out no more than 80% of the capacity (i.e. 4000mah pack draw out a max of 3200mah) you will get max life.

Best, Dennis
Old 11-13-2008, 10:43 AM
  #6  
Rodney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 7,769
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default RE: Extending Battery Life

ORIGINAL: Hatty

This isn't really geared towards RC flight, but is about Li-Pos in general.

Is it best to wait until your Li-Po is completely drained (but still within the voltage limits) before recharging, or should you recharge your battery at every opportunity you get?
Recharge at each opportunity.

I know that in the past, Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries benefited the most from complete charge and discharge cycles (Ni-Cads needing this and NiMH liking this). But, with todays new batteries, is it still the same?
Neither NiCad nor NiMh need discharging before recharge. NiCad memory is pretty much an old wives tale that refuses to die.


I would like your opinions, but what I am really looking for is test data or some kind of proof on a reliable site.
www.rcbatteryclinic.com is one of the better and more reliable sources for battery info.


Thanks

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.