Is this a battery problem?
 

I've got a new 2200mah 11.1v lipo that I've only got one flight on. I charged it after this flight, with the Common Sense balancer attached. After it finished charging on my smart charger, it has 11.43 volts. It was balanced per the balancer, and I also checked each cell with my multimeter. Each cell came out to 3.81v. I didn't notice any issues while flying, and the battery barely got warm.

Does this sound right? I thought the voltage would be in the 12's for this battery?

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

It should be 12.6 or so when full charged.

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

12,6V is the voltage over the battery when the charge is done. It will fall afterwards, but I just measured some 3S LiPoes which have rested 4 days since a charging to 12,3V (not a 100% charge!) and they hold 12,1V now. I would have expected something like 12,4 - 12,5 after a 100% charge.
Check the voltage at the battery when the charging is nearly done. This should be 12,6V at the end.

But remember; a cheap DVM might not be accurate... at least not valid for 2 numbers behind ",".

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

what kind of "smart" charger are you using for your pack?

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

It's an MRC Superbrain 977. I've been using it w/ Lipos for about 1.5 years w/ no problem. Regarding the DVM, it's one I use for my pool contracting business, bought at HD made by Sperry.

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

hrm that is weird. Seems like it should be charging it more than that. You might double check your settings and see if you have it set that it only charges 50% capacity or maybe check the battery chemistry or any other settings you can think of (sorry I'm not too familiar with that charger). Like the other said a full charge should be 12.6v, but 12.4 to 12.6v is a pretty good range.

GL

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

Thanks for the info, I'll double check everything.

RE: Is this a battery problem?
 

medcinmn:

Suspect your total charge is simply not up to par. Should be around 4.12v per cell or a little more at the end of the charge at all 3 cells. Yea, a little strange, the battery is normally rated at 3.7v per cell but actually charges to around 4.12v. A little confusing. I use a CellPro 4, one of the better less expensive chargers according to master Red Schoefield. They seem to be dummy proof, good for old me. ENJOY