jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

well after 5 cycles my zippy compact 5000 ml 5s 25c wont charge and 3 cells that are out of wack, tried to charge and discharge to no availe. im sure HK wont warranty them since that are over 30 days old, and even if they did they would want me to send it to Singapore which will cost more than its worth. HK asked me to send the pictures of the low cells but I doubt I will get a response, if they dont no more HK batteries from me.

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

of course im not getting any response on their online support

Ernies

Did you get it balanced before or during charging. If cells far out of balance it can take a long time for charger to balance. What charger are you using

Lazer

My Feedback: (27)

I have actually been happy so far with my experience on HK returns. One of the batteries out of three wouldn't ballance, (Nano tech 6s 35-70c 3.3 amp packs). I discovered this a couple of weeks after receiving them. Took pictures showing the charge results and sent the item back. Credit was issued one week later and I ordered a new one from the US warehouse. Have over 90 flights on these batteries. They do get warm after and swell only slightly and by the time I recharge them the swelling has gone.
One of the newer batteries that I've been using from HK is the Nano tech A spec 2.4 amp 4s 65 -130c rated battery. I have abused this battery by over pulling to many amps out of it the first use and it was warm+. I actually found out the under load I was pulling cells down below 3 volts (duh), but the pack came back without a hitch and takes a full charge. No puffing and I've used the pack now more than 30 times for full flights. [8D]

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Unfortunately that is the risk we take with the less expensive brands/sellers of lipos. Zippy batteries cost ~1/2 or less of the 'name brands', so if 1 out of every 3 batteries is bad, you are still technically ahead.

I have had 1 return with HK and while it took some time, they did issue a refund for the item (power supply).

*Try their online chat.

Hobbypartz.com ships from USA and supposedly has good customer service regarding batteries. I weighed this all out when buying my most recent packs, and did not buy from HK for the fear of one being bad and the time/cost to replace it. Next batteries will be from F3AU.

AmericanSpectre505

I have 5 flight packs (10 batteries) I purchased a couple of months ago. I broke them in with 6 easy cycles on the batteries,..ran them down to 50% at about 1/4 throttle. I am having very good luck with them overall. The first three cycles the Ohm's were a bit high at around 3.9 to 4.2 on average and about the 4th-6 cycles the ohm's started to come down. I am using the Cellpro and charge on accurate charge at 4.0 Amps. The average ohm's are around 2.4 to 1.9 per pack. These packs are sensative to how you break them in. I have one pack I abused right out of the box and one battery pack will only carry 16 volts (it's shot with one flight) and the other is fine in the 10S configuration. I wanted to see how hard I could abuse one right out of the box,..$42.00 down the drain. But I did get my answer,...

I bought them as practice packs, because 35C- 5100 are out of stock and I can't afford the ThunderPower 5000/5400's at $160/ $189.00 per pack. When I do purchase the 35C- 5100 when they are back in stock, they will be for the NATS. The Zippy Compact 25c 5000 seem to be doing really well with 20 plus flights currently.

I know this does not help your problem, but it might help in the future or maybe not? Try calling the U.S. warehouse and see if they will help you. I know they do not have any in stock and the only warehouse that does is Australia. I looked a few days ago to replace my bad one, but heck $43.00 bucks, I'll keep rolling the dice. I'd rather support a U.S. Provider like F3A Unlimited, Advantage Hobby or Aero-Models, but- it- is- what- it- is,.......

Bill

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

Im using a power lab 8 and it charged fine then I noticed when I was charging 2 of them together the voltages where jumping all over the places, then tried just to charge and discharge by its self and never would go above 62%

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

cell voltage as follows 1-3.91 2-3.91 3-3.93 4-3.84 5-3.95

AmericanSpectre505

Sounds like a intermittent short. A bad deans connector will do it. I had it happen, fresh clean solder to a deans plug. Placed the battery in the garage, two days later I found it with the plug completely melted. That could have been an insurance claim.

Bill

AmericanSpectre505

How many times have you charged and discharged?

Bill

astropuppy

My Feedback: (23)

Are zippy compacts rated for 2C charge rates?

crashlander

My Feedback: (10)

Bill:
I have 3 sets of lipo batteries I am trying to break in for my Black Magic. I was informed to fly about 10 flights at low throttle for about 5-6 minutes per flight. I have done this for two flight packs and believe me it gets boring (how many rolls and horizontal figure 8's can one do?).
Can I achive the same ressult using my charger, that is charge and slowly dischrge to about 50% capacity to simulate 10 flights on each flight pack, or do I just keep flying.
Perhaps I can run the notoer for short periods of time to discharge the charge again to simulate a short flight.
Need advice.

Thanks, Orlando

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

The packs are new 6 cycles total

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

I will replace the connector and see what happens

AmericanSpectre505

Hey Orlando,

Either way is fine. I did the first three cycles on the ground with one of my VF3 and then I went and flew three. Then I flew a contest. The big thing is you don't want to shock the packs, full bore out the box. Cycling them through a breaking in period normalizes the cells.

Bill

AmericanSpectre505

Put a multi-meter on each pack, if you have one and measure the resistance and the voltage. It would be much better to separate the two pack and individually read them, or the "bad one." Then remove the connector and check it again


Bill

checho4

My Feedback: (4)

Sounds weird.
I have 2 zippy compact 10s, i did not make the breakin, and still working fine.
I always charge with cell balancer.
The only thing thats its difference of the other battery packs, its that this batts get inflate faster than the other batteries.

crashlander

My Feedback: (10)

I have been told by my experts here at RCACF club to break in the batteries. It is just a longevity issue. With the prices of batteries as they are, longevity is an issue.
I have two 4S packs that I never broke in but they puff up very quickly.
My 5S packs have yet to puff up but I am sure they will hopefully not as much as my 4S packs..

Orlando

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Could be a balance tap connection - those wires generally seem fairly cheap and thin on these batteries.

snaproll4

I bought 6 Zippy compacts before I saw this thread. However, I must be the exception becuase I have had very little trouble with Zippy's over the years. I always break them in with 5 easy flights, never drawing more than 1200mah. I charge at 1C or even .75C if I'm not in a hurry(hotel room). And I very seldom draw more than 3600 out of a 5000 pack.

Just today I was flying a Zippy and the power seemed down. When I landed, the pack had 96 flights on it. All in all a good value.

Steve Miller

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

I still havent had a response from HK, but I dont expect too

jetmech43

My Feedback: (9)

Just as I figured HK said they didnt get the pictures I sent of the bad battery, I sent twice, so I will not buy anything else from them and I recommend to everyone not to buy their products, their customer service really sucks, I dont understand why they think you dont matter, my 2 cents dont by batteries from HK

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

i have been phasing out of HK purchases too. it doesn't feel good to support them.

luckymacy

Yes, 2C is their standard max charge spec on any of the f3a sized batteries I've looked at, regardless of the discharge C rating. Doesn't matter if it's their 20C or 45C rated packs like at the links below. A nearby Thunder Power sponsored, top F3A pilot says he only charges at 1C, period, and recommends that if you want any longevitiy out of packs that's key and has a lot of his own data over the years to back his conclusion. I've seen him field charge and that's all he does. He's a name anyone in pattern will know and respect so take that for what it's worth. You buy the expensive packs and want them to last, baby the charge rate and fly often, don't let them just sit around.

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._5S1P_20C.html

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._5S1P_45C.html

Rune

http://www.hobbyking.com/buddy.asp?c...D-F71932D2B48E

well I have been wery happy with mine and here is a buddy code if you want to save some few bucks on them, think the codes is world wide the 5s comes just under 40$ .