joeh5088

iTrader: (1)

Hi
Newbie question regarding the lifespan of lipo batteries. I have two 4s hard case batteries I use in EP buggy, one is 2 months old and the other is 3 months old both batteries are swollen and have cracked cases and have fluid leaking from them. Is this normal? I balance charge them before use and storage charge when I'm not using them. I realise Ep buggy is hard on batteries with jumps and rough surfaces but at $130 each it seems wrong to have to replace them so soon.

nexxus

iTrader: (315)

If they are leaking fluid, they belong in the bin.

joeh5088

iTrader: (1)

Best place to dispose of them?

RAST

iTrader: (8)

Also you say you storage them charge?

Don't fully charge them and then store them as this will result in puffing.

Just half charge them and then store them.

joeh5088

iTrader: (1)

Only storage charge them after I use them for racing or practice. 3.85v per cell is what my charger is set at for storage charge.

nexxus

iTrader: (315)

Take them to battery world and they recycle them, do not throw it in the rubbish as they could rupture under the compaction used in the garbage trucks.

mushroomed

iTrader: (8)

I have an LRP 110c Shorty pack that appears to have developed a 'clunk'. Almost as if the cells are slightly loose within the case. Has anyone else experience this? Should I be worried or looking at warranty? Pack has less than 10 runs and hang been dropped or anything.

lookieaefanboi

iTrader: (39)

I had the same thing with lrp saddles. No issue if it is only a slight clunk. Gotta have a little free play as the cells will expand and contract a little.

Gunna

iTrader: (4)

I had some cheap (Prosonix 4s 5200 60c Lipos $45 each) that I bought 3 1/2 years ago, only charged them before a race meet on balance, at the meet they only got charged, not balanced. They were never storage charged and would sometimes go 2-3 months without charging. They still work very well and I have just put them in my nitro starter box! I will say that I charged them softly, i.e. at about 2 to 3.5 amps, Others would charge them at 5+amps and never got a long life out of them.
I think your charger and the software that it uses has a lot to do with battery life and capacity as well. I have charged a battery on one charger, on balance, taken that battery off when it was finished (or so the charger said!) Then put it on another charger on balance again and got another 400mah into it!!!!

astropolak

I am fairly new to this hobby but have spent quite a bit of time sorting my battery problems...

Do the batteries get hot during discharge (car runs) ?
Do they get hot during charge ?
Does your ESC have a low voltage cut out ? Do you set it high enough ? I use 3.5V. With 4x cells there is more danger of out of balance discharge and going below 3V on a cell - this will damage the cell.
Did you check the battery voltage whilst storage charge (I mean battery across each cell - you have 4x) about 3.8V
Do you check battery voltage during ballance charge (across each battery cell) ? no more than 4.2V

The 2x items above need to be done only once - just to confirm the charger is not damaging your batteries.

Lastly - did you choose a good brand of battery ?

RGDS Joe

joeh5088

iTrader: (1)

Batteries get slightly warm while running car
They have never been hot at anytime
Yes my ESC is set for 3.4v cutoff
I monitor the batteries during charging always balance charge
Virus brand batteries