3LikesBattery Balancing issues
02-22-2018 | 06:57 PM
#16
When this happens, I use a stand alone balancer to get both cells to the same level, let the pack sit for a while, then measure the resistance using an esr meter to determine if one cell is weaker than the other. Measuring ir while charging isn't necessarily accurate.
02-22-2018 | 07:00 PM
#18
I've had 3 protek batteries that do the same thing. I've also had 2 that were just fine. Doesn't matter what your charge rate is the battery is just junk. Cycling 20 times and it won't fix it. I contacted Amain for one of my batteries that had the issue, and they replaced it after I sent them a picture of it on my icharger. However, I just dealt with the fact that the other two are for practice. I now run R1 batteries. I've also heard good things about the EAM batteries.
02-22-2018 | 07:01 PM
#19
Not a bad idea. The issue isn’t IR though (which is 1.6 and 1.8 on this pack), the issue is simply the time it takes for one of the cells to match the other.
02-22-2018 | 07:02 PM
#20
I've had 3 protek batteries that do the same thing. I've also had 2 that were just fine. Doesn't matter what your charge rate is the battery is just junk. Cycling 20 times and it won't fix it. I contacted Amain for one of my batteries that had the issue, and they replaced it after I sent them a picture of it on my icharger. However, I just dealt with the fact that the other two are for practice. I now run R1 batteries. I've also heard good things about the EAM batteries.
02-22-2018 | 07:03 PM
#21
Hundreds if not thousands of people who run at the top level at their respective tracks in 17.5 and 13.5 charge and discharge at these astronomical levels. I agree, it sounds insane and dangerous, but 30+ guys at my track alone do this every race day and have been for many years without issue. A level of care and attention to the condition of the battery as well as a charger capable of monitoring and charging at these rates is necessary. I wasn’t a believer until I stepped up from 20 amps to 40 and started discharging. They also discharge at 40 but I’ve found 30 still gets the IR’s down for a punch that doesn’t fade for an entire race.
Your kinda on the cutting edge of charging and while alot of people may swoon over protek, its Amains off brand. Maybe the dude assembling the cells had a cold that day and messed up. There is no way to know these things.
02-23-2018 | 12:45 AM
#22
Hundreds if not thousands of people who run at the top level at their respective tracks in 17.5 and 13.5 charge and discharge at these astronomical levels. I agree, it sounds insane and dangerous, but 30+ guys at my track alone do this every race day and have been for many years without issue. A level of care and attention to the condition of the battery as well as a charger capable of monitoring and charging at these rates is necessary. I wasn’t a believer until I stepped up from 20 amps to 40 and started discharging. They also discharge at 40 but I’ve found 30 still gets the IR’s down for a punch that doesn’t fade for an entire race.
02-23-2018 | 05:31 AM
#23
Tech Elite
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,433
From: Detroit
is it wise to charge a 2 cell lipo at 30 to 40 amps..hmm to me no.. why push a battery to those extremes?.. from the times you listed in charge time your no faster than me charging at 1C only in 15minutes i can charge my battery from 7.70 volts to 8.4. then back on the track no risk of fires to anyone. marshalls drivers around your charge anyone..
02-23-2018 | 08:30 AM
#25
I don't use this "quick balance" feature at all, but I thought it was in there, I didn't know that's how it worked, good info
02-23-2018 | 08:39 AM
#26
40A is by no way "astronomical"
I discharge @ 30A and charge at 15A if anyone cares
30A = 215W so, like a 13.5?
The first generations of lithiums were a new frontier in batteries, maybe scared us into worrying too much of a fire, now I always charge in a lipo bag and won't walk away from a charging battery that i'm trying to get warm, but that's just basic responsibility, I have little belief that my batteries will actually burst into fire from what we're doing, especially if you're on the LiHV or whatever packs where we're only charging to 8.4 and they can supposedly take 8.6
I discharge @ 30A and charge at 15A if anyone cares
30A = 215W so, like a 13.5?
The first generations of lithiums were a new frontier in batteries, maybe scared us into worrying too much of a fire, now I always charge in a lipo bag and won't walk away from a charging battery that i'm trying to get warm, but that's just basic responsibility, I have little belief that my batteries will actually burst into fire from what we're doing, especially if you're on the LiHV or whatever packs where we're only charging to 8.4 and they can supposedly take 8.6
02-23-2018 | 09:20 AM
#27
Tech Elite
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,433
From: Detroit
Hundreds if not thousands of people who run at the top level at their respective tracks in 17.5 and 13.5 charge and discharge at these astronomical levels. I agree, it sounds insane and dangerous, but 30+ guys at my track alone do this every race day and have been for many years without issue. A level of care and attention to the condition of the battery as well as a charger capable of monitoring and charging at these rates is necessary. I wasn’t a believer until I stepped up from 20 amps to 40 and started discharging. They also discharge at 40 but I’ve found 30 still gets the IR’s down for a punch that doesn’t fade for an entire race.
02-23-2018 | 09:54 AM
#29
Tech Regular
iTrader: (36)
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 426
It's possible that it's not discharging through the balance lead. I had this happen a couple of times with my 308duo when it was taking a long time to charge/discharge. Progressive eventually sent me a different charger. I would try a different charger. It does sound to me like it's possible the battery might not be optimal too.