I've noticed over the last few weeks my 4 lipo packs have become really flat.

I have 2 x Trakpower 4800mah Saddle Lipos (3.5 months old) and 2 x Orion 3800 30c lipos (1 month old).

From day 1 each battery was charged with a Much More Silent Charger AC/DC charger through a Checkpoint Balancer. I started noticing the voltage of the packs jump from 7.9v to 8.4v and back (different values but voltage wouldn't remain constant). When the charge was complete the voltage would immediately drop to 7.9v or less (as shown on the charger).

Two weeks ago I pulled the balancer off the charger and did a "Discharge Balance" with the Checkpoint balancer. When it was done, I charged the battery directly (without the balancer). The pack was back to what it should be.

Since then, I have been charging again through the balancer and now my packs are again really flat.

I believe what's happening is the Checkpoint balancer is not balancing correctly and actually bringing my packs more out of balance than actually balancing them. Something is REALLY not right here.

Any thoughts?

I have not seen that before, but my checkpoint balancer never seems to want to charge thru balance, it shuts off a lot. Most of the time its because its going over 5 amp charge rate, but lately, its been doing it under 1 amp. Personally, I think it should default to charge thru mode, but what do I know.

Because of this, I have also been discharge balancing and then just recharging the packs without the balancer. Seems to work very well, and the packs all seem to stay very close cell to cell. I would get a new one, or borrow a friends and see if they come out differently. keep an eye on the batteries with a volt meter, you might find out whats causing it. If it turns out to be the charger, call Jack at the number on their site. You might have better luck at getting your issue fixed than I did.

I can never get it to charge when I use the balancer. So I just discharge with the balancer, and charge without it.

Paul

had an experience with another balance charger and the charging fault symptom is very similar. later, i found the problem was on the balance port connector contact. please see whether can help....