Dying Lipos- Only sometimes working?
 

Hi everyone,

I have 4 Turnigy nano-tech 5000mah 3S 65~130C batteries I use in my ERevo (BL). I run 2 packs at a time in a 6S configuration.

I bought two of the batteries a couple of years ago, and the newer once around 9 months.

The older 2 do not hold a charge all the time. I will charge them till the charger is finished with them and use them in the ERevo and they will also a few minutes and then cut out. The newer 2 batteries work great though.

However, the older set do occasionally work as new. Why am I getting 5 minutes (or none at all) sometimes, and other times getting half an hour out of the same pack?

Admittedly I used to store them fully charged, but now if they are fully charged it was for a few days max.

Also, the batteries have not slowly been giving less runtime. One day they just conked out straight away, but then worked next time.

So are my batteries dead? Or is there a way to fix them?

Are the packs balanced? Any puffing? Don't mess with lipos, especially turnigys

Slight puffing from when the packs were used the first couple of times from a few years ago.

I balance charge them every time I charge to 4.2v per cell.

For the cost of the turnigys just replace them. Its not worth the risk in second guessing lipos. To be honest you'd be better to invest in some decent packs like SMC's for example. Turnigys are garbage to tell you the truth.

Good thing we have you around to steer us straight :rolleyes:

Yeah it is...

Even your best lipo can only be used some many times, and some uses will cost you more than others (like 4wd SC vs stock buggy are night and day different in demand on the battery).

Running paired setups like that do not mix old and new batteries, they need to be pretty close in age/use and the same specs. Otherwise you run the risk of getting something below a safe voltage at the very least.

My guess is the old batteries are just tired and in need of replacement.

Nailed it and for the cost of the turnigy's its cheap insurance. Turnigys are great packs and I prefer them to my SMC (My R1Wurks are the best imho though).

Replace them and move on.

Thanks for the help everyone. It appears they are dead and I will get a new set.

I never mix and match batteries, use only the same kind and age together.

And batteries to look for: SMC and R1Wurks. Any others?

Venom is good for the long game with what may be the best coverage down the road with the trade in option but they are pricy up front.
I also like SMC for up front value.
But you can honestly do very will with most brands, as for me I do like SMC and Venom though.

Really the turnigys are a great bang for the buck and if you are just bashing, get them again. I have not been all that impressed with my SMC's at this point, had them 6 months and only used in 17.5 stock and mod sedan and already puffed. My turnigy nano-techs have better punch, are older and have more cycles and still have a lower IR and no puff.

If I was buying batteries again today I would run R1Wurks with Nano-techs as practice.