Charging rates?
 

I gave had my lrp charger for a few years now, about to buy a icharger.
Just spoken to the shop I am buying it from and they say that I am not charging right!
(because I don't charge over 4amp, and keep the power in there for a few hours before using them)
And I discharge them to 3.4v to store them.
He says that I should charge at 10amp, but discharge them before to warm up the cell to increase punch, but my lrp lcc 5600 have loads of punch.
Am I charging them wrong?

I have never heard anyone say you should be charging at high amp for longevity of a lipo. Maybe for charging for racing etc lots of guys have lots of opinions on how to charge. But when it comes to keeping your battery good for as long as possible I have never heard that high amp is better.

Nope you're not charging anything incorrectly. Though you could go for a 1c charge rate at 5.6 amps for that specific battery. Charging at any higher amps isn't necessarily bad but it will most likely shorten the lifespan a tiny bit. People fast charge all the time. But keeping it at or close to a 1c charge rate is best.

As for storage charge, I've been told to keep it between. 3.7v and 3.9v per cell. You're discharging them pretty close to lipo cutoff voltage.

yeah was going to say thats the only thing that might be a bit off. That voltage is a bit low from what Ive researched.

I used to discharge mine too and found out in discharge mode they don't run down evenly. There is no balance discharge, like there is a balance charge. So when one cell gets weak that 3.4 on one cell may be 2.8 on a weak cell. I don't even use discharge anymore. just charge/balance and storage. A lot of batteries will have a suggested C rate charge on the label. Some are capable of pretty high charge rates. I stay at 1C for older batteries. And new batteries with the 5-6c charge rate stickers I'll charge at 2c. My 6700 4s pack I'll charge at 13.4, and my 4600 shorty's I'll charge at 9.2a I never charge/discharge/charge to warm up a cell for more punch and I do just fine.

Actually with an icharger, the first cell to hit 3.0 on discharge will stop the discharge process.

Buying an Icharger to charge @5A is silly. You would be better off buying a Reedy 1216-C2 for less money and have 2 ports with up to 12A each.

This... With an Icharger, charge at 40A

I would not charge a lipo pack at a rate higher than 1C unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Can it be done? Sure. Should it be done? I don't feel that it's a good idea, but maybe my understanding of the cell chemistry is out-of-date.

For storage, shooting for a voltage around 3.7V corresponds to a charge level of ~50%, which is a good compromise (you want to lower the voltage in order to decrease the self-aging of the cells, but not so far that there is an unreasonable risk of self-discharge to dangerously low levels).

:nod:

Sorry have had Internet issue's.
I have been told to charge at 20amp to increase the punch of the batteries,but my lrp batteries have the punch I needed. I race blinky 13.5 with the motor on 30 degree, which the club allows.
But I have read in magazines, forums that doing what I do is enough. But then I get a bit of dought , and have to ask you stupid question's to get some sense of it. Because I have swelled new battery's after a few months, but found out after getting both of my lrps check, it was a faulty batch of batteries.

ONly thing that matters is that you're happy with what you're doing. The only guys that are charging at higher rates are all the stock guys because for mod it makes no difference. Stock guys are trying to gain every advantage they can get and yes you do get more punch by slamming your batteries with a 40 amp charge. I use a iCharger 410 Duo and I discharge at 20 and charge at 20 on a cycle. I hit the button once and it does it all for me. I haven't found a need to charge at 40 yet for our local club racing and big race events as I am able to keep up with sportsman and expert classes.

Again if you're feeling good charging at 5 amps then just continue to do so. You will feel a difference though if you decide to bump up to 20+. Shoot these guys are charging at 70 amps now with these new plugs its crazy