seabej

Got some new lipos in needing some help on proper charging and breaking in the batteries are 2 cell 7.4 needing to know if I need to charge with the balance plug or just hook them up and go I will be using the batteries for racing no bashing. Any and all will help

Darkgenerals

iTrader: (71)

Its good rule of thumb to balance charge everytime. May take a bit longer if the packs get out of balance slightly, but peace of mind is worth the extra time.

I know people suggest breaking in the lipo by charging and discharging several times on your charger. I just throw it in my buggy/SC truck and go with it.

lbenton

iTrader: (48)

No need to break in a lipo. Just balance it to run it, do not run it too low (your ESC likely has Low Voltage Cut off or some form of lipo protection) and if you will be a day or two not running it use your charger in storage mode to storage charge the lipo.

Basic rules summed up

1 - Balance it, do not use "charge" function of the charger.
2 - Do not run it down too low, most ESCs will handle that for you.
3 - Storage charge it when not in use.
4 - Room temperature, do not get your lipo hot. Treat it like a pet and do not leave it in hot cars.

token

I strongly recommend a Lipo storage/charge bag. I use a cinder block to charge them and a metal filing cabnit to store them in my home....

seabej

Awesome thanks for the tips

Prince Nuada

iTrader: (1)

Balance charge always. Put in a lipo sack everything while you charge.

mdl060374

iTrader: (3)

can you elaborate on this? this something I never did and left them up to a month at a time unused..

this is a safety issue? Or just to preserve the health?

also, I am out of town now so can't check my chargers instructions, but I am guessing just using the function will take them to a level where they can be left for longer periods?

klaymon

iTrader: (71)

It's both. A LiPo left at full charge for very long can start to swell/puff. This not only degrades the cells, but it's dangerous.

Some chargers do not have a storage mode. Check your charger's instructions. Set your storage mode to about 3.8V per cell (7.6V for a 2S pack). If you charger does not have a dedicated storage mode, you can either charge or discharge the pack to that voltage then stop the cycle.

mdl060374

iTrader: (3)

Sounds good, thanks.

sakadachi

iTrader: (1)

I think as long as there is sufficient storage charge it wont hurt them while in storage.

I'm taking notes also as I'm from the NiCd era...