I bought three 4-cell IB3800 packs from a big matcher and unfortunately one pack vented on the first charge. Although these are not SMC batteries, I was following the guidelines posted on smc-racing.com because it was one of the few places I could find published guildelines. (6A linear, 20millivolt peak).
The matcher is replacing my pack, luckily for me, but they strongly suggest a 5A max charge rate and not 6A. I charged two other packs (from the same matcher) of IB3800 at 6A with no problems.
Of course now I am nervous about charging at 6A since that was my first cell failure ever. I have read and heard other matchers recommending 5A max also, but as we all know you ask 10 people how they charge and you'll get 10 different answers. I hate to give up the extra punch that 6A charging can give you for stock racing.
So the questions..
Is this matcher being overly cautious by recommending 5A charging max for these cells?