Originally Posted by
TedMosby
Sure that's one scenario, but the fact is lipo cells are like a finger print, no 2 are identical, and they can vary in charging/discharging characteristics, especially on cheaply made packs. This has nothing to do with one cell being bad, just slightly different. After numerous cycles the difference adds up to an unbalanced pack. If you've been in rc long, you are aware of the practice of balancing NiCad and NMHi cells, and/or using "matched" cells. It's the same concept. Try using a cheap ebay lipo for a year or two without balancing it and let me know what happens.
I'll agree, and we'll leave it at that, no need to start
another cheap vs. expensive lipo war. Maybe my choice to crack my wallet open a little further has contributed to the fact that I've never had a lipo "go bad", other than reaching the end of it's useful life. I also balance charge 90% of the time, it's not any extra work really so why not.
If 2 cells need constant balancing from day one maybe it's a marriage that should have never happened..
Higher quality (not price) packs don't tend to have this issue.