I have some practically new Duratrax LiPo Onyx 3S 11.1V 5000mAh 25C - and after 1-2 uses, I am unable to charge one of them. I keep getting a 'low voltage error' message. I may have another thread on here from a while back, if I do I apologize. I tried one recommended trick - charging in NiMh mode and then switching to LiPo, but nothing seems to be working.

DTX flat out told me I'm SOL, they won't replace it or repair it. I'm pretty bummed - I know I charged it according to the instructions - used in my Traxxas E-Revo. They are telling me my ESC did it, but Castle/Traxxas told me it is programmed for this voltage out of the box, and that no adjustments were needed. I am surprised DTX wasn't more help - obviously I'll buy batteries elsewhere in the future, but I am considering just buying one of those one-touch Traxxas chargers and switching all of my plugs back to Traxxas so I can just press a button and charge 2 batteri

The battery is here

Your 3S pack is reading less then 9v. One of cells or more is less than 2.95v. That what your Charger sees. Read voltage on Charger Balance mode tells you which cells are low. Which reading you get on charger??

What are the cut off voltage set on your ESC?

I did some searching around, and it looks like this problem is more common than I thought (with this charger). I don't think I am able to determine the exact voltage of individual cells however, unless I'm missing something. I am going to try the NiMH charge again at a different charge rate and see if I can bring it back. Nothing to lose at this point.

As for the question about the ESC,
Default setting is 3.2v per cell, so for a 4s lipo the ESC will shut down when the total voltage drops to 12.8v, or if 3.4v per cell is used it will shut down at 13.6v etc etc.

What charger you use? So I can DL the manual. Even with a Voltmeter, battery will read with 3s, less than 9v.

How long did you try NIMH mode? I had a ~2.4V each cell in a 4s I bought off the forums here and it took probably 20-30 minutes @ .1A to get it back to 3V. I balanced charged it all the way back to full at 1/10 C and it has been performing awesome.

This is my charger here - THANK YOU

Well...it's pretty common in the rc world what you are having in one lipo...

Been there to many times, to consider that a problem anymore...

Keep in mind that lipos are 3.7v nominal and 4.2v max charged.
They must be at 3,85v to storage during months, without touching them. Anything less then 3,2v or storing them above 3,90v will start to deteriorate rapidly, either by sweeling or internal resistance increase like mad and no more amps to run...

The mode's charge that we call names are pure numbers for chargers....
li-fe = 3.3v
li-po = 3.7v
li-ion = 3.6v
Pb= 2v (your 1:1 car batery)
Ni-mh = 1.2v
and so many more....

We call names, the charger only see numbers. Allright?

Now when a low charged lipo is on the mix of various cells, the charger's report back that's an error simply because the math is mixed and F"#$"# up.

Try to find the low charged cell individual, very carefull with something like this:
-Multimeter, get the plugs pointed on the balance lead and find the dead one!
-Some kind of pins to charge that dead lipo

Now the charger need to be in ni-mh mode, cause that's a blind mode to charge that not need a specific charge (voltage) to start charging... and carefull stop when reach 4.2v on the lipo. Carefull on that. It takes around a minute or 2 os less for that charging a lipo at 1C. I mean do not pass 4.2v cause the ni-mh never stops charging above 4.2v...it's a blind process... that's why it's dangerous! PEOPLE do not read manuals, or do not know the theory and do S!"#$, even if we tell them to do this way....

Now if she keep the voltage seconds after that ni-mh mode...she's good and then charge her now in lipo mode! If she looses the voltage in 2 to 3 seconds after that charge in ni-mh shes DEAD. Period!






-These are some photos of some of mine that i bring to life, doing this....

I repeat take extra carefull to not touch the red and negative of lipos...it's and instant BANG! They are dangerous!

But with comon sense and extra care, it can de done safelly!

Take notice that those are High End lipos like the ones in photos, and still those are the ones that sometimes a single cell gets below safe voltage... Also don't let pass more then 2 to 3 days after one cell is below safe voltage. She will start to gain memory and die very fast...it should be done as soon as possible...
They will be fine afterwards (in those 2 to 3 days) if not loosing voltage after the ni-mh mode in seconds and charged, obvsiously....

-Revolectrix
-Gens Ace
-ThunderPower

Also anything cheaper, could be equal or worse... it's a lipo thing!! Good or bad, doesn't matter!! They all dye!

Hope that helps...i only share knowlodge, cause when i needed in the earlier days someone did the same thing to me! That's what foruns are all about! Sharing knowlodge, and not to be at mercy of manufacters or shop owners, that only know one thing...and can't pass that line cause it's not their business! :P

Also a lipo alarm, will tell you what cell is below voltage (dead) conected in the right position into the balance leads of the lipo...and always but always charge with balance mode into the charger! Never charge in charge mode...unless your charger do not have a "Balance Charge" mode, but still charges in balance mode with the balance plugs on.

set up your charger to 3S(11.1) 5000mah.
Set charging, Balance, Discharge, any 1 of these.
Press enter charger will start charging.
At anytime while charging you can press the INC button. this will show the voltage of cells in your pack 3S.

In instruction manual pg 10 item 6 under Balancing. It can be used on any function used. Make sure your balancing board is installed.

Then tell me if 1 cell it low, below 3v. Also the error shown you may have set the amps too low, lower then 5amps. Ck your settings!!

Good luck!!!

I've tried everything. Battery is toast. There's $70 right down the toilet. Very frustrating. Thanks for your help everyone who replied. Any recommendations for a DIFFERENT manufacturer that might support their product a little better?

any and all lipos will do this if you run them down too far.

Amazon.com to the rescue - I wrote in and told them of my plight, and they setup a return for a refund. Who's better than them? Now I have one good DTX battery that I'll pair with a Venom or something and see how it goes. Thanks again for all of your help, everyone!