I bought a new racers edge 7.4v 20c 5000mah battery. before i charged it i noticed the battery was not completely flat and like the casing wasn't completely sealed. is this normal? and at what amp should i charge it at?
thanks for any help or advice i'm just getting my feet wet.

dont know if I would use the battery id take it in and have someone look at it. As fare as charging goes charge at 5 amps every 1000 mah is 1 amp

I would take it to a more experienced hobbiest or your local shop before use. It shouldnt be swelled. Im guessing its a hard pack and it should be flat and sealed. If its splitting the plastic seem then the cell(s) are puffed. Some people use them, but I wouldnt. I like my house! No fires for me!

Take it back where you bought it and get one thats not puffed. There is something wrong with this lipo. You paid for a new one and received a damaged one.

what he said

I would take it back also. Puffed lipos are bad news.

thanks for your advice. i will take it back where i bought it from.

I went there today and they replaced it for me. I checkeed it before I walked out of the store and the new one is completely flat. thanks for the help.

Glad it worked out.

I take a lipo voltage checker with me and I also check voltage to be absolutely sure I get a good lipo.