Lipo tips post here!

[MrKiwi]

I need, and im sure other new people to electric rc, tips on lipo batteries! any tip would be appreciated. charging, discharging, handling, etc.. thanks

Armon

[exeter_acres]

it really isn't voodoo or something....

make sure your charger can handle lipo's
never charge at more than 1C
never discharge to less than 3v per cell (use a timer, cutoff, alarm, or the ABSOLUTE first sign of loss of power...LAND the thing)
allow the battery to cool before charging
Don't leave the house while charging
don't charge in your car
don't leave them on a charger overnight....
Don't cycle them

all pretty standard stuff
Hope that helps....

[MrKiwi]

Thanks, any tips r apperciated. and wats cycling? and how do u discharge them? thanks

Armon

[Uncle Brett]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187
Almost everything you need to know is at this link

[3dubya]

Short circuiting them and charging them on nicad settings is the best fireworks show you will ever get. Real 4July stuff..

[MrKiwi]

LMAO

[TonyThomasian]

LOL. That works the best w/ a thunder power 3 cell 2100mah right.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

	Quote: Originally Posted by 3dubya
	Short circuiting them and charging them on nicad settings is the best fireworks show you will ever get. Real 4July stuff..

[TonyThomasian]

Also don't do this!

I got it from a different thread... http://youtube.com/watch?v=SQ0SNESIkWk

[Doc]

	Quote: Originally Posted by deadstickpilot
	Thanks, any tips r apperciated. and wats cycling? and how do u discharge them? thanks Armon

dont charge them in your plane, in fact charge them on an area of concrete (non-combustible) if you can, so if they do explode, they're not on/near something that will burn.

i like to stay in the room (garage) with them or at least pop in and see how they're going every few minutes.
if they get HOT, stop charging immediately and make sure they're on eg. concrete and away from anything combustible - they can heat up even more after you disconnect the charger, and blow up 10-20 min later!

charge AT 1C (not above and not below; ie dont trickle charge them)

cycling is when you use your charger to discharge the battery fully, then recharge it fully. this is one cycle. NiCd can be cycled 3-4 times in a row every couple of months to check their capacity, and it may remove some memory effects. you dont need to cycle LiPO's, although some like to balance their cells every half a dozen charges, if they are drawing high current (eg 20C) from them. NiMH can be cycled once every few months to check their capacity.

cycling can also be improtant if you are planning to start a family...

[EXTREME FLIGHT]

The best advice I can give is to buy a watt meter. Always plug the watt meter in between the battery and ESC and monitor what is going on with your system. This will tell you immediately if you are operating within the specified range of the battery, motor and ESC. For the cost of a battery pack you can purchase one of these. Very helpful when setting up a new plane. One battery pack saved is worth the investment!

[MrKiwi]

	Quote: Originally Posted by TonyThomasian
	LOL. That works the best w/ a thunder power 3 cell 2100mah right.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?

Tony, dont count on me doing that. i got these bateries for $12 off and im not willing to destry them. although they would make a nice explosion.... my charger oes from .8 amps to 1.3 amps. should i charge them a the .8 amps or the 1.3 amps? theres no 1 amp unfortunatly. thanks for all the info! keep'em coming, please.

Armon

[Doc]

	Quote: Originally Posted by deadstickpilot
	Tony, dont count on me doing that. i got these bateries for $12 off and im not willing to destry them. although they would make a nice explosion.... my charger oes from .8 amps to 1.3 amps. should i charge them a the .8 amps or the 1.3 amps? theres no 1 amp unfortunatly. thanks for all the info! keep'em coming, please. Armon

how many cells and what capacity are they? (that charger sounds a bit under-capatilized...)