Charging Lipo's

Janz99 · June 3rd, 2009, 18:20

So i decieded to buy a lipo pack and charger/balancer. I just have a couple questions about the first initial charge, and charging amperage.

1.Does a lipo battery need to be balanced at each charge, or just at the first initial charge?

2.I have an 11.1v 3sp 20c 1200mah pack, what amperage should the pack be charged at?

Any other precautions or suggestions you guys think i should know before i charge this battery for the first time?

Thanks
Ryan

ILLusion · June 3rd, 2009, 18:25

1. It needs to be kept balanced for EVERY charge.

2. Charge packs at the lowest possible setting your charger can output, while employing some type of fuzzy logic / smart / intelligent charging function.

3. Charge it in an area devoid of ANY flammable materials (concrete floor would be great), just IN CASE something goes wrong.

Janz99 · June 3rd, 2009, 18:34

Im using a b6 x-charger. I think it goes down past 1a, but i havnt checked to confirm yet. So your saying everytime i charge the lipo's i need to use the balance charge feature?

What do you mean by using fuzzy logic / smart / intelligent charging? I dont really see much options other then delta peck detection?

Thanks
Ryan

lemegacool · June 3rd, 2009, 18:55

if you can, charge it outside... just my 2 cents...

Janz99 · June 3rd, 2009, 19:04

I have a large alumiunium plate i plan to charge it on outside in my garage. I dont think ill have much of an issue with it. Lipo's are used in all sorts of applications, and i havnt heard of to many ppl blowing them up, other then on purpose, and the obvious retards that dont know how to read/ask questions.

Ryan

dpvu · June 3rd, 2009, 19:21

I charge in a large stainless steel coffee mug. Good if you're somewhere it's hard to find a non-flammable surface. Like any other battery, they're safe as long as you don't mistreat them. It's just when things go wrong with a LiPo the results are a lot more explosive than with NiCd or NiMh.

m102404 · June 3rd, 2009, 21:36

- avoid getting the pack really hot...rapid discharge/charge
- take extra care not to scratch/tear/scuff/etc..the pack (there's no metal canisters like other batteries...just "bags" of goo)
- if it swells/bloats/expands...don't use it any more
- use the balancing taps EVERY time when you charge
- get a LiPo pack voltage indicator (it's a little LED display that shows the voltage of each cell and the entire pack...plugs into the balance tap)...mine cost $20 at a hobby store. Check the pack before you use it...check it afterwards...if you notice something unusual (like one cell that's way below the others...proceed with caution!!).
- don't store them pretty much discharged (don't know if that's a "rule"...it just doesn't make much sense to me to not have a charged battery)
- charge at either mAh/1000 (so a 1200mAh pack = 1.2A) or at the lowest setting possible (but it'll take longer to charge).

ginnz · June 3rd, 2009, 21:38

id charge at 1.2A, and balance each time..... its no big deal.

SHÖCK · June 3rd, 2009, 21:42

I charge on a baking sheet.

Janz99 · June 3rd, 2009, 21:58

Thanks for all the info guys. Alot of good stuff here.

m104204 - You had mentioned in a PM before that you were using this particular charger. Is there a way to check each cell individualy with this charger, or will it just balance/charge the cells automaticly, without displaying the info. I havnt played with the charger yet, just reading through the user manual right now.

Ryan

lemegacool · June 3rd, 2009, 22:02

i use this before every time i use any of my lipos http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=7704 cost nothing and works pretty well !!

Janz99 · June 3rd, 2009, 23:40

SUCCESS! So i managed to charge and balance this battery without blowing myself or my shop up

So i tried out the gun, and WOW. I love lipo's, BUT, i know i have one problem. I was blasting off some consecutive single shots pretty quickly, and i blew the 20a fuse that came with the gun. Will the wiring be able to handle possibly a 25a, or even a 30a fuse in there instead of the stock 20a?

Thanks
Ryan

ILLusion · June 4th, 2009, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janz99

What do you mean by using fuzzy logic / smart / intelligent charging? I dont really see much options other then delta peck detection?

Delta Peak method is a form of "intelligent" or "smart" charging. What I meant was to NOT use a dummy charger (one that charges based on YOUR calculated time.)

ginnz · June 4th, 2009, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemegacool

i use this before every time i use any of my lipos http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=7704 cost nothing and works pretty well !!

i have a couple of those as well and use them all the time..... there real handy for checking to see if a pack is charged....just wish they would do 8S ;-)

m102404 · June 4th, 2009, 09:26

I bought this one from HobbyHobby in Mississauga. I think it was $20...it was on a shelf behind the counter.

Not complicated at all. Plug in the balancing tap and it'll display the voltage of each cell...then the voltage of the entire pack. Takes about 10sec. It'll just cycle over and over...so I wouldn't leave it plugged in. Just plug it in to check...then stash it away.

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June 3rd, 2009, 18:20	#1
Janz99 Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winnipeg	Charging Lipo's So i decieded to buy a lipo pack and charger/balancer. I just have a couple questions about the first initial charge, and charging amperage. 1.Does a lipo battery need to be balanced at each charge, or just at the first initial charge? 2.I have an 11.1v 3sp 20c 1200mah pack, what amperage should the pack be charged at? Any other precautions or suggestions you guys think i should know before i charge this battery for the first time? Thanks Ryan

June 3rd, 2009, 18:25	#2
ILLusion GBB Whisperer Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Toronto	1. It needs to be kept balanced for EVERY charge. 2. Charge packs at the lowest possible setting your charger can output, while employing some type of fuzzy logic / smart / intelligent charging function. 3. Charge it in an area devoid of ANY flammable materials (concrete floor would be great), just IN CASE something goes wrong. __________________ *Advanced Airsoft Armaments and Enhancements* Quick to the gun, sure of your grip. Quick to the threat, sure of your shot. Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas Accuracy, Power, Speed

June 3rd, 2009, 18:55	#4
lemegacool Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: notre dame des prairies /quebec	if you can, charge it outside... just my 2 cents... __________________ member of fire team NOM. my other regular forum: www.toyotanation.com / gen3,gen4 camry

June 3rd, 2009, 18:34	#3
Janz99 Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winnipeg	Im using a b6 x-charger. I think it goes down past 1a, but i havnt checked to confirm yet. So your saying everytime i charge the lipo's i need to use the balance charge feature? What do you mean by using fuzzy logic / smart / intelligent charging? I dont really see much options other then delta peck detection? Thanks Ryan

June 3rd, 2009, 19:04	#5
Janz99 Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winnipeg	I have a large alumiunium plate i plan to charge it on outside in my garage. I dont think ill have much of an issue with it. Lipo's are used in all sorts of applications, and i havnt heard of to many ppl blowing them up, other then on purpose, and the obvious retards that dont know how to read/ask questions. Ryan

June 3rd, 2009, 19:21	#6
dpvu Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary	I charge in a large stainless steel coffee mug. Good if you're somewhere it's hard to find a non-flammable surface. Like any other battery, they're safe as long as you don't mistreat them. It's just when things go wrong with a LiPo the results are a lot more explosive than with NiCd or NiMh. __________________ JG HK416 KWA USP

June 3rd, 2009, 21:36	#7
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	- avoid getting the pack really hot...rapid discharge/charge - take extra care not to scratch/tear/scuff/etc..the pack (there's no metal canisters like other batteries...just "bags" of goo) - if it swells/bloats/expands...don't use it any more - use the balancing taps EVERY time when you charge - get a LiPo pack voltage indicator (it's a little LED display that shows the voltage of each cell and the entire pack...plugs into the balance tap)...mine cost $20 at a hobby store. Check the pack before you use it...check it afterwards...if you notice something unusual (like one cell that's way below the others...proceed with caution!!). - don't store them pretty much discharged (don't know if that's a "rule"...it just doesn't make much sense to me to not have a charged battery) - charge at either mAh/1000 (so a 1200mAh pack = 1.2A) or at the lowest setting possible (but it'll take longer to charge).

June 3rd, 2009, 21:38	#8
ginnz Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Small Town! Manitoba	id charge at 1.2A, and balance each time..... its no big deal.

June 3rd, 2009, 21:42	#9
SHÖCK aka SNK or Shaniqua Trader rating Join Date: May 2008 Location: Calgary, AB	I charge on a baking sheet. __________________ SHÖCK

June 3rd, 2009, 21:58	#10
Janz99 Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winnipeg	Thanks for all the info guys. Alot of good stuff here. m104204 - You had mentioned in a PM before that you were using this particular charger. Is there a way to check each cell individualy with this charger, or will it just balance/charge the cells automaticly, without displaying the info. I havnt played with the charger yet, just reading through the user manual right now. Ryan

June 3rd, 2009, 22:02	#11
lemegacool Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: notre dame des prairies /quebec	i use this before every time i use any of my lipos http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=7704 cost nothing and works pretty well !! __________________ member of fire team NOM. my other regular forum: www.toyotanation.com / gen3,gen4 camry

June 3rd, 2009, 23:40	#12
Janz99 Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winnipeg	SUCCESS! So i managed to charge and balance this battery without blowing myself or my shop up So i tried out the gun, and WOW. I love lipo's, BUT, i know i have one problem. I was blasting off some consecutive single shots pretty quickly, and i blew the 20a fuse that came with the gun. Will the wiring be able to handle possibly a 25a, or even a 30a fuse in there instead of the stock 20a? Thanks Ryan

June 4th, 2009, 09:26	#15
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	I bought this one from HobbyHobby in Mississauga. I think it was $20...it was on a shelf behind the counter. Not complicated at all. Plug in the balancing tap and it'll display the voltage of each cell...then the voltage of the entire pack. Takes about 10sec. It'll just cycle over and over...so I wouldn't leave it plugged in. Just plug it in to check...then stash it away.

Charging Lipo's

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