Lipo Question

[Guest]

So a few weeks ago I was testing out my electronics. I knew it would be a while before I could get back to it. So I left my transmitter and reciever on to drain the battery. Transmitter is charging fine. But the battery charger keeps blinking. I've only charged and discharged this battery two times. So...should I just leave it plugged in and cross my fingers?

[Guest]

Re: Lipo Question

So I left my transmitter and reciever on to drain the battery.

Why?

[JWLaRue]

Re: Lipo Question

LiPo batteries do not like to be deeply discharged. It can damage the battery.

Do you have a voltmeter so that you can test the voltage on the problem LiPo battery?

-Jeff

[Rogue Sub]

Re: Lipo Question

I learned the hard way with my first helicopter. Never over discharge your batteries. I think I went through 5-6 batteries before I figured it out. I kept wanting to fly just a little bit longer. None of the batteries ever held a charge past a few minutes after they were over discharged and these were not the cheapos from china. Mine would blink just as yours do when plugged in. It was the charger telling me that the cells were damaged and could no longer be charged....sorry buddy.

[Rogue Sub]

Re: Lipo Question

P.S.

I used to believe that keeping my lipos stored at 90% capacity was best policy but, I have been hearing more and more at the airfields that 50% is the best storage capacity. I guess its up to you to decide what you think works...as long as its not zero

[KevinMC]

Re: Lipo Question

3.8V per cell is the recommended storage voltage from the reading I've done. (Funny thing, when I buy new packs they all seem to come in at that voltage too...) Part of my post-run clean-up is to get all my packs dis/charged to that level and if I've got any packs that didn't get used I'll discharge them as well before they get put away. Storing them in a cool place for the winter is also good practise.

Of course I've also heard something about saran wrap preserving the freshness of the polymer matrix!