Charging problem

[BrianG]

The disadvantage to balancing at any point after the charge is that any high cells will be discharged until they are at the same level as the others. This could reduce runtime, albeit very little. As long as the pack is fully balanced by the end of the charge cycle, there should be no imbalance.

Jhautz, the reason for charging and balancing a pack somewhat discharged is to provide enough time for the balancer to work. Balancers usually discharge the high cells at around 100mA tops. But if you are charging at say 5A, that discharge will have little effect. In essense, any high cells would be charged at 4.9A (net charge of 5A with a 100mA drain), so those cells are charged slightly slower and then the lower cells have more of a chance to catch up. I hope that made sense.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

The disadvantage to balancing at any point after the charge is that any high cells will be discharged until they are at the same level as the others. This could reduce runtime, albeit very little. As long as the pack is fully balanced by the end of the charge cycle, there should be no imbalance.

Jhautz, the reason for charging and balancing a pack somewhat discharged is to provide enough time for the balancer to work. Balancers usually discharge the high cells at around 100mA tops. But if you are charging at say 5A, that discharge will have little effect. In essense, any high cells would be charged at 4.9A (net charge of 5A with a 100mA drain), so those cells are charged slightly slower and then the lower cells have more of a chance to catch up. I hope that made sense.

Brian my packs just finished charging. Two of the 4 leds are still on, do you think i should run it as is or balance them again ?. They were balanced before i started the charge process.

[BrianG]

I would let them finish balancing. After you put several runs on that pack, the cells shouldn't do that anymore.

So, for future charges: If the balancer lights are flashing, I would leave the pack connected until the lights stop even if the charge is done.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I would let them finish balancing. After you put several runs on that pack, the cells shouldn't do that anymore.

So, for future charges: If the balancer lights are flashing, I would leave the pack connected until the lights stop even if the charge is done.

I allready took them of the balancer before your repliy . Do you think it's okay to run them or should i balance them again to be safe ?".

[BrianG]

You should be ok. Remember, flashing LEDs on the balancer means they are slightly out of balance. Solid LEDs would mean a bad imbalance. Although, it certainly won't hurt to balance them before running.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

You should be ok. Remember, flashing LEDs on the balancer means they are slightly out of balance. Solid LEDs would mean a bad imbalance. Although, it certainly won't hurt to balance them before running.

When i say flashing it it looks really fast like a flicker. it kind of looks soild but you can see a slight flicker. I have also seen a on & off blinking.

Pack A cells are 4.16 & 4.14
Pack B cells are 4.14 each

[BrianG]

That's fine then. A 0.02v deviation is nothing to worry about IMO.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

That's fine then. A 0.02v deviation is nothing to worry about IMO.

Could this be because they were sitting for a while before i bought them, & could this get better after i use them a little ?.

[BrianG]

I don't know why, I just know that after a few cycles, they don't seem to be out of balance as much.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I don't know why, I just know that after a few cycles, they don't seem to be out of balance as much.

Thank's

[jhautz]

Originally Posted by rchippie

Does it make a difference in performance if your lipo's are charged at a low amp rate, like it does with NIMH ?.

no .

[rchippie]

After using my lipo's & they cool off can i just put them back on the charger or do i have to do something else first ?.

[jhautz]

Just let them cool and charge them up.

[rchippie]

Originally Posted by jhautz

Just let them cool and charge them up.

Thank's for answering my ?'s. 4S lipo seems to have as much if not more power & punch than the 14 IB 3800 cells i was running LOL :005: .