focus07
Stock Class Racer
Posts: 45
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Post by focus07 on Sept 4, 2008 13:09:01 GMT -5
I dont see the electronics forum so I will post here, mods please move if in wrong spot. I have FINALLY gotten into Lipo's, I just picked up a Onyx 230 charger and a TeamOrion 3600 7.4v 25C 2S-!P lipo battery. Since its a 3600, do I charge at 3.6amps? Or a different setting? Another thing I was going to pick up was a balancer but the LHS didn't have any in stock. But I did have them order me a Team Checkpoint balncer. Now I see on the box and instructions included with the battery , that balancing isnt required with KOKAMs unique battery design  This is my first Lipo battery and I dont wanna screw anything up. Any help is greatly appreciated. |
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focus07
Stock Class Racer
Posts: 45
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Post by focus07 on Sept 4, 2008 13:10:40 GMT -5
Also since I dont have a LVC, I will keep a eye on the battery and truck.
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william
Expert Class Racer
Posts: 192
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Post by william on Sept 4, 2008 15:19:54 GMT -5
charge under the 3.6 to ensure being under the 1c charge rating
3 or so amps should be sufficiant
also, don't over charge, and when running don't over discharge it can ruin the battery, even swell and smoke.
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Post by radron on Sept 4, 2008 17:09:33 GMT -5
It is always best to balance charge lipo's. 3 amp charge is just right. i would install a lvc on the car,just to be safe. Cheap insurance!!
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Post by Steve on Sept 4, 2008 21:41:51 GMT -5
You can charge it at 3.6, but that is max. I always charge my Orion 3200's at 3.2 and they work and perform great.
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Post by rocketrob40 on Sept 4, 2008 23:41:45 GMT -5
Echoing what others have said here - yes, charging at 3.6Amps with your 3600 pack should be fine, I just wouldn't go any higher than that.
As far as balancing goes there are some manufacturers that suggest that balancing isn't as neccessary as some would let you believe, and some say it isn't needed at all, but it's been my experience that while balancing isn't needed each time I charge my packs I still do it every few weeks or so to keep everything on the up and up.
Regarding not having a LVC, the big thing is to take care and never over-run it or until you see a drop off in vehicle performance - like most folks are used to doing with their old NiMH batteries - and thus figure out a good timing method (15 minute range should easily be safe) so you don't overdischarge the battery which will ruin it.
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Post by radron on Sept 5, 2008 18:16:30 GMT -5
If you want to get optimum performance out of your packs, I would balance charge & use a lvc. Reason being is when you charge without balancing over & over again,the cells in the pack will not be charged equally each time.The effect can & will be a cell overcharging & your not knowing it. The lvc will do the same for discharging when your pack runs down each time ,it is very rare for all the cells to discharge equally. Resulting in 1 cell having less voltage than the others. Doing both of these will result in a pack with lesser performance than it is capable of. I've been using Lipo's for years & after switching to balance & lvc systems,I've almost doubled the life of my cells & never had a pack swell yet.
As for manufactures having different veiws on charging, They ALL have the same disclaimers regarding cell usage & warranty, overcharging & over discharging are YOUR responsabilty!
These packs are not cheap! I've found that using balancers & LVC's save money & property Has anyone seen the fires caused by lipo's online!!
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gdot
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by gdot on Sept 6, 2008 21:22:13 GMT -5
You need the balancing mostly for making sure the packs in there are the SAME when you start charging. Very important, and I've charged lipos for near a year without a balancer, I now have a Duo and NOW I understand what that is all about. USE ONE. The lipo cutoff thing I have been totally unsuccessful with, as the ones I tried did not work well with the throttle on the xl5 escs. I went to use these: search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=RC+lipo+battery+low+voltage+buzzer+checker+7.4v+~+11.1v and it's working great for sure. Just plug and go. The thing is so loud you can't miss it, and it's light and is the size of a quarter (2pents for the brits) |
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Post by Rob #28 on Sept 7, 2008 7:09:02 GMT -5
You need the balancing mostly for making sure the packs in there are the SAME when you start charging. Very important, and I've charged lipos for near a year without a balancer, I now have a Duo and NOW I understand what that is all about. USE ONE. The lipo cutoff thing I have been totally unsuccessful with, as the ones I tried did not work well with the throttle on the xl5 escs. I went to use these: search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=RC+lipo+battery+low+voltage+buzzer+checker+7.4v+~+11.1v and it's working great for sure. Just plug and go. The thing is so loud you can't miss it, and it's light and is the size of a quarter (2pents for the brits) Ordered one. Will post my results with it. Looks like the perfect answer for me. Can use it in any r/c without having to change everything all around. ;D |
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focus07
Stock Class Racer
Posts: 45
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Post by focus07 on Sept 7, 2008 12:44:44 GMT -5
I looked up LIPO FIRE on YOUTUBE and yea I don't want that to happen to me, so I will wait until I get the balancer and LVC before using my Lipo battery. Thanks for the advice!
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Post by radron on Sept 7, 2008 13:31:53 GMT -5
Yea, I don't think anybody would like that to happen. It's just too EZ to avoid!
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This is my first Lipo battery and I dont wanna screw anything up. Any help is greatly appreciated.
