lipo question

[drek]

what should i charge a 11.1v 2400mah lipo at? 2.4v?

[XZIVR]

2.4 AMPS, yes.

[drek]

k thanks

[drek]

Another question, how many amps should i balance at, the same 2.4? And do i balance before or after charging

[XZIVR]

That depends on your charger and whether or not you have an external balancer. If it's the typical chinese charger, the balance mode charges and balances, and once again, 2.4 amps.

[drek]

Originally Posted by XZIVR

That depends on your charger and whether or not you have an external balancer. If it's the typical chinese charger, the balance mode charges and balances, and once again, 2.4 amps.

its this charger,

http://www.muchmoreusa.com/chargers/mmrp1008.html

has a separate option for charge/balance/discharge. Nevermind, guess your supposed to balance before charging.

[XZIVR]

it boils down to this. you walk into a room. it's dark, cold. there's tension in the air. you look over at your charger. your eyes lock. you want it. it wants you. you approach it slowly. you pull out your protection (fireproof lipo bag). Now, you just have to ask yourself one question: You know you want to balance the battery, do you want to charge it too?

You know it makes no difference if you balance it and then charge or balance WHILE you charge. The net result is exactly the same. If you plan to use the battery right away just balance charge. If you want to balance it and store it for more than a few weeks balance it and leave it at a half charge.

[drek]

I dont have an option for balance/charge i dont think? Or does the charge auto balance since i have the balance cable connected while charging?

[XZIVR]

no, you have to put it into balance mode. plugging in the balance tap while on any other mode will do nothing. When it's in balance mode it will also charge if you have the standard firmware.

[drek]

Originally Posted by XZIVR

no, you have to put it into balance mode. plugging in the balance tap while on any other mode will do nothing. When it's in balance mode it will also charge if you have the standard firmware.

Ah! Thank you very much. Im new to the lipo scene so i appreciate your help. Ill be running balance mode to charge Thanks again.

[XZIVR]

It's really not necessary to do all the time. Check it once in a while and if it's more than .1v out, balance it. If your batteries are good quality, you wont have to balance them for a LONG time. Just to give you an idea, in my RC touring car I'm drawing over 100 amps from it at times, and it's using a 5000 mah 40C battery. I race almost every weekend and I have to balance it.. ehh, once a year? maybe?

[ShelledPants]

I would not recommend charging above 1A for lipos (and you should be Balancing them each time, not just charging them).

[drek]

Originally Posted by ShelledPants

I would not recommend charging above 1A for lipos (and you should be Balancing them each time, not just charging them).

Yea im just reading that too...maybe ill charge at 1A using the balance charge. Dont feel like burning my apt building down lol.

[ShelledPants]

Originally Posted by drek

Yea im just reading that too...maybe ill charge at 1A using the balance charge. Dont feel like burning my apt building down lol.

A 1600mah battery takes about 40 minutes to balance charge... which is a very fast charge for any battery. no point in rushing it and damaging the cells.

[drek]

ya, ill stick with 1a