First-time LiPo user - Charging tips

[Coelacanth]

It's finally time to charge some LiPos I recently purchased with a Duratrax Onyx 230 charger that I'll be giving to my friend. Call me paranoid, but I want to make sure I do it right. I also have an iMax B6AC charger which I found a nice YouTube tutorial on.

So, I set the Onyx 230 to LiPo, 4000 mAh, 4 amp charge, it defaults to 120 minutes charge time...is there anything else I need to do? This is a brand-new battery that I connected up and started charging. I assume the charge will automatically stop when the battery is fully charged--at least according to the manual. It's actually a bit simpler than charging NiMH batteries with this same charger.

Is that about it? Thanks guys!

[Charlie don't surf]

It's all automatic, some chargers ( not the onyx as far as I know ) have a balance port to regulate the flow of current between the 2 cells at a balanced rate, but since running lipos since 08' charging at 2s ( twice the amp factor or 8 amps on your packs ) I have yet to need to balance. Also, store the cells at 7.4v instead of the 8.4v they recommended a few years ago.

[Coelacanth]

Okay, the charge completed after 39 minutes, and the charger says "8.40Vp" and "2201 mAh"...does that mean it had to put 2201 mAh into the battery, or that the battery now only has 2201 mAh instead of its rated 4000 mAh??

[Coelacanth]

It's all automatic, some chargers ( not the onyx as far as I know ) have a balance port to regulate the flow of current between the 2 cells at a balanced rate, but since running lipos since 08' charging at 2s ( twice the amp factor or 8 amps on your packs ) I have yet to need to balance. Also, store the cells at 7.4v instead of the 8.4v they recommended a few years ago.

Oh, the manual mentioned it "will automatically set the charge current to 1C" but that "This can be overridden manually, but cannot exceed a value of 2C".

Should I be changing this to 2C?

[lpddpd]

There's some good information here:http://www.jconceptsevents.com/events/clash/Lipos.pdf.

[Coelacanth]

There's some good information here:http://www.jconceptsevents.com/events/clash/Lipos.pdf.

Thanks for the info, I seem to remember reading that document at some point...so, from my previous info, it seems the LiPo has charged fully, and is reading 8.40Vp. I charged it correctly according to that document, at 1C at 4 amps, which should be right for a 4000 mAh battery. What I don't understand is the charger giving a reading of "2201 mAh"...I'm guessing that the battery was received about half-charged and the charger added 2201 mAh to it.

Can anyone familiar with the Onyx 230 charger confirm this? Thanks!

[Charlie don't surf]

Okay, the charge completed after 39 minutes, and the charger says "8.40Vp" and "2201 mAh"...does that mean it had to put 2201 mAh into the battery, or that the battery now only has 2201 mAh instead of its rated 4000 mAh??

Since the pack would have been stored at 7.0-7.4v, you charger added 2200 mah to reach capacity. 2s just charges faster-

[slow_jun]

Just remember these,

-always charge @ 1c ( not more than 1C)
-dont let each cell to fall below 3.3V or get an esc with voltage cutoff feature.
-store lipo at 80% charge
-get a reliable multi- chemistry charger (heart of your lipo).
-use balance leads ,this way your cells are always matched.

Even if you use those cheap lipo batts( like i do hahaha), you can never go wrong,
mine still works with out flaw since 2009.

cheers!!!!

[ireg]

I charge my lipo batt 1amp / 1000mah
so if your lipo bat is 4000 you can charge it by 4amps

I only used 1c or 2c if im in a hurry (during race) as fast charging will shorten the life of your lipo.

Im using cellpro 10s charger for my lipo a nice lipo charger INMO but can't charge battery cells. Im using isl 6 (schulze) for my battery (my firsr charger, served me well for so many years ).

[flipwils11]

I used an onyx 230 over the last year and I always left it in idiot mode, and never had any issues. I used the charging bag and when I was done (sometimes, when I remembered, lol) I hooked up the Tower Hobbies balancer board I bought to siphon off enough charge and balance them. Not sure if I did that in the correct order, but I couldn't see a way to hook the thing up between the charger and batt.

When not using the lipos for a while I store them in a metal can I bought at a flea market, similar to an ammo box which I think someone on here had recommended.

[Coelacanth]

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

[mark in wi]

I would look into a balancer for the 230. I think the imax has one built in. I'm somewhat new to lipo's too but from everything I have read, they say to balance every time or at least every couple charges. Also look into the storage mode on your charger if you are not going to use the packs for an extended period of time.

[Seabass]

I started out with a 230 and three of the cheap chinese packs in 2009. I just purchased a much nicer charger and when I hooked up my old packs the cells were still within normal range.

I figured my packs were ticking timebombs, but I was totally wrong. (I ordered new packs as well)

The 230 is a great charger and I will continue to use it along the new charger I just picked up.

[Orange]

I'm not going to post my method, everyone here would go crazy!

[PBR Allstar]

I charge at 1c, just kind of my method left over from when Lipo's were less durable than they are now. at home I charge and store my packs on a pair of TC 1030 chargers. at the track I've been using a pair of turnigy accucell -6 chargers, and I really like them!

I store at 3.4v per cell, and I cycle them once a month in the off season.

I also store them in a steel case I built right after the Losi incident.