[g-manz35]

OK. First of all I'll apologise. I know someone posted this question before, but since the big changover that info has been lost. I've never charged Lipo's before. I've got an Accucycle Elite. It will charge at up to 2 amps. I've got 3S 1300mah battery's. Do I charge them at 1C right off the bat or do I slow charge them the first time or what? Thank you all for the info in the past and I would like to assure you that I will eventually get smarter about electrics an will ask more intelligent questions in the future.

By the way I have no balancer nore do I intend on geting one in the near future.

Cheers. George

[cassat]

Yes, just charge at 1C = 1Amp

Slow charging is not as important as using a balancer to charge!

[kwm]

Get a balancer. They are very important when charging lipo's to help you maintain a good battery life and any problems like one cell dieing before the others. Balancers make sure all the cells have an equal charge.

[g-manz35]

Originally Posted by cassat

Yes, just charge at 1C = 1Amp

Slow charging is not as important as using a balancer to charge!

Isn't 1C for a 1300mah battery 1.3 amps or am I just splitting hairs? I will probably get a balancer later. I'm working with $15 batteries so I don't really care. I just want to see what my needs are first and see what I really think of this electric stuff.

Thanks guys. George

[cassat]

Yes, you are correct. I am not sure if you have a rotary adjustment knob for current? Or if you have auto shuttoff? Mine has a digital LCD screen and I turn off at 12.6 Volts just to be safe.

[Guest]

Charging is not as critical to break in as discharging. You want to take it easy on them flying for the first few flights. Don't drain them too much and don't push them too hard, make sure they don't get hot.

Other than that have at 'er.

Going to 1.3A over 1A is a 30% increase during the CC part of the charge, which will save you a bit of time for a full charge.

Don't be too worried about a balancer, as long as you don't abuse the pack most of the small 2s, 3s packs keep balance very well for a long time. When you get into larger packs like 5s-10s with cells in parallel, balancing is more important.

[Mike Anderson]

Originally Posted by can773

Don't be too worried about a balancer, as long as you don't abuse the pack most of the small 2s, 3s packs keep balance very well for a long time.

Hmmm. I wonder how balanced a $15, 3S 1300 mAh pack is brand new? I would offer that the cheaper the pack, the more risky it is to charge without balancing.

[astrofler]

Originally Posted by g-manz35

I I'm working with $15 batteries so I don't really care. I just want to see what my needs are first and see what I really think of this electric stuff.

Thanks guys. George

I guess you've never seen a lipo burn? Own your house? got insurance? like your car as it is? Perhaps you want to change it's color to black??

GET A BALANCER AND USE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

No flame intended, just sound advice.

[g-manz35]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I need to put on my asbestos suit and I'm good to go! I will charge them at 1.3 amps cut off at 12.6V. Charge them in a safe location and run them in without pushing them to hard. Once I puff up a pack or two I'll get smart and buy a balancer.

Thanks again. George

[astrofler]

yer welcome sir.