"Running In" new LiPO and "Puffing"

There seems to be endless advice on the care and maintenance of LiPOs. Recently I read that a new battery should be cycled at least five times before using it in a model.
I charged the new batteries at the recommended rate of 1C, then tried to discharge them at the same rate. "1C" is 2.2A for these batteries. The max discharge rate for the charger is 1.0A. The actual rate of discharge was closer to 300mA, and the charger timed out before the discharge was completed. I don't know how generate a load of 2.2A, so I rigged a Wattmeter into the model's power circuit and opened the throttle until the meter showed approx. 2.2A. Is there a better way of discharging a battery, seems a pity to have to run the motor for five hours for each battery.

Stick it straight in the model and go fly

Just try and be nice to it for the first few cycles and not go below 30% and it should be fine

Lot's of chargers have a feature called 'regenerative' discharge. This is where the discharge energy is used to recharge your supply battery. This feature is only available if you are using a battery as your power supply...if you use a mains power supply it cannot work.
Some chargers also offer the facility to discharge into a big resistor to dissipate the energy (heat). The resistor is usually very expensive.

But like Chris says, just charge it and fly. The trouble with the internet is that you will ask one question and get 10 answers, often contradicting each other. The solution is to stop believing everything you read...unless it's written by me or Chris!!!

MikeSeale wrote: .unless it's written by me or Chris!!!

:ohmy:

MikeSeale wrote: The solution is to stop believing everything you read...unless it's written by me or Chris!!!

Fantastic, thanks for including me Mike, you know how I like of offer a different opinion....

wimbornemac.org/forums/electric-power/70...storage-voltage#6548

Chris001 wrote:

MikeSeale wrote: The solution is to stop believing everything you read...unless it's written by me or Chris!!!

Fantastic, thanks for including me Mike, you know how I like of offer a different opinion....

wimbornemac.org/forums/electric-power/70...storage-voltage#6548

I should have been more specific!

Thank you all for your help. I did find the number of conflicting opinions on LiPOs in general was confusing. Its only now that I realise that I could have gone flying with my new batteries, instead of wasting time on the charge/discharge all morning. On a different note, it is frequently stated that LiPOs must be stored with a fairly specific voltage of 3.8V/cell. Not long ago I bought three used Lipos, checked them out and made sure of the 3.8V/cell on all three. Now I'm going to ask a silly question. What is a "puffed" battery? I noticed that when I bought the batteries, they weren't quite flat on two sides, now they are definitely not flat on two sides. Are they OK to use? Does "puffing" mean all four sides of the battery?

That battery is beginning to puff but will still work fine. However, you will have to make a decision to retire it one day.

Regarding storage, I just leave them in whatever state they are at the end of a flying session since I don't have the time or inclination to leave them at storage charge. I'm sure they would last a bit longer if I did, but they seem to do fine the way I leave them.

Just fly and have fun most EFC's will cut power to motor before the bec so worst that can happen is a dead stick landing, but you should notice lack of power long before that.
Batteries nearing the end of there life usually take longer to charge, if in doubt check cell voltage and resistance before and after charge this will give you a good indication of battery state all cells should be approximately the same.and cut your flight times.
You've got Taranis so fit a voltage sensor and scare yourself with the readings and you will probably throw all your batteries away.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not on Mikes recommended list

I always leave my batteries at storage voltage.

PLEASE NOTE: I'm on Mike's recommended list only by virtue of the name I was given by my parents.

But I'm not sure why Chris is on Mike's list, electric and Chris are not good bed fellows