New to 1 cell question

3860 Views 29 Replies 20 Participants Last post by smoothie, Dec 14, 2009

k4mike

Discussion Starter · Sep 29, 2009

Hey guys, I did a search but didnt have much luck finding an answer. Our local track is going to start using the SMC 1 cell 4000 25c lipos. My questions are:
1. What is a good rate to charge at? I am looking more for battery longevity and safety than squeezing every ounce performance wise out of it. Im just a weekend warrior - not a pro.
2. What is a good voltage for storage? I usually race every week but sometimes their may be two or three weeks in between.

Thank you in advance,
Mike Moore

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

J-Dub Racing

· #2 · Sep 29, 2009

Safe charge is about 6 ot 7 amps. Top racers charge at 10 amps.

For storage you can just throw it in the bag after a 4 min run. It will not drop off enough to hurt it for months.

k4mike

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 29, 2009

Thanks J-Dub for the quick reply. I didnt know if I had to be more exact with everything but its looking as if the lipos are easier to take care of then nm's.

J-Dub Racing

· #4 · Sep 29, 2009

Yeah, they really are. I was charging mine this weekend with the pulsar 3 at 7 amps. It seemed to work fine. It is about a year old now, and I had no problems with it even though it sat all summer. Gotta love not having dead cells after 2 or 3 weeks of use!!

Rickity Racer

· #5 · Sep 29, 2009

4000-25c is old technolgy. SMC is no doubt looking at 5000-10c technolgy. Open your wallets boys, SMC LOVES YOU!!

Outlaw 44

· #6 · Sep 30, 2009

from TQ Cells website:

Recommended charge settings

You've purchased a high quality battery pack ... make sure it delivers to its full capacity! Charge the battery pack using a high quality charger and set your charger using the following recommended settings.

Charge amperage: CC/CV 2C ïclick! Example : 1s Lipo 4000mAh ... 2C = 2 X Lipo mAh = 8000mAh = 8A

Charge cut-off: 1S or 1cell

Recommended discharge settings

Discharge amperage: Linear 35A

Discharge cutoff voltage: 1cell (3.0V)

"Race Day" recommended procedure

Here are step by step, the recommended charge/discharge procedures that you should follow while at the race track.

All you need is 1 battery pack! Isn't Lipo racing GREAT!!!

Just before charging the battery pack for the first run, using a discharger unit such as the CE GFX, discharge the 1s Lipo battery pack down to 3V
Then, charge at 8A (in Lipo 1cell mode)
Once the charging cycle has completed, no extra step are required before your run
Just before re-charging the battery pack for the second run, again using a discharger unit such as the CE GFX, discharge the 1s Lipo battery pack down to 3V
Then, charge at 8A (in Lipo 1cell mode)
Etc.

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FLYINGFINN#8

· #7 · Sep 30, 2009

Rickity Racer said:
4000-25c is old technolgy. SMC is no doubt looking at 5000-10c technolgy. Open your wallets boys, SMC LOVES YOU!!

don't you mean 5000-50c....do the research.:tongue:

Andy Koback

· #8 · Sep 30, 2009

FLYINGFINN#8 said:
don't you mean 5000-50c....do the research.:tongue:

I thought too that 10C would be the Old School!

Mike D.

· #9 · Sep 30, 2009

Rickity Racer said:
4000-25c is old technolgy. SMC is no doubt looking at 5000-10c technolgy. Open your wallets boys, SMC LOVES YOU!!

not this year!!!! rules have been made!!!:thumbsup:

brian0525

· #10 · Sep 30, 2009

Rickity Racer said:
4000-25c is old technolgy. SMC is no doubt looking at 5000-10c technolgy. Open your wallets boys, SMC LOVES YOU!!

amazing

:freak:

k4mike

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 30, 2009

Thanks Outlaw, I will be using a Multiplex charger with the settings you gave me.
If I may ask another question though, why do you need to discharge the battery before you recharge it?
Sorry for the stupid questions guys, Ive been racing since '85 but this is my first go around with lipos.

mc43

· #12 · Sep 30, 2009

discharging the pack at 35 amps will warm up the pack and supposedly aid on recharge,plus the batt is still warm for race time

J-Dub Racing

· #13 · Sep 30, 2009

Yeah, that was the reason. Now though if the pack is 5 degrees over the track temp you are DQ'ed, so dont worry about the discharge part.

Racin Steve

· #14 · Sep 30, 2009

J-Dub Racing said:
Yeah, that was the reason. Now though if the pack is 5 degrees over the track temp you are DQ'ed, so dont worry about the discharge part.

Discharging the pack just before charging will not have you DQ ... pack will cool down to room temp before the completion of the charging process.

Steve.
TQ Cells

ta_man

· #15 · Sep 30, 2009

Racin Steve said:
Discharging the pack just before charging will not have you DQ ... pack will cool down to room temp before the completion of the charging process.

Steve.
TQ Cells

Then why is discharging recommended before charging?

cushabul

· #16 · Oct 1, 2009

uhm,Thanks so much 4 sharing with us,bros

67-4-fun

· #17 · Oct 1, 2009 (Edited)

ta_man said:
Then why is discharging recommended before charging?

personal prefrence.. you really dont have to...just repeak after your race, you'll be fine and still be competitive....mainly this is done is to put heat into the battery but you can not heat the batts or at least have them over 5 deg room temp so there is no performance gain imo by discharging, so cycling lipos is not really need, there not like our counter part nimh's. The only reason you would cycle a lipo is to get number's from it other than that no need.. just charge and go racing and have fun!!!

Minkis815

· #18 · Oct 13, 2009

ya. but its not legal. check the rules!

PRI_rc

· #19 · Oct 20, 2009

I charge my SMC 4000Mah 25C on a Checkpoint 1030, Lipo mode 6.5 amps...Battery is performs same as day 1!

beachbum2007

· #20 · Oct 22, 2009

Question for you guys: Would a gfx with the lipo feature be a good, better or best choice to charge 1 cell? thanks

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

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