In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
: Actually Kokam's and the manufacturer's instructions are saying essentially
: the same thing. Store them with 50% to full charge. Schulze is saying
: store discharged.
Panasonic says 30 to 50%, Kokam 50 to 100%, so I suppose the absolute
correct way to store your Lipolys is to store them with 50% of charge,
right?
-Tapio-
Don Hatten - 29 Dec 2003 17:00 GMT
The absolute correct way to store the battery is to NOT discharge them.
Don
> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
Casey Wilson - 29 Dec 2003 17:28 GMT
I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
answer this.
Several months ago, I invested in a Lithium Ion battery for my
laptop/notebook computer. Two days ago, while on a Christmas trip, the
battery ran down just 35 minutes after I turned the computer on. Typical
usage in the past has been four+ hours.
I put it on charge overnight and after ten hours, the "power meter"
registered 46% and still charging. My recollection is that it used to charge
fully in less than three if the computer wasn't turned on, and maybe five if
it was working.
The 46% is not relevant, I understand that. Whatever its accuracy, it is
however precise and shows 46% reliably.
I think I can put a finger on the cause. I got distracted once and left
the computer running on the battery and went off for a weekend. The
automatic shutdown trips at 10% on the power meter, but I also know about
the self-discharge phenom.
So here's the question for Red, is there any way to
recover/revitalize/restore the battery? Or do I go pay $120 for a new one?
I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
manufacturer.
Red Scholefield - 30 Dec 2003 11:58 GMT
Before tossing the battery I would try to charge it with another charger.
Lap top computers were notorious for having poor charging systems. Seems
that computer designers fancied themselves a lot smarter than lowly battery
manufacturers and do a much more elegant job of battery maintenance with
exotic programs.
If it doesn't come back I know of no way to "rejuvenate" a lithium battery.
You might consider replacing the cells yourself rather than buying a whole
new battery as the mark up on the original equipment packs seems to be the
means to recover some profits in the very competitive lap top business.
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.
> I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
> answer this.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
> manufacturer.
The Natural Philosopher - 30 Dec 2003 13:05 GMT
> I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
> answer this.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
> manufacturer.
All you can do is simply keep charging it and hope. If the over
discharge protection wasn't up to it the battery is shagged.
Lots of e-flyers have found this on Nimh and Li-Ion. Over discharge them
(too far or too fast) and capacity is permananetly lost, also the cells
may go out of balance, resulting in some cells getting overcharged,
which is frankly dangerous with LIPO.
Best thing is to somehow access individual cells, and recharge each one
and work out if they have correct capacity. OTOH the time and equipment
probably costs more than a new pack.
The Natural Philosopher - 30 Dec 2003 13:01 GMT
> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> correct way to store your Lipolys is to store them with 50% of charge,
> right?
That's been my experience across manufacturers. On Lithium POLYMER at least.
The gereat danger is over discharging,
and they do this all by themselves, albeit slower than Nicad or NiMh.
The danger of storing a charged pack is accidental shorting, explosion
and fire. Ypui need to be aware and take precautions as to where and how
they are stored. Cool temperures lesseen self discharge, insulation
lessens shorting, and storing in a fireproof safe is no bad thing.
> -Tapio-
Ron Sitnick - 30 Dec 2003 13:29 GMT
Good morning all!
Just bought my son an E-maxx for the holidays.
So far so good but this weekend one of his 2400mAh batteries split its
plastic casing.
Battery seems OK. Is there a way to check it? Is this common?
He probably charged it 2 or 3 times over the weekend and I'm pretty sure
they were cooled down first.
How long should NiCads cool before a recharge?
Also...
Are there any good books on RC car/truck maintenance.
Want to get further details on things like shocks, motor cleaning etc.
Have 2 cars now and haven't really done this before.
(Other's a Rustler... also electric)
TIA
--Ron
djindivik - 05 Jan 2004 10:52 GMT
The way I figure it is this, If, i said IF, it takes a cell 3 months to self
discharge, then storing it fully charged, gives it 11/2 months head start on
one that is stored at 50% charged. Yeah ! So storing ANY cells, Ni-cads,
Nimhs, whatever, fully charged, gives them a longer storage life. But I
suppose that is too simple for the boffins out there. Ray
> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -Tapio-