Best Storage Charge For Lipos

[Witterings]

Anyone strong opinions on the best storage charge for Lipos .... years back before storage was spoken about that much I destroyed a load of virtually new batteries when they used to be £40 a pop for a 3s 2200 so became a bit paranoid about it.

I have 2 chargers, one's storage charge is 3.80 and the other just that smidge more at 3.85 ...... I'm guessing there's probably not a lot of difference and either is a lot better than leaving them fully charged although the 3.80 is possibly that tiny bit better for the battery.

Interested to hear what others think.

[FPVSteve]

3.7V is storage charge, that's what they come from the factory at.

[Witterings]

3.7V is storage charge, that's what they come from the factory at.

I did notice they were at that level with the last couple of sets of new batteries I got ..... but in which case why do well reputed charger manufacturers all set their storage charge as higher?

[Ratty]

3.8/3.85 is storage, thats what mine always come delivered at, or around there.

I dont think it makes much difference to be honest. And the lipo test bench guy has been doing some tests that back that up. Granted it is just one guy with a handfull of results, but it is something lol.

[BigT]

I think it's an underrated subject. I never paid much attention to "storage charge" until I also knackered about £400 worth of 5s 6k 70c packs last winter. So this time if the packs  not getting used inside 2 weeks it's put on a storage charge. It only takes 20 or so mins to top up. I also got myself an internal resistance checker and went through all the packs and marked the dodgy ones with white tape so as to keep an eye on them.


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[FPVSteve]

I'm probably going to have this issue myself as I've not flown since August and my packs are all at full :(

[Loopdreams]

I just don't over-discharge my packs and only charge them up if I'm actually going to be using them. 

[Dillwhacker]

Keeping them fully charged definitely weakens them and shortens the life. I used to keep a few packs fully charged for those 'emergency' flying sessions, and they have all become puffy and weak , compared to others kept at 50%.
My most recent LiPo purchases have come with a sticker saying 'shipped at 20% charge: Please charge to 3.85V (50%) as soon as possible'. I guess it's a way of minimising the stored energy when in transit.

[Witterings]

I think it's an underrated subject. I never paid much attention to "storage charge" until I also knackered about £400 worth of 5s 6k 70c packs last winter. So this time if the packs  not getting used inside 2 weeks it's put on a storage charge. It only takes 20 or so mins to top up. I also got myself an internal resistance checker and went through all the packs and marked the dodgy ones with white tape so as to keep an eye on them.


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That was about the same value that I wrecked .... I had 4 x 1300's and 4 x 2200 non of them had more than 4 cycles through them ... I had a break from flying for about 1 1/2 yrs and a plane that would happily produce 250 watts constant gave a 3 second burst of 90 watts and then fell back to approx 60 watts and this was the same with all the batteries.

I couldn't work out what it was at 1st and posted in a forum asking for suggestions and someone said try a new battery .... I was gutted as instantly back to 250 watts and all I had to do was lower their voltage not to destroy them.

[Coyote]

I've had 4x zippy 5800 4s packs I left fully charged last time I flew the Hex. This was well over 2 years stored like that.

All 4 packs have been flown over the last 4 weeks and all have supplied the demanded current, the Hex has flown for exactly the same amount of time ( 13.5 mins ) and all cells still remain balanced.

Kinda screws up the whole storage theory right there.

[Dillwhacker]

Maybe you bought good quality LiPos?
I have noticed that Optipower ones seem to survive well, and the black Dynamic ones are easily killed.

[Witterings]

Maybe you bought good quality LiPos?

All of the ones I left charged were Flightpower Evo's which were meant to be the muts at the time.

[Ratty]

I've had 4x zippy 5800 4s packs I left fully charged last time I flew the Hex. This was well over 2 years stored like that.

All 4 packs have been flown over the last 4 weeks and all have supplied the demanded current, the Hex has flown for exactly the same amount of time ( 13.5 mins ) and all cells still remain balanced.

Kinda screws up the whole storage theory right there.

I have 4x Turnigy 6s 5000mah from my helicopter, all are around 6 years old, all have sat for about 3 years. Recently dug them out, all seem fine, balance well and are powering an ebike with no issues.

Like i said, a recent study is showing it doesnt make much difference even if you leave them fully charged. It is a small study, but it is getting there.

[Ratty]

Lipo test bench:

http://www.lipobench.com/index.php?page=thelab

[FPVSteve]

this is good news lol