Charge Rate

[jfrancisco892]

I always charge my batteries at 1c but I know a lot of people charge faster than that. Post up what the max charge rate you guys charge at, just curious.

[longballlumber]

Your battery/manufacturer should dictate what charge rate the battery is capable of taking.

Later,
Mike

[SloHD]

2c is just fine IMO.

[longballlumber]

2c is just fine IMO.

Again, your battery manufacturer will tell you what is acceptable for the battery. I can tell you that GrimRacer Lipos are only rated at a 1C charge rate. So in that particular case 2C is not "fine".

http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/accessories/lipo-packs.html

Later,
Mike

[SloHD]

Nobody said I had grim racer batteries... You might, but not everyone has the same brand. I am well aware manufacture suggestions. I would imagine the op has lipos capable of higher than 1c charge rates, hence the reason he is asking.

[capnswanny]

And if he does have Grim Racer batteries, you just told him he could charge them at a rate higher than rated. Be careful what you recommend, and just as careful the advice you take.

Mike's advice is spot on...IMO
Corey

Nobody said I had grim racer batteries... You might, but not everyone has the same brand. I am well aware manufacture suggestions. I would imagine the op has lipos capable of higher than 1c charge rates, hence the reason he is asking.

[SloHD]

No I did not tell him that. You should actually read the OP. It asks a broad question. I gave a broad answer. Why all the hostility towards my post? Geez... My advice is valid, answering such a broad question. I'm sorry I didn't sugar coat it for him like an expert would do.

[jfrancisco892]

My batteries are capable of being charged up to 5c. That is what the label says at least. I was just asking the question to see what people charge at. I'm sure it's harder on the cells the faster you charge them, I will probably continue to charge at 1c just curious what everyone else does.

[Chilli]

Depends on the batteries for me. Most of my 5000 and larger packs get charged at 1C. Smaller receiver packs and 2200-3300 mah airplane packs charge at 2c. I usually don't have a need to go over 2C. The big factor for me isn't the batteries since all my packs can be charged at 3-5C. It's about not pushing the charger to maximum wattage output. Just like on my boats, I try not to push the electrics too hard which keeps things running cool.... and so far has given me five years of trouble free service.

[don ferrette]

I charge my hi discharge packs at 1.5C MAX. Just keep in mind that regardless the brand and discharge rating, the harder you charge them (as in higher C rate) the more life you take out of them in the long run.

[boredom.is.me]

I charge at 2C, but my charger maxes out at 7A so anything above 3500mAh gets just that.

[darryl whitman]

hi guys , this post is what do an it works well for me ,
1- I charge lipos at 1c , even if the label says 5c charge rate, why, because the manufacture would like you to be hard on your batts, shorten the life
so you buy more ,
2- I only fully charge my batts the night before, or the day of running my boat or planes, why, because its hard on lipos to sit around with a full charge in them.
3- when I'm not going to use my batts , for some time , I will charge them up , in storage mode,
these are my ways I treat my batts, an I've had real good long life on my batteries

[jfrancisco892]

Thanks for the input. Same as I do.

[photohoward1]

Why would it be hard on them to leave a charge in them?

[Brushless55]

hi guys , this post is what do an it works well for me ,
1- I charge lipos at 1c , even if the label says 5c charge rate, why, because the manufacture would like you to be hard on your batts, shorten the life
so you buy more ,
2- I only fully charge my batts the night before, or the day of running my boat or planes, why, because its hard on lipos to sit around with a full charge in them.
3- when I'm not going to use my batts , for some time , I will charge them up , in storage mode,
these are my ways I treat my batts, an I've had real good long life on my batteries

uhhh?
no documented proof of shortened life by charging at 5c when a pack says you can charge at 5c

reminds me of a bogus chart someone put up at rcgroups about this
heck even some ThunderPower lipos have a charge rate of 12C !
many users want a fast charging lipo when they go fly or run boats
big debate at rcgroups on just that, fast charging is the way to go some say... and they live by that, and I know of a few who charge at 5C and greater all the time without any loss of power or performance

Why would it be hard on them to leave a charge in them?

it's ok to leave packs fully charge for about 2-3 weeks, any longer and they should be stored half charged
something with the chemistry they don't like be left fully charged for a long time, they will loose capacity and power over time