How do I break in new batteries for the Razor?

[buburub]

Hi Guys,
I recently just got 8 5s3700mah flightpower packs which make 4 10s bricks. I'm ready to start using them in my Razor but I'm very inexperienced when it comes to electrics. I'm hoping to do the right thing in order to make these packs last. Please help a brother out! =)

1) What amps should I charge these packs at during break in and also after break in?
2) I was told I should charge these batteries individually for the first charge and then it's ok to charge it in series afterwards. Is this true?
3) How long is the break in process? 5-6 cycles?
4) Can I fly the heli around during break in or should I just hover?
5) How much should I run the packs down to during the break in process? about 50% left in the pack?
6) After the break in process can I go all out with the bird or should I still take it easy for a while?
7) Should I break the bird in Idle or or in normal mode?

Best Regards,
Edmund

[WillJames]

1. Charge them at about 3/4 C for the first few cycles then 1C after is fine
2. I personally charge then in series all the time, works fine. It is personal preference.
3. I take it easy on the packs for the first 5-10 cycles
4. Yes fly it around is fine.
5. Find out what the guys flying your setup are getting time wise, and fly about 1/2 that much time. For example my 45-08 machine gets 7 minutes easy. Fly 3-4 for the first flights.
6. You can fly it as you please
7. During break-in it is fine to fly it in whatever modes you want. I use the pack breakin time to get the heli dialed in using all modes, make sure belts are tnesioned right, etc.

[TomC]

And, Make sure you balance them after each flight and let them cool down to at least body temp before recharging.

Cheers,

Tom C

[buburub]

Thanks guys for all your help!
You say I should balance them after each flight. If I balance them while I'm charging I should be good right?

[TomC]

I make it a habit to pre-balance each pack after every flight (after letting them cool down, to at least body temp, which doesn't take long since they rarely get much warmer than this anyway). This pre-balancing usually does not take very long, sometimes a few seconds, rarely over one minute. I have noticed that many new packs take a little longer while you are breaking them in and after that, they balance very quickly. I keep them in break-in mode for at least 6-8 flights or longer, if necessary, untill they pre-balance very quickly.

I think that pre-balancing the packs, before charging though the balancers helps ensure that you do not overwork the balancers during chargeing and also helps ensure you get a full charge back into the packs.

I've followed this procedure and have well over 150 cycles on my 5s1p 3700 Evo20 packs, and they still perform like new. Hope you have good luck with yours too.

Cheers,

Tom C

[ChrisS]

Another question, what charger and balancer are you using?

Chris

[TomC]

Another question, what charger and balancer are you using?

Chris

Not sure if you are asking me or not but I use 2x Shultze 330d chargers and 2x FP vbalancers. I charge my 5s packs separately, not in series (10s). I use 2x20amp protech powere supplies ar home and use 2x75ahr deep cycle field batteries.

Cheers,

Tom C

[buburub]

I'm using the Thunder Power 10/10 charger with 210 balancer.

[Aussieheliguy]

I'm using 2 Astro 109's and 2 Hyp LBA10's

[docjoe]

Can you charge balance in series? If so, would that be with 2 TP 210s hooked up to each 5S?

[WillJames]

You can charge 2 5s1p packs in series with ONE 1010/210V. It has 2 banks on the 210V and both packs will plug into it at the same time. Always plug in bank b before bank A so it will for sure recognize all 10 cells.

[Aussieheliguy]

Hey Will

I know the TP charger is capable of 180 or 200 watts. Whats the max current the charger can deliver in a series charge? Do you think having 2 chargers would shorten the charge time or down time?

Bernie