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View Full Version : 2C and 3C Charge Rates - What will happen


Rototerrier
02-24-2008, 08:44 AM
If you have more dollars than cents, what's the ultimate conclusion to charging at 2C and 3C rates?

I have 50+ cycles on a TP 4s Extreme 3850 and consistently charge at 7.5A on a TP1010C 210 combo. I have noticed absolutely no decline in power or flight duration. I charge in a vented fireproof safe on a cement floor just to be safe.

Is the 1C thing as applicable in 2008 as it was in 2006? I have even gone as far as charging at 10A and the balancer said I was never more than .04 out of balance. Since everything I have read says being out of balance is the source of fires...as long as your charging equipment keeps that in check, can you pump it up and still be safe? I have also consistently charged 800mah packs for a blade cp pro at 2.4 amps (3C). I have 3 packs and by the time I hit the 3rd pack the 1st pack has cooled. They charge in about 15 minutes and the flights are 10. very little down time. The Lipos outlasted the Park brushless motor. Now I am stuck with lipos and no heli.

Also, how much of the packs life am I really taking away? Seems like there is A LOT of opinions and even misinformation about lipos floating around...whats the deal here? Should I consider switching to A123 since I am super inpatient? What alternatives should I consider if this is a poor practice?

Opinions are welcomed, but facts are greatly appreciated.

Pinecone
02-24-2008, 09:03 AM
TP tested higher rate charging and found no change in some 300 cycles of 3C charging.

I think with modern high rate dicahrge cells and balancing while charging every cycle, 2C is fine. I have both my CellPros set to 2C, and my 1010C is setup to charge about about 1.5C for my normal packs.

HPSOV2
02-24-2008, 09:41 PM
Most manufacturers are now starting to agree that the loss of cycle life from charging at 2C or even 3C is minimal.
If your pack is going to go out of balance the fast charge rate could worsen the problem, but I've found that all my packs from the 'good' brands dont go out of balance anyway, regardless of charge rate.