LiPo Questions

[kent83]

First question -- Is it OK to partially charge a battery, stop the charging, then complete it later. The reason is that my Esky charger takes three hours + to charge the battery, and I don't want to leave it unattended.

Second question -- I want to buy a second battery, but think it might be time to upgrade the charger as well. I've seen very expensive chargers and not so expensive ones. What would you recommend for a modest budget? And, are the connections on the Esky batteries compatible with all chargers? Does a charger upgrade make sense for a new flyer, or is my money better spent on other improvements?

And, I just have to say that I am now hovering several feet off the ground for minutes at a time, have had no damaged parts in several batteries of flight, and now catch myself thinking about flying while I am at work -- I think I am getting hooked and may actually learn how to fly this thing!

[daijoubu]

Yes, it's fine to stop charging, disconnect the battery, then come back and charge again.

This is the debate everyone goes through at one point, more batteries or a better charger... In your case, 3 hrs of charging for 7 or so mins of flight. A second battery means 6 hrs for 14 mins of flight. How often do you fly? Once a day, get a better charger first. Once a week, get more batteries. Better yet, do both! Most good chargers have receptacles on the output for banana plugs. You then buy/build a cable for your battery. Make sure the balance leads match your battery or get an adaptor.

[copterboy]

I'm a newbie (3 months) and decided to go the charger route with only 1 stock batt. ( I did have 2 but burnt a hole in one when my ESC burned out!!. My CP looked like a nitro-version with smoke coming from the ESC......lol :YeaBaby:

Bought the Imax B6 Li-pro, which comes with an array of 5 different battery connectors, a shiny box but no power supply (You do have to buy them separtely with some chargers, luckily I borrowed one from a friend). The charger alone cost £70, but I think it was worth the money for the massive reduction in charging time (3-4 hrs to less than 1).

I've been getting 3 flights off the same battery in about 4 hrs. Taking about 45-50 mins to charge the stock 1800 battery, and I think you can also buy an adaptor to put 2 x 3cell packs on at the same time, but still have to check it (and get a 2nd battery!).

You can see exactly how much charge is in each cell, how long its been charging, how much charge it put in, amazing gadget, something like that will make your 'waiting around endlessly for that light to stop blinking days' over.

[kent83]

Thanks to you both -- this is very helpful information and advice. One hour for a charge sounds really attractive after waiting for that friggin green light so many times. I think I'll have to take the plunge and get a new battery and a new charger as well.

Thanks!

[GHSTRCN]

I don't think the Imax chargers are the best choice. They only balance within 1000mah, so it isn't a very good balancer.

The GT A-6 charger has a 300mah balancer, pretty good, and can charge two stock batts at a time with a $3-4 splitter. At $60, a good buy on www.hobbycity.com!

[copterboy]

Didn't know that!!! 60 bucks is a bargain then!!