can li-po be charged with li-ion charger?

[nige2307]

What effect would charging li-po's with li-ion charger have, if any?
And would buying batteries charged such way be a bad decision?
cheers
nige.

[SeanM]

LiPo's use the same method of charging as Li-Ion cells. I know because I charge my 18650 Li-Ion cells using the LiPo chemistry option on my charger.

Here's some info from batteryuniversity.com

'Charging Lithium-ion Polymer

Charging Li‑ion polymer, also referred as Li-polymer, is very similar to a regular lithium-ion battery and no changes in algorithm are necessary. Most users won’t even know if their battery is Li‑ion or Li‑polymer. The word “polymer” has been used as promotional hype and does not reflect special attributes other than to know that the battery is built in a different way to a standard Li-ion.
Most polymer batteries are based on a hybrid architecture that is a cross between Li-ion and Li-polymer. There are many variations within the polymer family, and the true dry polymer battery for the consumer market is still years away. Also know as the “plastic battery,” this system was first announced in early 2000 but was never able to attain the conductivity needed for most applications at ambient temperatures.'

[desertstalker]

Usually the charge is exactly the same, but the LiIon charger MAY stop at 4.1V (older LiIon were 4.1V, modern ones are 4.2V like LiPo) so it may slightly undercharge a RC pack. It wont hurt anything though.

[kavic5150]

By not charging close to or all the way to 4.2v you arent charging to the full capacity of your packs. You might lose 30 seconds to a full minute (just guessing) of flight time.

I'll try to see how many mah my charger puts in going from 4.1 to 4.2v and edit this post later.

[desertstalker]

Originally Posted by kavic5150

By not charging close to or all the way to 4.2v you arent charging to the full capacity of your packs. You might lose 30 seconds to a full minute (just guessing) of flight time.

I'll try to see how many mah my charger puts in going from 4.1 to 4.2v and edit this post later.

I bet its hardly anything, LiPos get down to below 4V/cell very fast. Thats even assuming the LiIon charger only takes them to 4.1V, most these days go to 4.2.

[nige2307]

Cheers for reply, was going to buy a new charger/balancer as my balancer decided to leave 3 batteries with charge equivalent to one cell!
And since the batteries were all under 8 cycles( second time for one of em )
Safe to say !
Bad enough paying for those minor discrepancies in translation of "approved method of ascent to a stationary position, maintaining full control, spacial awareness and axial relativity, culminating in a safe and controlled transition from flight to a stationary position /landing "
Better go get the batteries ...cant fall w**king to the floor without em!

[kavic5150]

I'll just add another post. It was 382mah to go from 4.1v to 4.2v per cell on a 2800ma 30C 6s. so 382/2800 = .1364 or 13.64%

Close to 15% of my packs full capacity. Seems like a good reason to get an actual Lipo charger.

While you wait for one to get shipped its ok to use your packs and the charger you have. Just keep in mind you will need to cut your flights short and check each cell with a voltmeter.

[francisfocar]

Some say that if you charge lipo batteries to 4.1 it is easier on the battery and you may get maybe twice the life. In rc this may not be practial, but on a electric bicycle this can make a huge difference. Just add a couple more batteries to make up the difference.