stunthanger.com
Electric Stunt => Gettin all AMP'ed up! => Topic started by: Dennis Toth on October 17, 2021, 08:19:24 AM
-
On the RC Universe site I came across a thread on checking the "C" rating of lipo packs. The talked about using a ESR / IR Meter MkII. Doing a quick search it comes up but they are about $150. I was wondering if anyone in CL land uses this meter and is it worth it?
The author on RCU indicated that by checking the actual "C" rating of the pack and keeping current draw and discharge rates within those limits the packs will not puff and last many times longer (a good thing considering current prices).
So is it worth it or is there a DYI version (or cheaper source) that is much cheaper but give the information we could use?
Best, DennisT
-
My 2 cents (or less) worth. We run well below the C rating of our packs, and we use fairly low C rated packs. We run in the 20 amp range (in the 8C range) average and brief 40+ amp peak. A 2800 amp pack at 25C in theory can put out 2.8 x 25 mah or about 70 amps. Many of our packs are 25C so easily capable. Many RC applications use much larger capacity much higher C rating for their needs. They have more reason to try to verify the high C ratings. Packs might also puff if drawn too low, or as they get old and lose some C rating and or capacity. You could probably see that coming with repeated tests with the meter, but if you watch temperature, % remaining after flight, and cycles on the pack you will have a pretty good idea without the meter.
-
What Fred said. I put a label on each of my batteries and for each cell # /capacity I give it a number, entry in to service data and start a tick mark for each time it is charged. I try to keep my batteries all together in the number of cycles they get. Doesn't work out but I try.
-
Some chargers, like my Icharger 310B, have the Ir tester built in.
It is handy for keeping an eye on how a pack is degrading, by looking for cells that have developed a higher Ir.
-
The old TP 820 CD charger has a IR function built in. That's why I keep both of mine even though they're now over 10 yrs old.