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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on August 01, 2022, 08:06:11 PM
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I have a battery that I purchased around 2015-16. It has not had a lot of use. It looks ok but feels just a tad puffy. How long do you keep a battery. It seems to be close to storage charge after a flight. I always put my batteries at storage charge when not in use.
Thanks
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I monitor internal resistance and resting voltage after a flight. As the battery ages the internal resistance will increase and the voltage after flying will be lower (reduced capacity). Do you have a charger that measures cell resistance?
I would guess these are at or near the end of their life based on age. How well you care for your batteries plays a major role in how long they last. They can last a few months or many years.
Mike
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They age out whether you use them or not. Keeping them in storage mode only slows the aging process. I sometimes get calls from people saying that their plane has no punch or power. First thing I as is "how old is the battery?" Typical answer, "it's new I never used it before" Next question, "When did you buy it?" Answer "5 or 6 or 7 or more years ago but I never used it so it is new". Sorry but your battery is no good , it aged out, buy a new one. Speaking of my own batteries I never keep them charged unless I am going to fly them. I put un-flown and flown batteries back in storage mode that same day. I tend to buy 6 new batteries each year, Those are my NATS batteries, It insures I will never have a battery failure at the NATS. I will fly those batteries for another year or 2 and they work fine. Then I pass them to a friend or someone who needs a few batteries. They generally get another year or 2 out of them. So if they are well taken care of, I would say 3-5 years would be the lifespan for batteries for most flyers. If they get soft or puff I stop using them immediately. I will not risk a plane for a bad battery. This year I switched to LION packs. So far they have been great. It will take a while to figure out what a reasonable lifespan will be on those. I passed on my 2019 and 2020 packs at this years NATS to fellow competitors. I can tell you that all those packs flew at this years NATS. How much longer they will last? I don't know.
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My chargers don’t measures cell resistance. 🥴
I don’t want to chance it. Will take it to the recycle center.
Too bad you can’t do a trade in like you can on some car parts. 🤪
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Thunder Power accepts trade ins. Unfortunately your batteries don’t qualify. Their policy limits the qty, age and brand. Still better than nothing.
Mike
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Thunder Power accepts trade ins. Unfortunately your batteries don’t qualify. Their policy limits the qty, age and brand. Still better than nothing.
Mike
Good to know. Thanks Mike!👍🏼