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Aircraft - Electric - General Batteries and Chargers Mini-HowTo (HOW TO) Recovering over discharged lipos

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Jun 29, 2009, 06:59 PM Report #1

Xpress.. Mini-HowTo (HOW TO) Recovering over discharged lipos

WARNING: May contain spam
Since I noticed a lot of posts lately on how to recover an over discharged lipo, I thought I would post the
method for recovering them.

It's pretty easily actually. All you need to do is get a NiMH charger, and set it to the approximate voltage to your
lipo pack. (I.E. 7.2v for a 7.4v pack, or 12v for an 11.1v pack) Now, plug in your lipo, and set the charge current
for ~1/3-1/2C charge rate (1/3c for a 1000 mah pack is .33 amps, 1/2C for a 1000 mah pack is 0.5 amps) and
United States, CA, Alpine start the charge.
Joined Oct 2007
20,936 Posts You only need to charge the lipo for a couple minutes to bring it back to the proper voltage for your lipo charger
to recognise it, and charge it again. It is important that you keep a constant watch on the lipo while
charging it with an NiMH charger!

If your lipo is still not recognised by your charger, then charge it a bit more on the NiMH charger.

Note: Some lipos may last for numerous more cycles, whereas others might only last a couple more cycles
before they die completely. Your results may vary

Battery experts: Do feel free to chime in and correct any information on here that may be wrong.

Last edited by Xpress..; Jun 29, 2009 at 07:20 PM.

Jun 30, 2009, 06:14 AM Report #2

torqueflite It might be worth it to mention that there *is* a reason why a Li-Po charger refuses to charge an overdischarged
Registered User batterypack: They can become unstable by overdischarge.

Arendal Norway
Joined May 2008
87 Posts

Jun 30, 2009, 03:01 PM Report #3

E-Challenged i've rescued three packs by charging to 3+ volts per cell in Nimh charge mode, then continuing with the normal
Registered User lipo charge mode. I suppose that a lot depends on how old and how deeply discharged the pack was and how
long it was in that condition. Normally happens when you forget to disconnect and remove a pack from the
plane at the field and discover the mistake the next day or so. Watch for swelling etc. of the pack while
charging. It should take the normal number of milliamps to fully charge. Good idea to check the balance of the
pack after charging.

United States, CA, Garden Grove

Joined Oct 2000
12,011 Posts

Jun 30, 2009, 05:32 PM Report #4

flydiver Quote:
Registered User
Originally Posted by torqueflite
They can become unstable by overdischarge.
 Where do you get that? They become relatively more inert and harmless with over discharge. Completely
discharged they are just a bag of inert chemicals.

The over discharge can lead to compromises in the chemistry that may make them less stable when charged.
United States, WA, Seattle This would be more of a problem if a balance charger is not used.
Joined Jan 2007
5,255 Posts Long lasting damage seems to be all over the map from informal reading in the groups, anything from it seems
fine to it's shot. I think this is related to a host of factors: age and condition of the lipo, rapidity and degree of
discharge, time spent at discharge, brand of lipo, etc. Willingness (and ability) to deal with this issue are
similarly widespread.

I certainly see where Xpress is going with this. The forum gets a half dozen of exactly this kind of question a
week. Lots of people have absolutely no idea what they are dealing with.

Last edited by flydiver; Jun 30, 2009 at 05:50 PM.

Jun 30, 2009, 10:24 PM Report #5

Challenger 413 Quote:

Registered User
Originally Posted by flydiver
I certainly see where Xpress is going with this. The forum gets a half dozen of exactly this kind of
question a week. Lots of people have absolutely no idea what they are dealing with.

This has been covered so many times for the last 4 years, people don't read instructions on the LVC, on the
care of Lipos, etc., etc., Should we also ask for this to be a stickie? Really, trying to charge up a lipo with a
Dickinson, Tx.
Nimh/Nicad charger has been covered...We should make a stickie on how to avoid this,,, oh wait, there is one
Joined Sep 2004
5,361 Posts

Also, there should be warnings added, about the pack being compromised..

Challenger413

Jul 01, 2009, 02:11 AM Report #6

torqueflite Quote:
Registered User
Originally Posted by flydiver
Arendal Norway Where do you get that? They become relatively more inert and harmless with over discharge.
Joined May 2008 Completely discharged they are just a bag of inert chemicals.
87 Posts
The over discharge can lead to compromises in the chemistry that may make them less stable when
charged. This would be more of a problem if a balance charger is not used.

The thread is about *charging* overdischarged batteries. It is then self explanatory that we are not discussing
inertness of depleted cells. especially when I mention that there is a reason why Li-Po chargers refuse to
charge cells under a set voltage.

Feb 14, 2011, 10:05 AM Report #7

sundeer I recently over discharged a newer Lipo 2800 Mah, it barely indicated any voltage and my balanced charger
Registered User would not initiate a charge.

Canada, BC, Salmon Arm Whith the dead Lipo connected to the charger, I took a second fully charged Lipo and briefly connected the
Joined Feb 2011 negative and positive leads together, I mean very briefly.
1 Posts
The voltage bump passes through both batteries and switches the balanced charger into charge mode.

The battery took a full charge and is stable.

While this method worked for me, I did use safety glasses and a fire resistant charge bag. There is always
some form of risk when working with a discharged Lipo so use caution.

Feb 14, 2011, 10:08 AM Report #8

hoppy hmmmmm, there is a sticky on this subject.
Space Coast USA http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1074181

hoppy's Avatar

Space Coast
Joined Oct 2000
20,966 Posts

Feb 14, 2011, 10:36 AM Report #9

everydayflyer Indeed there is and has been long enough for regulars atleast to have noticed it.
Southern Pride
Sticky: "My battery is dead - HELP" info. ( 1 2 3) - 591 days old
hoppy

But then this is not a new Thread either

Jun 29, 2009, 08:59 PM 594 days old

Haralson County GA. USA
Charles
Joined Oct 2004
34,784 Posts

Last edited by everydayflyer; Feb 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM.

Feb 14, 2011, 11:44 AM Report #10

hoppy Might have been the impetus for writing a sticky.

Space Coast USA

hoppy's Avatar

Space Coast
Joined Oct 2000
20,966 Posts

Feb 14, 2011, 01:01 PM Report #11

zapadoo Maybe this could turn into a HOW TO for bringing (or not to bring) a dead thread back to life instead?
Registered User

Vancouver, BC
Joined Jan 2011
189 Posts

Feb 14, 2011, 06:49 PM Report #12

Mark Wood Thread necromancers...

characters welcome!
mw

United States, CA, Bear Valley

Springs
Joined Feb 2000
26,387 Posts
 Apr 25, 2011, 07:06 AM
Report #13

ferdous7466 Quote:
Registered User
Originally Posted by sundeer
I recently over discharged a newer Lipo 2800 Mah, it barely indicated any voltage and my balanced
charger would not initiate a charge.

Whith the dead Lipo connected to the charger, I took a second fully charged Lipo and briefly
Joined Mar 2010 connected the negative and positive leads together, I mean very briefly.
452 Posts
The voltage bump passes through both batteries and switches the balanced charger into charge
mode.

The battery took a full charge and is stable.

While this method worked for me, I did use safety glasses and a fire resistant charge bag. There is
always some form of risk when working with a discharged Lipo so use caution.

YOu are a crazy genious...hooooh!

Apr 25, 2011, 06:08 PM Report #14

hoppy Or maybe, how to kill 2 batteries at the same time.

Space Coast USA

hoppy's Avatar

Space Coast
Joined Oct 2000
20,966 Posts

May 05, 2011, 06:36 AM Report #15

uday how long does a recoverd 3s lipo batery take to charge completely
Registered User

Joined May 2011

16 Posts

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