LIPO life without balancing?

[Jer]

I bought a new battery from someone local. I know I will get guff for it, but it's an Integy 3s 2200maH. For some dumb reason Integy built it without a balance plug and I can't add one because they also capped the ends with some sort of goo I can't get off. My question is, how long should my $10 battery last just charging and discharging it without balancing it? And what could it do to my rig if I use it and it has a balance problem? Thanks

[JohnRobHolmes]

The biggest danger is charging. One out of whack cell can cause the other two to overcharge and start a fire.

No telling how long it will last. Maybe 15 cycles, maybe 30.

[Jer]

noted, charge it in the asshole neighbors garage lol

[Grizzly4x4]

Originally Posted by Jer

noted, charge it in the asshole neighbors garage lol

Or have Integy charge it.......

[Jer]

I figure $10 was cheap enough entertainment.

[paintballer9876]

Chances are the battery was made early on when lipos where new, they didnt have balance plugs because the issue was unknown at first. Usually batteries only become unbalanced because you hit low voltage cutoff. If you stay above that say 3.3volts and never go below you should be fine. This is assuming that the battery is balanced right now.

[2500hdon37s]

thats what you get for buying integy.

[Jer]

The battery appears to be entirely unused, not a single scuff on it. I paid $10 knowing it was Integy, so honestly I don't even care if it lasts two charges. I didn't notice it didn't have a balance plug until the day after. Who knows, I may dig away at the goo and put one on it anyway.

[Manning]

If you don't charge it too hard, and don't discharge it too far (as mentioned before), it'll last a good long time. Assuming it is good to start with. Batteries go will go bad with time, even with no use. Buying used batteries is a gamble.

[KBrog]

I had a few. They said the battery was 20C, when I got them they say 20C burst, 15C con. I emailed them, because for some reason they dont have a phone number, HMMM??? I was told thats how many co. rate there batterys. I said, ahh NO, It's just integy. I have cycled them over 15 times with no problems, but with the low C rating they swel and give up on a LCC so I used them for display. We stuck them with a nail on a stick and watched em burn.

[ped453]

mine lasted almost 50 cycles before it crap out....X3 on the above mentioned, if you don't over discharged and charged you should be fine

[PipeDreams]

Had an OG thunderpower before they had balance taps on them and it went for almost 4 years before it finally just didn't want to charge anymore. Then I've had newer ones that have been balanced and didn't take any more then 20 cycles.... Luck of the draw and being smart about how you treat them is what it comes down too

[rockn]

I never use my balancer but if my shop burns up I might cry.

[AreCee]

Originally Posted by PipeDreams

Had an OG thunderpower before they had balance taps on them and it went for almost 4 years before it finally just didn't want to charge anymore. Then I've had newer ones that have been balanced and didn't take any more then 20 cycles.... Luck of the draw and being smart about how you treat them is what it comes down too

I had the very same experience too.

I always balance charge my packs but sometimes they would give up the ghost and puff regardless.

It truly is the luck of the draw. Funny thing is that the HK packs I bought have outlasted a few "name brand" packs at a fraction of the cost. Now if only ROAR would approve the HK packs.

[rdtshaw]

I would dig out the goo and wire it up. That $10 will probably go a long way. And invest in a lipo bag for charging/storage. Also, I have 4 Integy 2S 5000 35C for my touring cars and revo, and they have been great batteries. Zero issues, well one, not ROAR Approved, but I don't have any sanctioned tracks anywhere near my house. Integy is def an aluminum casting suck house, but their motors, electronics and accessories have been decent for me.

Cheers,

Rob

[awdtsi]

I still have some of my original lipos from before they even offered balancing taps. They are still going strong.

[Failedabortion]

Originally Posted by AreCee

It truly is the luck of the draw. Funny thing is that the HK packs I bought have outlasted a few "name brand" packs at a fraction of the cost. Now if only ROAR would approve the HK packs.

HK has to send them in to be ROAR approved.

[Broken40]

Originally Posted by Failedabortion

HK has to send them in to be ROAR approved.

Here's a start http://www.hobbypartz.com/roar.html

[Chris_The_Battery_Man]

Originally Posted by paintballer9876

Chances are the battery was made early on when lipos where new, they didnt have balance plugs because the issue was unknown at first. Usually batteries only become unbalanced because you hit low voltage cutoff. If you stay above that say 3.3volts and never go below you should be fine. This is assuming that the battery is balanced right now.

Thats' not entirely true. Generally, lipos will go out of balance when the cell quality is poor. The IR of the cells will be off, causing one of the cells or more, to discharge faster. This still happens today, with new packs, being used with a balancer. With all the factories out there, rushing themselves into the lipo market, there is ALOT of crap. The reason that the cells may go out of balance on an over discharge, is because it is amplifying the IR differences.



So to answer your question, it is a fire hazard on the charger more so than anything. I say, for the 10 bucks, use it, but charge away from anything flammable, and just keep an eye on it. Dont leave it un-attended.

I have seen lipos go up to 4.5v without catching fire. Not to say that, that's safe, just to say that lipos arent as touchy as most people think. Be smart, and use common sense.

I wouldnt try to separate the goop either. You risk pulling the lining from the guts of the lipo, making an air gap. This will make the cells puff. Hope that helps.

[rdtshaw]

Originally Posted by Chris_The_Battery_Man

Thats' not entirely true. Generally, lipos will go out of balance when the cell quality is poor. The IR of the cells will be off, causing one of the cells or more, to discharge faster. This still happens today, with new packs, being used with a balancer. With all the factories out there, rushing themselves into the lipo market, there is ALOT of crap. The reason that the cells may go out of balance on an over discharge, is because it is amplifying the IR differences.



So to answer your question, it is a fire hazard on the charger more so than anything. I say, for the 10 bucks, use it, but charge away from anything flammable, and just keep an eye on it. Dont leave it un-attended.

I have seen lipos go up to 4.5v without catching fire. Not to say that, that's safe, just to say that lipos arent as touchy as most people think. Be smart, and use common sense.

I wouldnt try to separate the goop either. You risk pulling the lining from the guts of the lipo, making an air gap. This will make the cells puff. Hope that helps.

Just asting like he knows something about lipos.... sheesh! heh-heh. Good advice!