Charging Lipo's

[Captain Tobias]

I have read tons of stuff on Lipo's and how to charge them. My basic understanding is that when charging your lipo with your charger, you set the correct number of cells (S) and the charging current (in amps). That's simple enough. For example, charging a 3S 2200mAh rated at C1 would require 2.2 amp. No problem there as my charger has a maximum current output of 5 amp (it's a Reactor 500).

Now, the 3S Turnigy nano-tech 8400mAh for example, has a charge rating of 10C and applying the same equation I get 84 amp charging current! It this true? I don't think there is a charger on the planet that will output 84 amp so what's the point? In my case, I can only charge at a maximum of 5 amp so the manufacturer's claim has no meaning at all. Turnigy might as well state that the charge rating is C50 (I know the diff between charge rating and discharge rating) and no one would be the wiser. Am I correct?

[Dusty]

whatever capacity the LiPo has, it is recommended to only ever charge no higher than 1C regardless of what the manufacturer claims to be the possible charging rate, so the recommended charging current for the 8400mah would be 8.4Amps... but seeing as you only have a 5A capable charger, 5A is fine too.

[Mancini]

yeah it's just take more time to charge.
stay at 1C charging rate.

[MrBen]

I charge 2c at the field and 1c at home (unless im in a hurry) basically I charge 1c when i have plenty of time

[motofox]

why do my battery charger never charge at the full amps. Its a turnigy accucell 6  and its 6amp max but when charging my batterys never draw more than about 4amp?

[xxpitt]

why do my battery charger never charge at the full amps. Its a turnigy accucell 6  and its 6amp max but when charging my batterys never draw more than about 4amp?

Same here I try charge my 3000mah lipos at 3a but they charge at a lower amp than that. When I'm at the field I go to 6a and it charges at about 3.2a, never know why it does this it just does

[motofox]

I reckon it might be the input voltage, it might need to be 13volts or more.

[bigMouse]

If its on "balance charge" then it won't charge at full amps!

My charger is 6a max and found when charging 8ah batteries (less than 1C) the charger will time-out, need to recharge twice, sometimes 3 times to achieve a full charge! I try to avoid charging in the field, only done at home with charger connected to mains so can't help when charger is supplied from battery

[Mancini]

why do my battery charger never charge at the full amps. Its a turnigy accucell 6  and its 6amp max but when charging my batterys never draw more than about 4amp?

50W - this is your answer.

[MrBen]

as Marcin said you are being limited by the charger

volts x amps = watts

so if you have a 3s lipo and a 50w charger then its only ever going to charge at  (50w / 12.6v =) 3.96amps max if you have a 4s lipo then (50w / 16.8v =) 2.97amps max

a charger around 150watt would be a good investment especially when charging larger lipos

[papa_lazerous]

1000 watt charger supplied with 24volts at 47amps (1128 watts)
Meaning I can charge 6 2200mah 3s packs at 2C quite happily (26.4 Amps) my max current is 30 Amps 😄

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