How do we break-in our LiPo batteries? || F3A Basics #5

[@rombautrc]

Do you break in your batteries? There are a lot of discussions about this subject... but I would like to know what do you normally do during the first flights 😉

[@markusstadlbauer9928]

I break in my (bigger) Lipos too. Quite similar than you do. I normally do 2-3 break in cycle at the charger (first 0.3C/0.5C, second 0.5C, third 1C) and then start with 2 smoot flight similar than you. From 6. circle ... normal use

[@rombautrc]

@@markusstadlbauer9928 Thanks for you comment Markus!

[@crisrombaut8121]

I think that all of us who fly models so careful have those cares in the first cycles especially to confirm that all the elements are fine. But I have many doubts about the usefulness of this care. I think it is nothing more than a vice produced by internal combustion engines. But it's so easy to do!! hahaha

[@kmoconnor80]

Nice in flight footage. Perfect landing right on the centerline. Thanks for the break in tips.

[@rombautrc]

Thanks for your comment Keven!

[@philiplewis957]

I also the same, when I get them I do a discharge on a charger then a balance charge to check capacity, then I repeat a couple more times and then an easy few first flights. I'm not actually convinced that it does any good but it's easy enough to do any way just in case it does! Still very sceptical of light weight high C rated batteries though! (to say the least), worth measuring (when new) the IR and checking it occasionally throughout the batteries life.

[@rombautrc]

I totally agree with you Philip. There are some experiments out there but as you said, it is easy to do and doing it you check the capacity, if all the elements are ok... so, I think it is worth it. I forgot to mention the IR... 😅before I was writing down the IR after every charge but now I am doing it from time to time to see how it is evolving. Thanks for mentoninig it!! 👍

[@charlestodt740]

@@rombautrc What IR is still good? I heard somewhere that up to 10 mAh is still godd.

[@johnwighton]

Interesting concept of running in batteries. I understand the need to moderate the thermal range, the performance of the pack does not degrade so much if the thermal range is minimised. However, our experience of many different batteries shows that the degradation is significantly worse if the batteries are fast charged. I believe you will get noticeably extended life (in terms of retaining baseline capacity), if you stop fast charging them. Conditioning to the optimum temperature followed by a 1C charge. My experience ranges from aeromodelling with electrics up to my company’s involvement with the RR ACCEL project, which recently broke several world records for electric aircraft. Learning from our colleagues at Electroflight.

[@charlestodt740]

What IR is still good? I heard somewhere that up to 10 mAh is still godd.

[@realflight7]

What is your charge/discharge/cycle process for new packs before your first flight on them? I usually run 3 cycles on the packs and monitor the charge and discharge stats (each cell within the pack). This has saved me in the past when I noticed a cell not being as equal as the others and I returned it for a new one. Thanks for the vids - I appreciate them.

[@rombautrc]

Thanks for your comment realflight7! Normally we cycle them at 0.5C the first one, after that at 1C as we always do.

[@everettecarpenter6606]

Hi Juan. From the graph that was displayed early in this video, are you actually running the Dualsky XP50504HED (4 cell packs in series) 5050 mah 50C Lipos?

[@rombautrc]

Hi Everette! No, I am using the 5 cell packs. So, in total 10S 💪

[@R.B_B]

I follow you channel a long time. Is amazing your video. Question or a good topic. What could be entry level (low cost) planes for F3A.

[@rombautrc]

Hi RbB! It is complicated to find low cost F3A airplanes. Some TOP companies like BJCraft produce smaller airplanes for 6S with great performance (really similar to the 2m) but I would not consider them in the low cost range. I have tried cheaper airplanes in my club from SebArt (Mythos) or FMS (Olympus 1400). They can not be compared with a 2m but in my opinion are nice options to start practicing F3A and see if you like the discipline. In any case, if you already have some experience flying RC planes, a 2m will always fly better and easier than any other smaller option, so maybe I would suggest the second-hand market, where you can find awesome F3A from past seasons (still competitive) with awesome flying characteristics for good price. Cheers!!

[@Tom-sp2xs]

I (pre) heat my lipo to 38 degrees celsius. Inner resistance drops to a third