Charging LiPo's
 

I have a Accu-Cycle charger and charging a FlightPower 11.1V 2100mAh battery. The instructions on charger say once battery is entered it asutomaticly sets the charging rate. It seems the rate is very low and it takes hours to charge the battery. What is a safe rate to charge this battery and how long should it take to get a full charge using this charger. And, does it turn itself off automaticly when fully charged. New to this and very confused. Thanks

Hello cotman,

I'm not familiar with that charger, but you should be able to charge your 2100 mAh pack at up to 2 amps (1C) with no problem. My 2100 mAh packs take about 30 minutes to charge at 2 amps.

Lipo's charge safely at 1C - that is at one times their capacity. A 2100mah battery would charge safely at 2100mah (2.1 amps), a one hour rate to fully charge. Actual charge time is less as previously stated since it is very bad to fully deplete your LIPO battery.

Make sure that you're entering the battery capacity correctly, and that you're not using the trickle charge mode.

Try setting the charge rate manually to 2 or 2.1 amps.

Don't try to recharge or "peak" a fully charged LiPo.

The Hobbico Accu-Cycle charger does not charge Lipo batteries....it is for NiCd/NiMH only. If that's really the charger you have you're in danger of destroying your batteries and possibly burning down the house :(.

OTOH if you mean the Accu-Cycle ELITE, I take it all back ;). With that the default rate for 11.1V Lipo is only 0.3A so it will take a long time. You'll need to override it. The charger's 2A maximum will still be safe for that battery.

Steve

IOt is the Elite
 

Steve.... Don't do that to me... u scared the Sh-- out of me till I read your intire message. It is the Accu-Cycle Elite charger. Thanks for your help. Will have to reset to 2A charging. Thought there was something wrong with the default setting, had it on for a hour and it just about started to charge the battery.
Dick