The need for balancing of LiPoly battery packs has been a subject for discussion on this forum before, however at the risk of repeating the subject ad nausiam, I think the following new notes from FlightPower are worthwhile quoting here...
"A balanced pack is a measure of optimum pack maintenance and this is a key factor in preserving the life and performance of all Lithium-Polymer battery packs. (advertising removed)
Due to the high-discharge conditions placed upon packs in electric flight applications it is possible for the individual cells in the packs to go out of balance over time, that is a discrepancy in voltage can be noticed between the cells. It is important for this inbalance to be rectified and not allowed to get worse as time goes on.
Stay balanced modules as stand alone units work by measuring each individual cell voltage in the pack, finding the lowest cell voltage and then discharging the other cells in the pack down to that level.
e.g. if a pack that has just been discharged gives voltage readings of;
Cell1 = 3.40V
Cell2 = 3.40V
Cell3 = 3.30V
The stay balanced module will discharge Cell1 and Cell2 down to 3.30V (Cell3)
When used in conjuction with a charger the stay balanced module will balance the pack as charging is taking place, presenting a fully charged and balanced pack at the end of the charge cycle."
I have heard some statistics stating that the life of a pack can be reduced from the normal average 200-300 charging cycles to as little as 40 cycles which would suggest that investment in and use of a 'pack balancer' is well justified...over to you...
"A balanced pack is a measure of optimum pack maintenance and this is a key factor in preserving the life and performance of all Lithium-Polymer battery packs. (advertising removed)
Due to the high-discharge conditions placed upon packs in electric flight applications it is possible for the individual cells in the packs to go out of balance over time, that is a discrepancy in voltage can be noticed between the cells. It is important for this inbalance to be rectified and not allowed to get worse as time goes on.
Stay balanced modules as stand alone units work by measuring each individual cell voltage in the pack, finding the lowest cell voltage and then discharging the other cells in the pack down to that level.
e.g. if a pack that has just been discharged gives voltage readings of;
Cell1 = 3.40V
Cell2 = 3.40V
Cell3 = 3.30V
The stay balanced module will discharge Cell1 and Cell2 down to 3.30V (Cell3)
When used in conjuction with a charger the stay balanced module will balance the pack as charging is taking place, presenting a fully charged and balanced pack at the end of the charge cycle."
I have heard some statistics stating that the life of a pack can be reduced from the normal average 200-300 charging cycles to as little as 40 cycles which would suggest that investment in and use of a 'pack balancer' is well justified...over to you...
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