RC Lipo Charging & Handling

There are numerous guides & tutorials over the web. And now here's mine.


(M) = Mandatory, must. You MUST follow this rule.
(R) = Highly recommended, but not a must.

First & foremost, each RC Lipo "brick" must undergo the following initiation (in order) upon receipt from the seller:

• (M) Verify the pack isn't swollen. If it is, it's done for, give the pack for recycling.
• (M) Plug a celllog-8 or equivalent, and see that all cells are at most (+/-)0.1v around a certain voltage, and that that voltage is between 3.8 and 3.85v.
  Example for a 6S pack: 3.84, 3.84, 3.85, 3.85, 3.84, 3.84.
  If one of the cells is off by just 0.1v, the cell may be salvageable by several cycles of balance charge & discharge.
  Example for a 6S pack: 3.80, 3.81, 3.79, 3.80, 3.81, 3.81.
  If after several cycles the cell still exhibits the same values, the pack's no good, throw the pack for recycling.
• (M) Balance charge the brick to 4.15. The brick is now almost at full capacity within safety limits.
• (M) Discharge the pack until the first cell reaches 3.0v. If the other cells' voltage is >3.5v, that's a bad sign. Perform several cycles of dis/charge, if the behavior remains, that pack's no good for use.
• Perform several cycles of dis/charge. If any of the cells exhibits wonky behavior, that pack is to be put aside.

Charging & caring:

• (M) NEVER EVER have any cell below 3.0v or above 4.2v.
• (M) Never charge unattended.
• (R) Charge at 1C maximum.
• (R) When not in use, keep the battery's balanced voltage @ 3.85v, that's how cells like to be stored and it will lengthen their lives. Charge the cells to 4.2v close to time of use.
• (M) Discharge cells to no less than 3.5v. Discharge to 3.3v only if must, but keep a close eye because that's when some cells plunge to 0, and.. catch fire or explode.

Sources:
RC Lipo series charging tutorial