lipo balancing question

[dirtoval1010]

should i ever balance my orion 3200?

[viper7016]

yes.

[Crashnomore]

Not according to Orion!;)

[AreCee]

Not according to Orion!;)

Then explain why they include a "balancing port".

[Crashnomore]

I spoke with two different Orion techs last week and both told me there was no need to balance their 2 cell Orion packs. They said the original plan was not to include a balance tap but finally decided to just in case someone felt the need to balance them. They said their team racers never balance their lipo packs. If you look at the balancer they recommend, it doesn't even work with their packs. You have to modify it to fit and the instructions on how to do it are on their website.

As for me, I'd probably balance.

[guver]

Answer is "Yes, if they need it"

The good idea is to at least check them.

[dirtoval1010]

how do i know when and how do i check it?

[guver]

You can check it any time, it is best to check it at full level.

Check voltage of each cell with voltmeter by using the balance port as a common pin.

Use + and balance port for 1 cell.
Then use - and port for 1 cell.

If readings are the same then it is already in balance. If not then it is not balanced.

[dirtoval1010]

thanks guys that helped alot

[Duster_360]

On the forums I belong to it seems that the better quality 2S lipos need balancing every once in a while - like 20 - 30 charges. I read on some sites that high quality 2 cells will not need balancing.

I like Guver's idea - check it out.

[Cotharyus]

There is no such thing as a multi-cell lipo that doesn't need balancing. It doesn't exist. In spite of what techs will tell you, I have seen more than one pack become completely unserviceable because they came out of balance and the voltage of one cell dropped below 3 volts. If you run LiPo batteries with more than one cell, and don't balance them regularly, you will be buying new packs before long.

[viper7016]

There is no such thing as a multi-cell lipo that doesn't need balancing. It doesn't exist. In spite of what techs will tell you, I have seen more than one pack become completely unserviceable because they came out of balance and the voltage of one cell dropped below 3 volts. If you run LiPo batteries with more than one cell, and don't balance them regularly, you will be buying new packs before long.

:winner:

Team racers get the advantage of receiving free batteries and can throw them out every race if need be. They don't care if their packs are out of balance. I however will spend $25 on a balancer to save my $125 pack for as long as possible.

[dirtoval1010]

what is a good balancer for 2 cell lipos

[viper7016]

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMRZ9

Does up to 6cells, all you should need.

[savagekid94]

how does that work i have a dynamite li-po compatible charger that does 1-3 cell lipo does that attach to my charger or do i plug it in to my lipo before i charge it

[viper7016]

It plugs into a separate plug on your battery.

[savagekid94]

yah but does the balancer charge it or does the charger charge it and then the balancer balance at teh same time seperatly

[sixshootertexan]

Most balancers can balance while charging or stand alone.