LiPo Balancing Issue.

[Fruitfly01]

Hi guys, hope you can help.

I have a Fusion Ethos LX41B Pro charger. It's second hand, but I've had it for a while and it seems to work fine.

I recently bought 4 new LiPo batteries (Core RC, 2S 20C 4000mAh) and I'm quite delighted with all but one of them.

One is struggling to balance. It took ages to charge, compared to the others, and after trying again today, the cells read different voltages.

one cell reads at 4.210 volts. The other reads at 4.135. I wouldn't mind so much if it read 4.19, but it seems to be quite far off target.

I haven't got a discharger, so can't cycle to the pack (if that even helps a LiPo). I have one of those plug in and go NiCad dischargers and a LiPo alarm. Could I discharge a LiPo with that combination of items? Or is my battery a dud?

Any help will appreciated.

Many thanks

Tony.

[Fruitfly01]

OK, I discharged the battery using the method and tools described above - no problems, although it took a nearly five hours till the alarm sounded.

I've put the battery back on charge, and so far so good. It's been about 45 minutes at 4A (1C) and the entire battery is at about 8.098 volts. Individual cells appear to be at 4.046 volts each - slightly fluctuating due to still being on charge, but signs are good. Hopefully this battery is not a dud, after all .

[Fruitfly01]

The battery has just finished charging at 65 minutes and change. The last time I charged this battery at 4A it took over 2 hours, because the charger spent most of the time unsuccessfully balancing the cells.

This time, the charger ended on time and the cell capacities are much closer together. Cell 1 being 4.165V and cell 2 being 4.202V. Not perfect, but better. An hours charge and closer figures. That's good in my book.

[tamiya monkey]

Hi Mate, im no expert but i have a few lipo's that wouldn't balance a little like yours, i ended up sending them back for replacement's, i found that over time the out of balance packs got worse so better to send it back now whiel still new and in warranty.

Hope that helps.

[super gripper]

I agree with Tamiya monkey, send them back for a replacement. Some sellers I have noticed state they must be tested and sent back the same day as receipt

[Fruitfly01]

Thanks guys. I think it might be a bit too late to send anything back. I'll carry on. Yesterdays recharge seemed promising. Like I say, it's first charge took over two hours and finished unbalanced, but yesterday, after a discharge, it only took the normal hour and was close to being balanced. For all I know, my charger might not be quite up to the task of doing a proper job.