Noob 6S battery question.

[CKoz]

So I just received my giant Zippy 6s 30C 5000mah brick of a battery. I'm using a Imax B6 Ultimate battery charger.

I've read that I should cycle this brand new batteries 3-5 times before use. Is this correct? Is there anything else I need to do as well?

Any advice would be helpful....

[IRON-PAWW]

Well.... There's no hard and fast rules about what to do with new LiPo's, concerning running them in. From where I sit, opinions on this are divided. Some people do indeed say you need to charge and discharge a few times (4-5) before actually running them in a boat. Others say take it easy the first few runs. However, half throttle puts strain on ESC's so be careful if you do that. I just install new LiPo's in my boats and get busy with them. Some say that it will take 5 - 10 runs to get new LiPo's working to their full potential - to get run-in if you like. That might be where the 5 x charge / discharge comes from, I'm not sure.

In any case, when working with new equip in boats, and especially a new boat itself, I run for a short time (1 min say) then return to shore to check things over. Motor temp, battery temp, do I smell smoke, is there water where there shouldn't be. Anything loose? Then run a little longer & return to shore again, check. So that's what I'd do with new LiPo's, return to shore a few times to check on the first run. Wiring too..... Check temps on wiring & connectors. I don't bother with the charge / discharge thing prior to running. Extensive LiPo collection now..... But no 6s ones I admit..... I go 3s in series.

Good link on LiPo's

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html

Helicopter webpage, and an older article now, but the info is still good.

Hope that helps.