LiFe for the first time

[k450]

I use my small 80w charger to charge LiPos. Do LiFe batteries charge just like LiPos, but with a final voltage of 3.3 instead of 3.7?

[chris-fry]

No, LiFe or A123 will charge up to 3.6V/cell. 3.3V is just nominal voltage.

[Four Stroker]

The Bantam lists 3 choices for lithium 3.3, 3.6, 3.7. These are the nominal voltages of LiFe, LiIon, LiPo and not the terminal charge voltage. Your user interface may be confusing.

[DWill]

I have a similar question. I just picked up a LiFe 2S 2100 pack for my transmitter.

I've got the nominal (or low voltage figured out, I think). At 3.3V/cell it read was at 28% if I recall correctly from this morning

I wanted to charge it. I'm using a PL8.

I used the A123 1100 Accurate Charge preset. The charge voltage is preset to 3.6 I believe.
When I charged the battery ANC checked it with a Futaba cell check set to LiFe it read like 95% when the PL8 said it was finished.

So now I'm wondering should I build a custom fuel table for the battery?
Do increase the chargefvoltage; if so, what to?

Or do I do both?

Stumped…

[k450]

Could it be because LiFe is supposed to be 3.3v/cell. Doesn't your battery show 6.6v on it?

[k450]

After 5 flights today on a 2100mAh LiFe I charged 511mA back into it to make it full. At this rate how many flights should I go between LiFe recharges?

[chris-fry]

Originally Posted by k450

After 5 flights today on a 2100mAh LiFe I charged 511mA back into it to make it full. At this rate how many flights should I go between LiFe recharges?

Thats roughly 100mAh per flight. 10-13 flights.

[k450]

Can I use a cell voltage checker to know when the LiFe is low or go by mA? What voltage level should I quit flying and recharge? Should I continue to monitor how many mA goes back into this battery during each recharge?

[Bladecpnitro]

This fellow helifreaker has a fuel gauge mounted on his heli.
https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=200363
He built this one but apparently Voltmagic sells one similar. http://www.voltmagic.com/

I don't have a fuel gauge but always watch the Mahs I put back into my 2S 1100 Mah Lifepo4 Rx pack on my Trex 550.
I chose smaller ones to keep weight down.

I use about 100 to 125 Mahs per flight and charge every 4 flights or change the pack for a fresh one. I might could get a few more flights in but hate to risk it.

I assume I'm safe to us at least 550 Mahs of the 1100.