Glacier & Pulse questions

[mike77gmc]

Hello all,
I have only two batteries for my 450 and they got me scratching my head. I figured I would call on the collective experience of y'all on this forum to straighten me out. The first is a newer Pulse 65C 3S battery that freaking flies great! Plenty of power there to push the Scorpion -8 motor and it comes down cool and non-puffed after 6:30 (I haven't graduated to 3D flight yet). But I have noticed after only 26 flights, the IR is a bit off. 14, 5, 6. I am wondering if cell #1 being that much higher is cause for concern. I notice after a flight, that same cell is usually about .03V higher than the other two. Am I concerned over nothing?
The second battery is a Glacier 35C that is a little older (maybe 45 flights on it) but has taken a pretty bad crash. The battery has a slight dent on the side of one cell and flies well, but comes down pretty warm and puffed up. It never looses the puff, even when cool. The IR is higher- 17, 24, 23. Should I be concerned with this battery even if it still performs?
I'm going to buy 2 more batteries soon and I like the Pulse Ultras, but am wondering if the Thunder Power G8 is worth the hype?

Thanks for your time, and y'all stay safe,
Mike

[Russell Harding]

Define "Concerned".

The pulse has a bad cell starting. It is fine for now, and it sounds like you're already watching it closely. One of the bigger signs will be self discharge and a lower resting voltage after a day or two (by .1V or more).

The glacer is just getting old. High IRs and puffing. If it is still flying, keep at it until performance isn't what you need and get another.

A 6:30 flight is pretty long. Make sure you're not going below 3.75V resting voltage after a flight. Also make sure to not store them charged, even for a week. That is about the best way to shorten the life of a battery.

[Russell Harding]

My experience: Thunder power: not worth the hype (cost, really). I fly Glaciers (hard) on my 700 and would buy again. Have had Thunder power for my 450 (not impressed at all), Optipower (good, but no better than glacier for my 700). I've also been plenty happy with Turnigy a-spec, but they cost in the ballpark of the 'better' batteries anyway.

[mike77gmc]

Thanks for the input, guys. It sounds like I caused the problems. I was new and ignorant when they were new and for a while I charged them after flying, and left them full for flying the next day. Won't do that anymore! Plus I thought the magic number was 3.7v and the resting voltage I have with those flight times is usually between 3.72 & 3.73. Perhaps that might have harmed them as well. Live and learn, huh? I am going to drop my flight times by 20 seconds and see what happens.

Mike

[Slyster]

LIPO BASICS READ ME FIRST

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=336421

[Russell Harding]

The batteries you're using are cheap. It might be worth your time (money) to keep abusing them if you don't mind buying them at the current rate (about 3x faster than normal). I don't fuss too much with my small batteries, but a $300 pack for a 700 is a different story.

[aburkhardt]

Last time I checked a Glacier 2200 mah 3 cell was like $25.
I too learned the 'hard way' how to take care of batteries, albeit with my 130x and $5 batteries.

Next time you get new batteries take note of:
Flight times / what you set your timer at
Starting Voltage (4.19 for me)
Ending Voltage (Immediate & after resting 5 minutes)
Internal Resistance
How many mAh you are putting back in.
*Just be aware that old/tired packs might have decreased capacity.

If you have a 2200 mAh hour pack and follow the 80% rule, you should be putting 2200 x .80 = 1760 mAh back in. NOT 2200 mAh!!!!!

[Corvette & Copter Guy]

All of my 5s and 6s are puffy. Almost to the point of not fitting in my 480. Will never buy another glacier. My pulse are holding up very well.

[XRedJar]

I fly the Glacier 30c 2200 packs in my 450x, and my wife's 350QX2. I'm running the Scorpion 2221-8 motor and am getting 4:30 sport flying with 30% left in the pack.

Have had no issues with puffing or high IR numbers. When it comes time to replace them, I'll probably get the Glaciers again, just the 35c packs this time.

I don't run them to LVC or leave them fully charged, but I'm not super anal about them either.