My tips for getting the best from your LiPos...
Store above 10degC, not outside and never below 0degC.
Store at about 50% charge, never flat and never fully charged.
Charge at 1C in a kevlar-lined bag with the flap firmly closed
Discharge at 1C in a kevlar-lined bag... etc.
At the first sign of any puffing, the cell will continue to operate but performance will be low. Currently I am using VapexTech cells which are excellent and cheap to replace, but one only three meetings old has already dropped its performance. Replacements on the way!
The biggest risk is when people charge LiPos above 4.2v per cell. That's why we have rules for that and that's why we check it. There is a performance advantage, but you're seeing the wrong thing by quoting the 12th scale guys.
The reality is that every charger is different and some will charge to 4.21v or 4.22v. What we are checking at 12th events is that cells are at 4.20v or less before cars go onto the track. To lose that .01/.01v the easy thing to do is rev the motor up, and that's what you see.
I race with people who use high charge and discharge rates on cells and they are rarely faster than me on top speed or acceleration out of a corner. A good quality, low IR cell will give you more than any amount of abuse through charging and discharging. HTH
