how to maintain new IB4200's

[losichris]

just wondering if new IB cells shud be discharged and equilized at all when new?

[sosidge]

That would probably be a good idea, should prevent any problems caused by uneven self discharge during storage. But make sure you put some juice back in them once they come off the tray. And never take them to 0V or dead-short.

[super__dan]

I believe equalising before first charge on IB's is more important than any other cells. Because they seem to self discharge at different rates more than any other cells, if they have been in boxes for a few/many months they could be all out of balance. So in normal conditions a perfectly matched pack through the normal part of the discharge curve could be all out of wack!

The last ones I had, 2 cells were really low from new and took quite a while for the rest to equlaize. But then from first charge and now they continue to be great cells.

[Chrislong]

Do not discharge/equalise after a run, as during that week til the next race meeting they self discharge and may struggle to get them to take any charge... internal resistance rockets too.

What to do, and what I have only just realised I should do is... charge them, race them - and then put them back in case and take home with no treatment, then before charging again - discharge then equalise, cool down and charge -> race -> case etc.

I like to know how close (or how far nowadays) from dumping I was, so breaking the habit of discharging has been tough.

[Body Paint]

You can discharge them trackside as long as you put 500mAh in them before you go home.

Also remember it's not unusual for them to loose up to 300mAh in a week so if you are leaving them for extended periods of time you have to check on themevery couple of weeks.

Oh the joys of IB's

[PaulRotheram]

Originally Posted by Chrislong

Do not discharge/equalise after a run, as during that week til the next race meeting they self discharge and may struggle to get them to take any charge... internal resistance rockets too.

What to do, and what I have only just realised I should do is... charge them, race them - and then put them back in case and take home with no treatment, then before charging again - discharge then equalise, cool down and charge -> race -> case etc.

I like to know how close (or how far nowadays) from dumping I was, so breaking the habit of discharging has been tough.

exactly what i do.. it works spot on !!

[losichris]

thanx all. great help

[stegger]

paul/chris i also do what you do and providing you let them cool down they seem to be better on the second charge That's in 19t saloons