Anyone here recommend how to proceed with this 3S Lipo

[Ruhel]

I've unfortunately left my Turnigy Nano-Tech 6000mAh 3S Lipo (25-50C Discharge) in storage for much longer than recommended (2 Years). Prior to putting into storage I made sure the battery was cycled/balanced charged then discharged to storage voltage 3.8v per cell. Due to multiple things happening in my life I haven't used it since then. I pulled it out and checked the voltage and the cells have a mismatch in voltage.

 

Should I balance charge it first and then cycle it or discharge it to 3v per cell and balance charge it from there?

Also the Lipo does seem to have a slight bulge. Nothing too serious. 

 

Should I risk using it or just dispose of it? I've connected it to a 1amp draw to see what happens and its discharging ok.

Cheers

[manikyath]

try pumping in a slight charge current (in a safe place) and monitor it closely, if it starts to do anything weird unplug it and throw it as far away as you can.

 

if its still powering a decent load it *should* be fine.

[Ruhel]

1 minute ago, manikyath said:

try pumping in a slight charge current (in a safe place) and monitor it closely, if it starts to do anything weird unplug it and throw it as far away as you can.

 

if its still powering a decent load it *should* be fine.

I have a Mamba Monster Max with Castle Creations motor. Gonna hook it up and slowly ramp up the speeds. Lets see what happens then.

[manikyath]

7 minutes ago, Ruhel said:

I have a Mamba Monster Max with Castle Creations motor. Gonna hook it up and slowly ramp up the speeds. Lets see what happens then.

when i'm dealing with li-ion batteries i generally just test them with a 12 volt halogen bulb, but i'd say be a bit more careful than that with a lipo

[Hackentosher]

I think rcmodelreviews did a video on what to do with a lipo that's flat, not sure if this applies. 

[Ruhel]

9 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

I think rcmodelreviews did a video on what to do with a lipo that's flat, not sure if this applies. 

I was going to discharge it but put it back in my car and took it for a bash around the car park. Worked fine. Balanced charged it and it's not perfectly balanced. 

[Squirrel724]

Your charger may be capable of rebalancing the cells. Don't know how that would work though. I would be extremely cautious about inflated cells, LiPos can be extremely volatile.

[Brennan Price]

You'd probably save more time just to buy a new Lipo, then have more fun blowing up your old one.

[Ruhel]

5 hours ago, Brennan_Price said:

You'd probably save more time just to buy a new Lipo, then have more fun blowing up your old one.

 Hmm nice idea!!