Charging packs

[tagmann50]

How far in advance do you all charge your packs before racing? Thanks for the help!

[rcguy2477]

I don't charge them in advance. They finish peaking right before I get on the track. If you finish charging them a while before the race, the voltage drops, and some capacity is lost.

[Silent Scope]

Im a complete noob but shouldnt you charge and then set them on trickle charge?

[highroller]

I take into consideration the length of time it takes for the pack(s) to charge on average (38 to 44min between 6-7amps) also the number of heats, length of time race director uses between the heats and before starting the next rounds. Then I start charging accordlingly which sometimes requires the use of 2 chargers, so that pack is done and in car when my heat is ready to go the next time. If start is delayed and pack cools down, I repeak it at the same rate it was charged so pack is warm. For weekly club races I'm not as particular as I am when attending a big race event.
No, the rates generally are too low pack voltage and temperature may drop too low at first and seem flat. Each type of battery tends to have a gray area (depending on what it's used for) where too low or too high affects the ability of cells to produce good voltage.

Then some race directors will give racers an idea of the times they will go off with the first heats and start the next rounds so with higher capacity batteries it gives racers an idea of when to start charging based on the position or heat they will be starting in. Then too if you have to make repairs it gives you a good idea if you will be able to run the next heat or sit them out.

[bigsig]

I have a .1-5amp dc charger. For a gp3300 pack what amp rate should I charge at? I also have a 2400 pack. Would it be the same?

[highroller]

The higher the capacity (MAH rationg) the longer it takes when using the same amperage rate. The condition of cells will also cause differences in the time between different packs of the same MAH capacity.

It's more of the seriuos racer that is concerned with how they do certain things in preparation for their racing, here the idea is to always get as much out of your equipment and repeating the level time after time. The average user or club racer is more concerned about cost and having fun so don't worry about being as precise.

For weekly racing I am not as concerned with a battery false peaking, capacity or motor performance not at levels it should be - I may even forgo doing the normal maintance on things. But at a big event I tend to be more picky or precise - if battery does charge well I use another, if motor isn't right I fix it or use another my competitive level is different so is my routine.