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[axelover]

Hi everyone,
my friend is looking into buying a set of 5 used LiPos with 2 chargers. The selles claims that they were properly treated and used for a year without deep discharge. The price is also VERY nice (about 1/3 price of new ones).

So here is my question, do LiPo batteries show signs of wear after a year of proper usage? I know it depends on many factors like temperature, charging conditions, discharging parameters, frequency of use etc. but if anyone with better LiPo experience would help me, I'd be very happy

[xbeeongx]

LiPo's should fare pretty well after a year, if properly cared for and balanced. Do you have a LVC module for a LiPo? It would allow you to test capacity.

If the seller is on the level, s/he should have no problem letting you inspect the batteries for capacity and balance and other things before you buy. Unless they live really far away.

[axelover]

.....

If the seller is on the level, s/he should have no problem letting you inspect the batteries for capacity and balance and other things before you buy. Unless they live really far away.

That's the case

[xbeeongx]

That's the case

Then my advice is to be suspicious and cautious. The LiPo batteries s/he is selling might very well be in good condition, but how can you tell before you buy?

As a side note, it is not that difficult to deplete a LiPo all the way (thus doing damage to it), but it is easily preventable. I had an LVC on my LiPo battery and when it beeped, I recharged my battery and found that it was depleted almost 90%!

This means that even though I couldn't squeeze out that extra 9 or 10%, LiPo batteries can really give you a lot of "maximum thrust" with a nice amount of room for error compared to NiMH or *shudder*, NiiiiCaaaad 

EDIT: Depending on the cost, and the type of chargers, it might be worth the risk if the chargers themselves are good ones (Make sure they're LiPo chargers with balancing ports and whatnot).

[XavierMace]

Let me ask this, just how cheap are we talking here, and what are the specs on the batteries.

[axelover]

Let me ask this, just how cheap are we talking here, and what are the specs on the batteries.

2x GE POWER 11.1V 1050mAh 20C (for stock pipe)
2x FireFox 11.1V 1200mAh 20C (stick - one has damaged wires, I have a replacement)
1x FireFox 11.1V 1200mAh 20C (m4 frontgrip)
2x charger for 2 and 3 cell LiPo
The price is 200PLN now, that is an equivalent of about 62 dollars (the price today is 3.176PLN for dollar). It can go up a little.
The link is here, so You can see the photos:
http://allegro.pl/zestaw-baterii-lipo-i-ladowarki-i2084166085.html

[XavierMace]

It's a cheap enough price, assuming everything is in good condition, but they aren't terribly good products.  The chargers he's including are both cheap, barebones chargers.  The batteries are all low capacity, low discharge.  They'll get the job done, but there's definitely better options out there for reasonably cheap.

I'd recommend checking out HobbyKing.com, good prices, they ship to Poland and have EU warehouses.  You'll spend a little more but you'll be getting better stuff that you know works well.

[aznriptide859]

If you have the space for it look at their 11.1v 1300mah 25~50C batteries - they go for about $10USD each. If not you can always find the 1400mah 15~25C ones for about the same price.