Using Simulated Discharge Profiles To Condition Packs; Pack - Competition Electronics Turbo35-GFX User Manual

Another reason for matching cells is that over the course of multiple charge/discharge
cycles, the state of charge of the individual cells within the pack becomes imbalanced.
Matching is a way to restore and recharacterize (test 'em again) each cell and even to
gain information that will allow you to recombine these cells into new, different
combinations when their characteristics change; to "rematch" them.
The primary number for matching cells is the discharge time. The object is to gather up
sets of cells with as close a discharge time as possible.
In stock class, the discharge average voltage is also an important number. You want as
high a discharge average voltage as you can get. When grading for stock class, use the
discharge time first as the primary parameter; then use the discharge average voltage as a
secondary parameter. The higher the discharge average voltage, the more "punch" the
motor will have. This is because the pack with a high discharge average voltage is
delivering a higher voltage to the motor for a given period of time.
Another factor that affects "punch" is actual internal resistance. A lower actual internal
resistance is always better. The more you can maximize these parameters, the better the
motor performance will be.
When using packs with modified motors, the actual internal resistance should become the
second parameter to grade by. The discharge average voltage is not as important because
you can always go to a lower wind (read: lower impedance) motor to compensate for the
lower voltage.
Remember that when you are testing new packs, always cycle the packs 3 or 4 times at
the beginning, so that you achieve maximum performance from each cell. New cells need
a few cycles to properly break them in.
In order to achieve the best performance from your packs, you will need to determine the
correct peak detection voltage to use when charging them. Given a sufficient charge rate,
monitoring the cell temperature is an excellent way to do this. A typical peaking
temperature is around 125° F. The temperature rise is an indication that the chemical
reaction that takes place within the cells at the end of the charge cycle has come to
completion. For packs, start with a low peak-detect voltage such as 0.03 volts. Monitor
the pack temperature and increase as needed until the final temperature hits the target. Be
aware that different model cells, and different manufacturer's cells may differ in the peak
detect voltage required to achieve the desired temperature.

Using Simulated Discharge Profiles to Condition Packs

There is some evidence to indicate that packs respond to the way you drive them.
Consider the difference between an oval racer and the off road racer. The oval racer
settles into a pattern: Jam down the trigger going out of the turn, let off going into the
next turn, then do it again. The off road racer has an entirely different pattern.
For this reason, the T35-GFX includes conditioning discharge cycles for oval and off
road racing. These discharge cycles periodically increase and decrease discharge current
to simulate oval and off road racing patterns.
They are intended for conditioning only, and the display of regularly measured and
calculated parameters are not supported in these modes. So don't be surprised when the
measured data don't look right after using one of these discharge modes.
The T35-GFX programming locks out simulated discharge conditioning profiles below a
discharge current setpoint of 3 amps. This is built into the T35-GFX to avoid drawing
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