RC Discharger - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have questions about RC Discharger? Our FAQ section provides clear answers to common inquiries about our high-performance battery management solutions, and product features. Whether you’re looking for technical details, you’ll find everything you need right here.

Troubleshooting 456DUO – 458DUO -4512DUO

Q: My iCharger performs a “soft reset” (reboots) during Dual Cycling. What should I do? 

A: ⚠️ STOP USING IT IMMEDIATELY. This issue is often caused by a missing hardware component (C29 capacitor). Please take the following steps right away:

  • Inspect: Open the case. If the C29 capacitor is missing on the board, contact us immediately.
  • Update: Ensure you are running Firmware v1.17 to prevent software instability.

Battery Care & Safety

Q: What is the ideal discharge voltage for my LiPo batteries?

A: You should never discharge your LiPo batteries below 3.5V per cell. Going below this voltage, whether through a discharge mode, a cycle setting, or via your ESC, will cause significant damage. This can severely reduce the battery’s lifespan and cause it to “puff,” which indicates internal damage. For the longevity and safety of your batteries, always set your cutoff voltage to 3.5V per cell or higher.

Q: Why is the right cable gauge so important when using an RC Discharger?

A: Using the correct wire gauge is crucial for both performance and safety. A wire that is too thin for the amount of current you are running is considered “undersized.” This undersized cable has higher electrical resistance, which causes it to heat up significantly under load. This heat can be a serious safety hazard and can also damage both your battery and your charger over time. To prevent this, always use a cable that is rated for the current you plan to run.

Q: What cable gauge do you recommend for different current levels?

A: We highly recommend the following minimum cable gauges to safely handle high-current discharging and cycling:

  • For currents up to 30A: Use a minimum of 12AWG charge cable.
  • For currents up to 45A: Use a minimum of 10AWG.
  • For currents up to 70A: Use a minimum of 8AWG.


High-Power Cycling

Q: Why would I want to discharge/cycle at up to 70A?

A: Cycling your battery at a high current is a key strategy for maximizing its performance. This process significantly reduces the battery’s internal resistance, which in turn allows it to deliver more power, especially under high-demand conditions like racing. The lower the internal resistance (IR), the more efficiently your battery can deliver power with less heat and voltage sag. You can see the results of our internal resistance tests in the videos linked below.

Q: What cycling current do you recommend for different battery types?

A: We recommend matching your cycling current to the battery’s size and intended use. This ensures you get the most effective results without over-stressing the battery.

  • For low-profile batteries, we recommend a maximum cycle current of 30A.
  • For standard 25mm height batteries, we recommend a maximum of 45A.
  • For large batteries, such as those used for drag racing, you can safely cycle up to 70A.

Temperature Management

Q: What is the maximum safe temperature for my battery during cycling?

A: It is critical to never exceed the temperature recommended by the manufacturer. For most LiPo batteries, this is 45°C (113°F), while some specific brands may have a limit of up to 50°C (122°F). Going above these temperatures can cause irreversible damage and is a significant safety risk. We recommend using a temperature sensor to monitor your battery’s heat during high-current cycling.

Our RC Discharger Temperature Sensor is available here: iCharger Temperature Sensor for LiPo Battery | RC Discharger

Cycle Safely: The Pro Racing Protocol

Kick off your season the right way by keeping your gear in top shape. We all want maximum power, but pushing your batteries too hard without the right data is a recipe for disaster.

Follow our professional guidelines to ensure your packs stay powerful, consistent, and safe.

The Pro Cycling Protocol

Never cycle a full battery. Starting a high-amp cycle on a fully charged pack puts unnecessary stress on the internal chemistry.

  • The Golden Rule: Always perform a storage discharge first. This ensures the cells are stabilized and chemically ready for the high-performance cycling process.

STOP Using LiPo Warmer Bags

Stop using LiPo warmer bags that “kill” batteries. These bags provide inconsistent heat and can easily overheat and destroy your cells before you even hit the track. High-performance racing requires precision, not guesswork.

Trust Your Gut (and the Data)

The best tool to feel performance is you—your gut instinct. However, to cycle safely and back up that instinct with precision, you need real-time data.

Protect your investment. Use a dedicated temperature sensor to monitor your packs during every cycle. Get the iCharger Temperature Sensor Here

Critical Safety Limits: Maximum Temperature

Exceeding heat limits is the fastest way to ruin a pack. Always consult your battery’s specific user guide, but follow these industry standards as a maximum:

  • Standard Brands: Max 45°C (113°F)

  • High-Temp Brands: Max 50°C (122°F)

Ambient Temp vs. Max Amps

Your environment matters! As the ambient heat in the pits rises, you must lower your charging amps to prevent internal damage.

Low Profile (LP) Batteries

  • 20°C – 30°C (68°F – 86°F) Ambient: Max 30A

  • 40°C (104°F) Ambient: Drop to 20A

Standard 25mm Height Batteries

  • 20°C – 30°C (68°F – 86°F) Ambient: Max 40A – 45A

  • 40°C (104°F) Ambient: Drop to 30A

Wiring Recommendations

Don’t choke your power! High-amp cycling requires heavy-duty leads to prevent voltage drops and dangerous heat buildup in the wires.

  • At 30A: Use a charge lead at minimum 12AWG.

  • At 40A/45A: Use a charge lead at minimum 10AWG.

Trust your gut, check your temps, and keep your batteries running strong!

How to Enable the USB port on your iCharger

To utilize the USB output port on your chargers for powering external devices (mobile phones, cameras, etc.), you must manually enable the feature in the system.

Configuration Steps:

  • Step 1: Press and hold Tab (or Knob on DX models) to access the system settings.
  • Step 2: Navigate to the “USB PD” parameter.
  • Step 3: Toggle the setting from “OFF” to “ON”.
  • Step 4: Navigate to the bottom and select Save and Exit to apply changes.

Troubleshooting 456DUO - 458DUO -4512DUO - DX6 - DX8 - DX12

  • If you have an error of balance in cycle mode, please update the firmware. Install the software Junsi Console Setup and open it, turn on your iCharger and plug a USB-C cable. The software should detect your icharger, then click sur Device and firmware upgrading and select the firmware than you downloaded.

 User guide – Junsi Console SetupFirmware 456DUOFirmware 458DUOFirmware 4512DUOFirmware DX6Firmware DX8Firmware DX12

v1.17

Troubleshooting 308DUO - 406DUO - 4010DUO - X6 - X8 - X12

  • If your charger is too slow to discharge, please update the firmware. You need the firmware v2.18, you can see the version when the charger starts.

User guide 406 – User guide 308 – User guide 4010 – Software for updateFirmware 406DUOFirmware 308DUOFirmware 4010DUO

  • If the cycle mode doesn’t work on your iCharger X6, please update the firmware. You need at least version 2.13, you can see your version when the charger starts.

User guide X6Software for update – Firmware X6Firmware X8Firmware X12

Synchronous mode

Synchronous mode iCharger 406DUO with our Regenerative Discharger RC Discharger

Cycle 70A on battery MACLAN Graphene V3 HV LCG Stick 6800 mAh used during my test.

How to setup the Synchronous Mode on iCharger DUO:

Go to Memory Setup, then Option, then Channel Mode to select Sychnoronous.
User guide Synchronous Mode iCharger here.

Uses your lipos 1S to 2S with the Synchronous mode on our Regeneragtive Discharger. Never use more 2S batteries or you will damage the regenerative discharger.

Cycle on two iCharger X6

Regenerative Discharger for two iCharger X6 - Cycle, Discharge and charge at 30A

How to setup our Resistor Bank for iCharger:

  • Connect the battery discharger to port #2 of your iCharger DUO.
  • Select (discharge) under Program Mode.
  • Select (to channel) Regenerative Mode.
  • Select (SET) button to calibrate charger under (Channel join). iCharger should read (Resistance or Bulbs).
  • Set Voltage limit to 24V.
  • Set Discharge current limit to 40 Amps.
RC Discharger