Brian, I agree completely with your post, except on one point: balancing before charging isn't all that effective. Before the cells reach about 3.8v, the variance in capacities of the cells can cause the cells to have varied voltages. So, if you balance the cells where the differences in capacity have an effect, you would be in effect un-balancing the pack.

Everything else is good, though :).

Thanks a lot. I intend to balance everytime, but like to know what the ins and outs are even if i don't intend to do it like that. When i research something i try to dig deep and find as many things as i can

I see your point. So, you don't think balancing before charging has any benefit? It doesn't apply to me anyway as I balance while charging...

Personally, I wouldn't waste any time, I'd stick the battery right onto the charger and then plug the balancer in (I don't charge with the balancer between the battery and charger). Of course, a few seconds with the balancer plugged into the battery before the charge starts wouldn't hurt anything.