Resurecting an old thread as
I'd be intersted in the process flightpower uses for cell matching.
I have been running Apogee 2200's for months now and have never balanced them. I've used these packs probably 20-30 times and have always charged them with the HYPERION EOS0610I DUO but without the balancer. So I checked them the other day, and as advertised, the voltage of each cell is identical.
Here's a quote from the Apogee website
http://www.pfmdistribution.com:
"For years we have sat quietly aside watching the proponents of "pack balancing" spew forth misinformation. The truth is that a properly matched pack will not require balancing. Yes, we're sure this is a shock to many of you who have fallen for the balancing gimmick. Yes, Apogee was the first to put commercial grade plugs on all packs due to customer demand. We've had and seen enough.
Pack balancing is a gimmick perpetuated by companies who make balancers, and by other companies who do not match battery cells within the pack. A properly matched pack will not require balancing, and in fact will mask a failing cell. Balancing is a band aid for companies who lack the proper equipment to do cell matching. All Apogee packs have been cell matched since the day we started.
Due to misinformation, more packs have been damaged during balancing than have been helped. If you insist on balancing a pack (If it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, and you sleep better at night, have at it), please, please, only balance fully charged packs.
Why only balance fully charged packs? All properly matched cells are mated together so that the high and low voltages will coincide. There may be mid-point voltage variances. Balancing a partially charged pack can cause the high and low voltages to become unbalanced. Again, please, if you insist on the balancing gimmick, please only balance fully charged packs."
Anyway, I found Apogee's perspective interesting so I thought I'd share