Proper care of Lipo batteries?

[FlyingTiger]

I have seen recommendations to discharge your batteries to storage level if not using them for a few days. But what about folks like me who never know when they will be flying? Some days I work overtime and can't fly. The next day might be raining. Then the wife deserves a little attention too. So if I charge my batteries after a flying session in the hope of flying again the next day, but that turns out to be 4 or 5 days later, what am I doing to my batteries. They won't spontaneously burst into flame in my flight box, will they? I don't want to get off work on a clear, calm day and first need to charge the batteries because it will be time for dinner by the time they are charged.

[RCModelReviews]

Leaving batteries fully charged won't instantly destroy them -- it will just shorten their useful life somewhat.

If (for instance) a battery that's always stored at storage charge would last for 2 years, one that's occasionally left fully charged for a few days might last for 20 months instead. One that's always left fully charged might only last 6 months.

That's the kind of effects we're talking about.

Given how cheap some batteries are (Zippy/Turnigy 3S 2200 packs for instance), it's probably not worth busting a sweat over.

However, if you've got some big expensive 6S 5000 nanotech packs, you might want to be a bit more diligent in storing them at the right voltage.