Assembling pack - is order important?

[Nubo]

I'm putting together a serial pack of 9 x 4/3A NiMh. I've done my best to match the cells. After culling, my 9 closest cells fall in the following range at the end of the discharge run:

.96, .98, .98, .98, .99, .99, 1.00, 1.00, 1.01

Is there any advantage in any particular order for these cells as they're assembled? For instance, for the .96 cell, does it help to put it at either the positive or negative end of the string? Or the middle?

Just wondering if there's any spot in the series that would be best for the "weak sister"...? The pack is separate from the light head, so heating from the bulb won't be a factor.

Thanks!

 

[VidPro]

in a series curcuit, all items in the line get the same current flowing through them.
but heat and cold , for example can change things. heat could have a cell push harder or less, than others, and depleate sooner, and the reverse for cold.
or the hot one could put out less total capacity, same for cold

you have a good match, cept for that 96 one
if i was going to attempt an order, when order does NOT matter, i would put the best cells closest to the hot end, and closest to the + side. depending on the heat of discharge, and the heat of the lamp and such, those cells would suffeer the most anguish.

did i mention it doesnt matter

and the capacity of each cell would have been more important than the discharge voltage it made it to, so i assume here you discharged in SERIES, and are finding the ones that were lower after that discharge. and if you kept the load on (hard to do) the voltage then would be the one to watch

 

[VidPro]

ok seperate from the light head, that just leave convection heat flow from the batteries themselves, so the "top" of the pack would be the hottest. or closest to your body (say a belt pack) would be warmer than winter temps, so in winter the good cells in the cold
on a belt pack the best cells in very high heet or very cold, would be away from the pack, because in extreeme temps your body temp would be better.

and same for when charging, if the best cells were in the most extreeme conditions, and the lesser cells were in less extreeme conditions because they are already lesser.

 

[Nubo]

...the capacity of each cell would have been more important than the discharge voltage it made it to, so i assume here you discharged in SERIES, and are finding the ones that were lower after that discharge. and if you kept the load on (hard to do) the voltage then would be the one to watch

Yes, discharged in series and cells measured individually under load. This was done with 3 packs of 4 cells each. Measured (quickly!) when the pack voltage equalled 4.00 volts. Load was approx 3 amps. Best I could do with equipment on hand Device pulls 1.25 amps.

Fortunately the device does have smart shutoff.

Thanks for answers.