Home made batterypack - 18650 LiOn 3P2S array. How to charge?

[MrNaz]

i have a 3P2S (7.4V, ~8000mAh) battery pack and I want to know how best to charge it. Obviously, the best way would be to take it apart and charge them individually, but that would take ages as most 18650 chargers are only for 2 batteries at a time. Charging speed is not an issue, I would prefer a slow but safe charge (say 1.5A - 2A for the pack as a whole) as leaving the pack on charge overnight is not an issue. I have no problem crimping my own connectors on, so any charger will do so long as it can do a nice, clean, smart charge of a 7.4V pack.

Any recommendations?

 

[Fluor]

If you can take the batterypack apart why not get 3 x 18650 chargers? They are really cheap. I use this one and im happy with it:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105
Works with 110 to 240VAC. Just cut off the us plug and fit one of your own choice.

Or...you can get a smart charger. Program the charge current and voltage. Use a balance wire to get the balacing correct. I'm currently testing this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12618
It's not the best one, but its cheap. Just do some small mods and it's good to go. The transistors inside was not properly fitted to a heat sink.

I can post some pictures later if you are intrested?

Anyone know where to get balancing wires that will fit the charger? I know they will com with a balanced battery, but if you are making the battery yourself:thinking:

 

[Anders]

Hi MrNaz.

The best way is to use a RC charger with balancing option, like this one: Bantam BC-6:

Here you can find how to connect the cells to the charger.



Anders