How to charge 2s or 2s2p 18650 pack

[poguy]

I have an application that needs 2 18650's in series. I may even go with 2s2p for longer run time.

Is there a cheap way to charge these without removing the cells and using a 4 bay charger? There are general purpose hobby chargers and I'd like to get away for something less expensive.

Thanks!

 

[nwonknnu]

I would also want to know that, in my case it's 2s2p.

 

[rmteo]

I have an application that needs 2 18650's in series. I may even go with 2s2p for longer run time.

Is there a cheap way to charge these without removing the cells and using a 4 bay charger? There are general purpose hobby chargers and I'd like to get away for something less expensive.

Thanks!

What charger is that?

 

[poguy]

They must exist somewhere... Sure don't want to mess with 2 separate chargers.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Poguy,

Most Li-Ion battery packs are charged with hobby chargers, or a dedicated charging circuit designed specifically for the battery pack.

You may have better results by changing your question to inquire about the various hobby chargers, or if you are handy, how to design and build your own charger.

Tom

 

[kramer5150]

I have an application that needs 2 18650's in series. I may even go with 2s2p for longer run time.

Is there a cheap way to charge these without removing the cells and using a 4 bay charger? There are general purpose hobby chargers and I'd like to get away for something less expensive.

Thanks!

No I am not aware of a "cheap" solution.
You need a hobby charger thats capable of balance charging. You also need to design a pack that can accept a balanced charging connector.

Heres a pretty good video that shows kind of how its done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch#v=Jl-TyLfQBtc

 

[poguy]

Yes, I'll have to go with a hobby charger + a 3 pin connector on the pack for charging. Turnigy has one for about $25 that does li, nimh and pb batteries.