Kinda Confused??

[bncrshr77]

Ok, I've built batteries and read tons of forums on them... My batteries are 14.8v li-ion for bike lights....I use a hyperion charger w/balance leads....The magical question is this---Do I need a PCB "protection circuit board" built into my pack??? Will that answer change if I use protected or unprotected batteries??? Hopefully a battery guru on here will give me a clear answer to this!! Thanks..

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Bncrshr77,

Yes...

and Yes...

The question you didn't ask is will your pack work without any protection circuit, and the answer to that is yes as well.

Protection circuits protect against high current draw (accidental short), high voltage (charger malfunction), and over discharge (user error). In a perfect world with people operating things who never screw up, a protection circuit would not be needed. However, most of us live in a world that is less than perfect.

Tom

 

[bncrshr77]

Thanks Silverfox!! I know now that I need a PCB with unprotected batteries....but what about with protected batteries? This should be my final battery question!!!

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Bncrshr77,

A single protection circuit for a battery pack is more reliable than individual protection circuits on each cell. However, if you already have protected cells, you can make that work too.

I won't hold you to the "final question..." Usually more question come up from time to time. Feel free to ask them when they come up.

Tom

 

[bncrshr77]

Thanks for the answers!! Exactly what I needed to know.