Balance lead wiring

[67spyder]

I have been lurking here for a long time and finally have a question that required logging in an posting. I am attempting to build a pack from salvaged 18650 cells. I tore apart about 100 dead drill and laptop batteries and now have a sea of cells (didn't actually count them). I bought a 4X6 cell charger from Hobby King and built a rig that I can quickly load 4 sets of 6 cells in. The only problem I have so far is such a noob problem that nobody has needed to talk about it. The balance leads seemed obvoius, six positive leads for each of the four sets of six cells and one negative for each set connected to the negative end of each series of six. The charger complains and won't balance charge saying there are only 5 batteries connected and I can't even charge individual cells unless I unplug the ballance leads. Of course there is minimal documentation with the charger.

Please help before I am burried under an avalance of 18650's

 

[fechter]

check the voltage of each cell group. Maybe there's one cell that's completely dead that's fooling the charger. You may need to charge cells individually to get them up to a "happy" voltage, something over 3.5v.

 

[67spyder]

I have already tried this with cells that I individually charged to 3.7V. The ballance port on the charger is labeled 654321- does this maybe mean that the negative lead connects to the neg side of cell one?? I have it connected to neg on cell 6 (negative on the 6S string)

 

[MrKang]

is it like this one?

as you can see you it says: (-Negative) 1 2 3 4 5 6

so this should work for 6 cells.

can you post a pic from your cell string ?
the (-) must be connected to the first negative of cell 1 NOT to cell 6!

connect it like this and it must work

 

[67spyder]

That is my charger, my wiring is close to that I just reversed the order of the cells (1 where 6 is etc) I will correct this tonight and let you know thank you for the reply. I am also having trouble cleaning the glue off the ends of the cells.

 

[67spyder]

Finally got time to rewire my battery rig(yeah insomnia) and it works great, many thanks MrKang