Charging lithium-ion batteries.

[OpAmp]

I read a little about charging lithium-ions at batteryuniversity.com but I’m not sure about charging them in series and/or parallel. After my small research, I’ve been led to believe that charging them in series or parallel wouldn’t be ok. Or would it? If not, how do lithium ion batteries used in laptops and power drills (that obviously use multiple cells) charge from a single supply? Or maybe I got it all wrong but I know you guys are the ones to ask.

I did a search on this forum but couldn't find anything useful enough to answer these questions. Maybe someone can give me a link to a post that answers all of these questions.

Currently I charge my good old (but heavy) lead acid batteries from my CC/CV bench power supply which never lets me down, other then the fact that the sla’s are only good for 200-300 cycles.

 

[marty]

I read a little about charging lithium-ions at batteryuniversity.com but I’m not sure about charging them in series and/or parallel. After my small research, I’ve been led to believe that charging them in series or parallel wouldn’t be ok. Or would it? If not, how do lithium ion batteries used in laptops and power drills (that obviously use multiple cells) charge from a single supply? Or maybe I got it all wrong but I know you guys are the ones to ask.

I did a search on this forum but couldn't find anything useful enough to answer these questions. Maybe someone can give me a link to a post that answers all of these questions.

Currently I charge my good old (but heavy) lead acid batteries from my CC/CV bench power supply which never lets me down, other then the fact that the sla’s are only good for 200-300 cycles.

If you don't know exactly what you are doing? Think it would be best to buy batteries with a charger. If lithium-ion batteries are not charged properly, bad things can happen. FIRE! Even purchased batteries should be charged for the first few times in a bomb shelter or far away from people.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Really depends on the type. If you're charging LiCo, then you can charge in series and parallel, but only if you take the time to balance them every couple of cycles. charged wrong and LiCo is a bomb.

But the other side of that, LiFePO4 is a Lithium Ion battery as well, and charged wrong you just ruin the cell. There's little fire danger, and they won't blow up.

There are several other chemestries in the Li-on range, and they each have there own chatracteristiccs and charging needs. some are ok to chage in series or parallel, some aren't.

 

[drewjet]

Charging in series can be done, but without a balancing charger or BMS is BAD. Again it can be done but is highly recommended to avoid this.

Charging parallel cells is fine as long as you are only charging one set (1S) at a time

 

[TylerDurden]

Mayhaps this goes in the battery section?

 

[OpAmp]

Mayhaps this goes in the battery section?

My mistake, thanks to those responsible for moving it.