Conventional lipo pack wireing

[Ironchef2]

What is the common method to wire packs of lithium 18650 cells? I was planning to make packs of 7 cells in series and put 7 of these packs in parallel. However in order to balance each pack I would need 7 wires to the 18650 cells that would go to a jst-sh connector for balancing. However I just realized that the jst connectors do not come cheap and to do the whole battery pack I would need 7 connectors.
Am I just cheap or is there something you smart guys have figured out that I need to know?

 

[Ironchef2]

I made an error in the number of 18650 cells in a pack. There are 6 not 7.

 

[dogman dan]

The alternative can be to parallel cells first, then you just need one balance wire for each group of cells.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both ways, but in general if you buy a pre built pack, it will be paralleled then series connected.

 

[Ironchef2]

Thanks for the info. I wanted the pack cells to be in series to facilitate balancing safely. The manufactures can do this because they can optimize the conditions.
My original question was if there is some way to avoid having a jst connector for each group of 6 cells that would make sense and reduce the cost of wireing. I just thought someone had already figured this out and it was now common knowledge. Im a newbie at this.

 

[wesnewell]

http://scriptasylum.com/rc_speed/lipo.html

 

[Ironchef2]

Thanks for that link. It's real handy tool