Could anyone recommend a simple chip based charger for li-ion batteries? I have two different setups, one with 3 3.7v 14500 (900mA) batteries and a second with 4 3.6v 10440 (500mA) batteries, both setups run/charge in parallel.

I had thought to build my own charging circuit, but then found out there are chips that can regulate this already which sounds like a phenomenally better way to do this. I've just never don this before and searching for them online I hesitate to pick on myself. This is the kind of setup I'm trying to mimic with a USB charging port and outputs for the battery pack and circuit.

I would imagine each setup would require it's own unique chip catered to the total mAh of each battery pack? Also, are the chips as simple as power in and charging out or are there other things I need to be concerned about? All the chips I found were also SMD which shouldn't be a problem.

 

TI and Linear Tech have many of these. Just check out their websites, lots to choose from, and easy to implement.

 

Yeah, I'm still lost. This is really frustrating, this built-in charger is basically the only roadblock I'm having but completely shuts down my entire project

 

Is this for a product which will be sold to public?

 

Also, are the chips as simple as power in and charging out or are there other things I need to be concerned about? All the chips I found were also SMD which shouldn't be a problem.

There are many things to consider. The controller chips have to be implemented with external components that "size" the charging current to the cell type. You may also have to adjust the charging voltage. The data sheets for the controllers should cover this.

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/DS21699B.pdf

http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/2217

http://datasheets.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX745.pdf