How to charge a series battery pack

Thread Starter

quique123

Joined May 15, 2015
405
I have 3 18650's in series providing about 12V. I'm wondering how to recharge it once they are drained? Do I have to charge it with a 12-14V dc output charger by applying the leads to the series pack + and -?
 

BobTPH

Joined Jun 5, 2013
8,807
No, you either need a BMS or you need to take them out and charge them individually. Trying to charge them in series without balancing could end disastrously.

Bob
 

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,501
I would have built the battery pack to allow each battery to be charged individually. This is a Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer battery charger based on the MCP73833. The same board is also available from other sources for about half the shown price. Trying to charge three Lithium Ion batteries in series is a recipe for things to go wrong.There are likely chargers designed for what you have but just applying 12 VDC is not a good idea.

Ron
 
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