LiFePO4 Top Balance Tutorial Lithium Ion DIY Beginner Friendly

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[@Crazy_Chicken_and_Lakrits]

When You want to measure voltage over each cell individually I think they must be separated and not connected in parallel. When connected in parallel, as in Your video, of course You will measure exactly the same voltage, as You measure over all cells, not each cell individually.

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Hello, thanks for watching. I find the cell voltages where different even connected in parallel on the power supply (remember I really unbalanced them). It was only once they was top balanced and the power supply read 0amps did the cells read the same.

[@Jozefszky]

Very good point @pc55093 , I think the same. If you connect the cells with the bus bars, the voltage will be the same doesn't matter where you measure. An other thing what was strange in every balancing video, they just simply connect the cells paralell with the bus bars, and after it they start to play with the 3.6 volt charging. My understanding is, if you connect different SOC cells together, they will balance the voltage levels immediately, but with huge current flow, which is very bad for the batteries. Why nobody is talking about this, just connect the cells like no one cares????

[@DuaneStorey]

@@SolarPowerChannelwithChris You're just seeing repeatability issues with your multimeter. If they are all connected in parallel, by definition they have to be at the exact voltage. As others said, you need to disconnect them to test individually.

[@ploegmma]

😂 you see, everywhere I measure, same voltage

[@XXXCRSPL]

How else are you going to check them when the banks together? Only way and each cell even together have their own voltage

[@seans5960]

Thank you for this, very well explained

[@SalmonKing52]

Hi Chris….I’m still trying to find that alternate method you mentioned a link in the description but I don’t see it…

[@CHloras]

Current is measured by amps, not by volts (0:15) !

[@densito]

I have been told not to bring the charge up to 100%...what is your view on it?

[@markfromwestcoastwoodcraft7633]

once the cells reach 3.65 volts and the power supply amperage drops to zero , how long do you leave the cells in this state of charge and connected in parallel ?

[@Veveve1]

Measuring the voltages while connected - wont yield different voltages

[@jamest.5001]

For those who don't know, there is a difference between nominal voltage and charge voltage, 3.6 is charge voltage for LiFePo, and nominal for lipo is 3.7, so pay attention to the nominal voltage and chemistry of the cells... Or there could be 🔥😭

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Thanks for watching! Yes good point, I shall say this and be more clear in the future. As well as buying BMS.

[@thuggfrogg]

Is it safe to leave the charger set at 3.65V connected to the cells when they're topped off, as you did at the 4:25 mark? I'm wondering if I can use this method to charge my cells overnight without worrying. Thank you!

[@charlieisgnarly]

You mentioned that you would need 56v charger for charging a 48v batteries (8 cells) however the Lab PSU that I ordered will only do 30v at 10a, does that meant that I can only balance 4 cells (12v) at a time?

[@KoiAquaponics]

I'm confused, so if they begin as out of balance, when the charger pushes current through what happens to the cells that reached the max voltage first? they're still receiving current right? Do we remove the ones that reach 3.6v out of the charger?

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Hello, thank you for watching. Once the cells reach 3.6v they stop accepting any more current. Thus you leave all 4 cells connected in parallel until all 4 show no current. Cells 1 and 2 maybe 3.6v cells 3 and 4 could be 3.4v, regardless leave it all connected. The cells won't keep charging as they have balanced with the charger. I made the video ages ago but you will see the amp display on the supply unit starting to drop.. Indicating the cells are almost charged.

[@justinbelote1768]

Anyone know if it’s ok to use stranded 12 awg wire wire in place of bus bars? I don’t have enough bus bars and figured since it was low voltage and low amps it. Ight be fine. Anyone?

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

That should be fine. Long as they are all roughly the same capacity. Dont want a rush of current.

[@basiceducation1131]

Hi bro ❤

[@bambino3162]

I am a big time amateur. I see that you talk about cells , does that mean that a full batterie (12v 200ah LIFEPO4) does not to be top balanced? Could you please illustrate it with batteries?

[@nathanprofit3966]

please how many A of current do i need to charge 32pcs of cell of 200Ah battery to charge my battery quickly?

[@nathanprofit3966]

i don't understand i have 32 cells of lithium 200A battery coming from China you saying i should use higher voltage?

[@elpihendi6793]

Is it normal to see lower voltage then I set during charging ? Thank you for content !

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

If I understand your question properly.. Yes.

[@richardbenson7264]

Great video but needs to contsin so much more info

[@aspdotnet]

Does the power supply become 0A automatically when batteries come to 3.65V?

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Yes! It will drop to 0A

[@smarty7198]

Hi Chris, need some advice please. Can I use a SKYRC T200 balance charger to do my initial charge and balance at the same time on my 230ah lifepo4 prismatic cells? Charger current rate is 0.1 - 12amps and it has port for 2-6s balance leads. Does that mean I can charge/balance the cells without using my jbd bms as the charger is kind of acting as the bms for that charging/balancing period?(obviously I will be using the jbd bms when the battery goes into proper use in my van) Also it has a storage charge function so could i do the initial charge & balance then put the battery into storage charge whilst I finish my van off. Anything n to add to that? I’m hoping I can use this charger as it will save me buying a power supply to only use it once. Many thanks.

[@ovchannelag5238]

👍👍

[@andytaylor3594]

Hi Chris, I had about 0.4a left on my PSU and I had to stop it (lack of availability of devices and my laptop was about to die!). I have 2 cells reading 3.59 and 2 cells reading 3.60. How important it is for me to go back through the process of top balancing with these values? Am I able to discharge and recharge the battery pack a few times to sort the out of balance out? Additionally, I need to test the capacity of this pack. I don't have the fancy device you have. Can I use something that I know the continuous discharge value i.e. my extractor fan and time it?

[@abelramos8652]

Hi Chris! Can I balancing them with the PV power supply and save some money off the charger? My cells are arriving … thanks!

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Hello, you may find the cells are pretty balanced already. Charge them up on the PV with your solar change controller and when the BMS does the disconnect. Check the individual cell voltages. You may be ok..

[@jdehundt]

Are you really measuring the voltage on every cell with the busbars on? If there is no current flowing they are the same You lost al your credit for me

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

An old manager once said to me, explain like they know nothing. Never assume they know too. This goes with everything I do when passing on knowledge.

[@pippi1970]

Agree!

[@bobspeller2225]

What advice would give for my project. I have an 8 x 8 ft shed at the top of my garden, this puts it at the top of a hill some 120ft from the barn. I would like to set up a solar system for lights, and to use some power tools, This will not be used on a regular bases and may be left un-attended for three months at a time. What would you recommend? I look forward to hearing from you. Many Thanks Bob

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Hello Bob, thanks for watching. What is your budget? How much direct sun does your shed get? What power tools we talking?

[@Bokul112]

@@SolarPowerChannelwithChrishello sir Daly bms is good or jk please tell me

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

@@Bokul112 seems fine..

[@Bokul112]

@@SolarPowerChannelwithChris which one better sir

[@jS-yk5lc]

Volt and amp for charge??

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

3.6v in parallel and 14.6v for series 4s setup.

[@onemoment7368]

So you can't use 14.6v charger to balance them?

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Thanks for watching. No just to change them, as in lift there state of charge quicker then finish them off on the power supply. Charging them at 14.6v won't lift all the cells because the bms will do a disconnect. Safety reasons, always use a bms.

[@beaker2000]

No, you have to top off the cells individually or in parallel at the single cell voltage to assure they are at full capacity before putting them into a pack. Once they are in a pack, if properly top balanced before hand, they should stay in decent balance while the pack discharges and charges evenly across all cells.

[@pandyinfrance3065]

You can't test individual voltages when they're connected in parallel. Learn some electrical theory before making 'instructional' videos.