How to charge custom lithium ion batteries (without a BMS)

Some people like to make their own lithium ion battery packs out of old laptop cells or whatever, but charging them can be a confusing task. This is the cheapest, safest, and most efficient way I've found to charge them.
From Banggood (stuff I used for this video):
Balance charger: goo.gl/HKoHwn
Balance wiring cables: goo.gl/Y6oGrH
Soldering iron: (amazon)
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[@timchambers5242]

In this video, the BMS is in the digitally controlled charger and works once you add the extra connections.

[@doel89]

i was just thinking, isnt the BMS already in the powersupply

[@kennethholland1502]

You have a 4s2p pack so each cell is 2 in parallel. So doing a balance charge like you are doing is better than nothing but it is still not going to overcome the problem if 1 cell fails. BMS is under the tip on the positive end of the battery and protects each cell being over charged in voltage and current and over discharged in voltage and current. You also need to use a special charger like you have as the batteries need to be charged in a particular way. First part of charging is constant current then it swaps to constant voltage to finish off until it achieves 4.2v.

[@dizzydinonysius]

You still are using a BMS. It's just separate with your configuration. Instead of having each battery pack having their own BMS, you have one for all the packs. I like it unless you need to charge more than however many the external BMS can supply. What is the maximum number of packs that can be charged at a time?

[@tof3275]

Hey there Tommy Great video. Concerning the mains wire/cable, here in the UK we have imprinted onto the cable the following details; voltage range - cable size ( 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm ) etc. etc. and an indicator conductor colour BN (brown) live, BL (blue) negative & YL/GN (yellow & green). Whenever I purchase anything that does not have a standard 3-pin UK plug BN (fused) BL & YL/GN (earth) I chop off the existing plug and rewire it with a standard UK 3-pin plug. Undertaking this lessens any main's cable-related problems that may occur in the future, and finally, UK plugs come with a fuse which two pin plugs do not. If in doubt get an experienced person to rewire the UK plug.

[@kevinroberts781]

Many US plugs are fused Sir. Just FYI

[@overlycranked8674]

( 6:30 ) ... exactly for the reason demonstrated at 6:33 those batteries MUST be charged individually to a perfect full charge before they get into those Parallel sets and they need to be rechecked now and then especially after heavy usage. Awesome video. Thank you for sharing

[@TommyCallaway]

Yup! If you match two badly unmatched voltage batteries, you could melt the nickel strips, or start a fire.

[@tuxnoel]

I decided build my ebike without BMS after watching your video. Thanks.

[@beansurfin]

Thank you. That was the easiest and best description on how to wire up a balance lead. Thanks.

[@TommyCallaway]

No problem!

[@ahofmann1577]

Could you please turn off that melody im the background, it's distracting.

[@icebreaka1969]

Let’s say it this way, it happen to all kinda of battery this way, not just Chinese battery. That is why we have and need a balanced battery charger for it, and by the way, thanks for explaining how to hoke up the wires, for most of us has been playing around with those electrical things, it is not hard to find out witch wire go where, but for some one who first time doing it, will be a hard time to find out how, or in a hard way to find out with a burned wires and exploded batteries. Great work, easy to understand .

[@shienkalitvinov]

take a little extra care when putting battery packs together... don't just slap glue and tack weld them together

[@jamesceastep8874]

Nice job. Good videography, clear language, and very logical discussion of important points providing background for beginners. Looking forward to more of these. - Jim

[@silasyount1785]

soldering in the middle of the bridge could melt the plastic covering the batteries in a spot that would be very likely to cause those two cells to touch where they are side by side. it would not be a direct short but could cause heating.

[@gordthor5351]

If you want your camera to focus don't hold the target item in front of your eyes. Camera's are made to focus on eyes and many people don't realize it. Try it. It works.

[@GEORGE-jf2vz]

You are using a bms. Its in the charger.

[@Full_Throttle_no_Brakes]

Awesome Video. I learned a lot. Small tip, next time lower the volume of the music or don't use music at all. Also the music chosen is not relaxing and do not help to focus on what you are saying and doing. Other than that, keep going. Great work!

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks! Yeah, I think my videos have gotten much better since this one. :)

[@jendo6354]

Good video, but isnt the charger basically a "external" BMS?

[@jackphillips3512]

Nice wiring. You do realize however, that the hobby charger is functioning as a battery manager when it is charging? You just don't have a continuous one on the bank.

[@TommyCallaway]

Well, in that regard, consider this how to only require a single BMS, rather than one for every battery you own.

[@interman7715]

Tommy Callaway Great video , I would like to make a 12 cell pack wired in parallel to get around 22volts for rc planes as I am sick of puffy expensive lipos ,could you explain the wiring please ?

[@TommyCallaway]

+interman 77 2 parallel, 6 in series to get to ~22v

[@interman7715]

Tommy Callaway Thanks mate ,I have been studying how to make packs up and rig the balance connectors ,your videos are very helpful .

[@quadcopterhobbyshansie_fpv5895]

Nice video man. I only want to say that maybe you should not solder in the middle of the nickel strip as it is close to the edge of the battery (-terminal) you could if the heatshrink melted under the nickel short out your whole project!

[@chibuzo7746]

thank you for explaining how the wiring goes. true, many just assume others know hence the make nonsense of their effort because in the end, if you do not know how the wiring goes... it is just not worth the effort.

[@DubuqueSwineAttorney]

yer exactly right about mentioning that explicitly.Please do what this intelligent man is telling you.When You Make a Battery Videro,PLEASE BE EXPLICIT AND SHE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE STEP SO those with autism have a fighting chance to learn this new technoligy.Thank Yall

[@donaldfrederick1557]

You can get contact paper from Michael's. Cut to size and insulates very well

[@MarcoS-xe7wd]

Good Video. I have Imax B6 Charger. It is has 6 cells balance socket. How do I balance charge if 13 or 14 cell ex. 13S4P or 14S4P. Do I need a charger with 13 or 14 balance sockets?

[@pandarama67]

Great video, thanks. I learned a few good tips being a noob. The smile over your plasma sword though I have no idea what its good for was vicariously shared and brought a smile to my face as well.

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks! It's actually great for charging my giant capacitor.. going to be making a video on that bad boy pretty soon.

[@davesnothereman699]

QUESTION SIR; I have these 7.4v 18650 4400mah packs and they only have 2 wires, red and black, but they say they are 2S, but my 2S Lipo Charger balance plug has 3 wires, one for - one for 1S and one for 2S. How do I get them to charge? Thanks.

[@E85_STI]

Do you have a 12v 5,ooo mah battery video? I know it’s a 3s2p but I just want to see if you had a video making one.

[@offgrid2010]

Thank you for this valuable info.. I do have a question though. You said you only needed 4 cell for the balance charger but your pack has 8 batteries. Is a single battery not defined as one cell? Hoping you still monitor this site since you have a new one.

[@yobikap]

Positive poles maters, His battery is 4s 2p, so you have to get only positive poles for 4s, and that are 4.

[@knowit555]

Batteries connected in parallel become 1 cell

[@noahriding5780]

People say Lithium batteries don't do well in cold temperatures. I wanted to ask if this also will make it harder for them to charge up in the similar cold weather since they already don't do as well in it? Thanks.

[@UFO_researcher]

The charging unit is a BMS. That's because a BMS is a battery management system.

[@Ak-us5rz]

i have a 4S3P battery pack im trying to find a way to charge both 4S and 3P how can i do that, do i need a custom bms or can i use this product?

[@nnejiamaechi9385]

Pls what the name and model of the charger snd the link to buy it?

[@RileyTheMonster299]

They do work great for a quick solar pack with the right charge controller and as long as you don't use too big of panels

[@Torxed]

Crocodile clamps on wires just "behind"/"below" the solder point, or place a normal Circuit Heat Sink on the left and right side of your nickel solder position to dissipate the heat from soldering if you're a new solderer and are unsure if you're about to overhead the battery because of prolonged soldering. Doesn't take much to dissipate the heat really, be careful out there! :)

[@user-2uf2kr2c]

what brand are those blue 3.7v 6000mah batteries and where did you get them? regards

[@kevinroberts781]

KZbin won't let me 👍 your video Sir

[@lil_xxmaryjchistxx9478]

Ok so I’m just curious, my PS4 controller won’t charge so I have taken the battery pack out so I just wanted to know how to charge the pack itself can you help???

[@mashedpotatoes5323]

Those super cheap cells from China are crap, they are either rejects or old recycled batteries. It's better to get cells from laptop batteries or power tool batteries

[@tyt6877]

I checked and most of these hobby balance chargers only go up to 6s for li-ion (22.2v). I'm looking to build a 37v battery out of 18650 batteries to power an electric scooter. Can this kind of balance charger charge a battery with this high of voltage?

[@dexterzlab21]

The original plug is for 240 volts AC, or can you switch between 240 and US voltage?

[@jacobgreene8938]

Hey im trying to add some 18650 batteries to a jbl xtreme while keeping the battery it came with at the same time. Would it be ok if i add them to the same bms board ??????

[@nnejiamaechi9385]

If one cany get balsnce chsrger what next? Keeping silent id discouraging

[@wturber]

OK. So this can't really isolate each cell, it can only isolate each parallel set. So in this case, two cells at once since this is 4S and 2P for 8 cells. So the low 2.98 voltage is actually the voltage for a pair of cells. So this method can't address an individual cell, but can address an individual bank of cells. Have I got this right? Thanks.

[@TommyCallaway]

+Jay Turberville yes, but it's the same type of isolation you get with a BMS. Parallel cells share the same voltage, the current is what increases, which is why this method works so well. Even if one cell in a pair dies it's safe, the max current would just decrease.

[@zack189909]

Is there any advantages of balance charging charging 1P or is this method ideal?

[@dominicdymond]

Tommy Callaway wouldn't the max current on the one remaining cell increase? Because you have all other dual cells putting XXamps in or pulling XXamps out but that one remaining cell will be the only one to match. The current should be the same through each cell in a series, the voltage per cell varies amperage per cell or set of cells should remain the same i thought. So if you use 5 cells then 2 them 5 the 2 should get hotter because more amps per cell are expected. I could totally be wrong though. I thought that's why cells tend to die as a whole group if left unchecked over time.

[@jamest.5001]

Jay Turberville when two cells are paralled, they act as a single cell. Only series cells can have different charges. But need to be balanced.

[@jamest.5001]

Jay Turberville and the cells in series need to be close as possible in capacity and internal resistance and voltage.

[@todddavidson4255]

Is it possible to for instance I have a 2700mAh 11.1v 29.97Wh 21.6 continuous discharge rate battery with a max charge of 3.5 can I make something to put a charge on this battery safely???

[@eden8881]

Is that doable with a single battery

[@bmzaron713]

Pretty sure the black wire is to first negative parallel group and the rest (red wires) are to subsequent positive cells in parallel.

[@Captain_Kdawg]

I’ve gotten a similar type hobby charger kinda like your! But I just made my first 18650 pack and I’m trying to do a discharge test with said charger to test the capacitor of my 4s5p pack with 20 18650 cells. And dang it’s taking a good bit of time. And I hope it don’t take that long trying to charge it with the hobby charger !!!

[@drabberfrog]

How do you know how many amps and volts to charge the batteries at? I want to make a li ion battery pack, I thought you multiply the rated charging amps for each cell by the number of cells and keep the voltage the same as it would be for 1 cell.

[@sbolton3039]

it is stated in the speck sheet

[@drabberfrog]

@@sbolton3039 so if the battery cell specs say to charge it to 4.2V at 5A and I'm charging a 4 cell pack I just charge it to 4.2V at up to 20 amps?

[@sbolton3039]

@@drabberfrog 20 amps no way. plus i dont know of any lith ion cell that charges tp 4.2 volts at 5 amps. a battery pack may have s 5 amp speck but please advise me what cell it is u are talking about and i will help u out.

[@drabberfrog]

@@sbolton3039 since it's 5, 000mah wouldn't you charge it at 1C? So the charge current would be 5 amps right? I have some LiPO batteries so I'm just assuming lithium-ion batteries are the same in that regard. I'm wondering how to know what current to charge a pack at and how would the batteries being in parallel or series affect the charging current.

[@sbolton3039]

@@drabberfrog cells hooked in series u add the charge voltage but not so on the amps. In any event i believe that with lithium nickel cobalt cells the slower u charge them the better it is for the battery but u may not want to wait so long for them to charge. As you increase the charge voltage the cells will charge faster but i believe over amping charge cycles kills the cells quite quickly.

[@kentklapstein9879]

How often do you "balance charge"? I have a similar charger (that design seems to be very common, rebranded a lot), with RC Lipo batteries I used to just monitor the packs and "balanced" them when the voltage differed between the cells by .2 volts. Balance charging is MUCH slower it seems. RC batteries are always 1p (cells are connected in Series to multiply voltage, rarely if ever, are cells connected in parallel). I think with Lipo it's too risky, also they have massive amp output so there is less reason to do this. If I understand this correctly the voltage you are reading is an average of that "Parallel group" which means that you could still have a "sick" cell in that group and it would read a normal voltage. I have broken apart old Makita packs and salvaged many good cells out failed packs, and seen exactly this case, there would be one "parallel group" that would read 2.9, but when I separated the cells there would be one cell at 3.5 and the other reading NO voltage at all..... These are 5s2p packs. Interestingly they seemed to fail because the BMS would draw off of one cell, when left on the shelf for long periods of time it seems to harm that one cell. Most of the packs that I have broken up have that one cell failed. Balancing only parallel groups would not show this as the good cell would try to overcompensate for the bad one and end up over charged....... The only solution for this would be to occasionally break up the packs. Professionally made packs seem to mitigate this risk by matching cells very closely in regards to capacity and internal resistance, but I suspect that it still causes issues as the packs wear. I am trying to create a pack that can be just un bolted and the cell taken apart and measured every month (this will be used on an ebike)

[@TommyCallaway]

You're right. This is one of the most intelligent questions I've gotten on this video, thank you. That's something I didn't account for, and most professional packs I've bought don't account for it either - but a modular design for swapping and testing individual cells would be awesome. I would build something but I've gone toward filmmaking and camera-tech as my channel topic. Pinning this comment.

[@Bruh_im0]

And what if i connect all the small red cables with the big red cable and the black small cables with the big cable please i want for an answer

[@jamest.5001]

Will this charger do 1s what is the charge and discharge current? I need one that will discharge at a fairly high current, to test a few 100p packs.

[@darkhunter5409]

Im just learning about this stuff and want to make a battery pack to run a led light bar on my dirt bike, and i was thinking of 4 batteries in series and 4 or 5 sets of the 4 olin parallel, how would i wire that up?

[@lurkingcorsa10]

need we the pcb protection in this 18650 pack when discharging process..bro?

[@edwardallen2425]

If its difficult getting to the negative terminal then scrap off an area on the batteries and connect to case. The case is negative. The case is a tube.

[@TommyCallaway]

Valid point!

[@finnenoksen31]

Damn that charger you mentioned on video when I check it the shipping is cost more than item itself to my country

[@si12volt1]

what about a12V 200Ah LiFePO4 Battery, Deep Cycle Battery with Max 2560W Output Power, Perfect for Your RVs, Solar System, Off-grid can it it be ok on a charger like this the battery bms was removed this is for solar charging and off grid usage

[@mohammedzaman1937]

i have charged a 18560 battery and connected couple of leds as load for 24 hours. The leds stayed lit for the whole day and the voltage came down from 4.2V to 3.89V. Is there a way to tell if this battery is good or bad.

[@camplays487]

Thank you so much just got enough for a pack and wasn’t sure how to do this

[@honestinsincerity2270]

Yeah one thing that's not apparent is it's not the wire that really makes the difference. It's the fact that he has a hobby balance charger. If you were to plug that same wire up to just a regular 4.2V (or 12V) power source, it's not gonna balance charge the pack. Just FYI for anyone not sure the difference here is his charger. Otherwise good video though.

[@bmzaron713]

I totally don't understand your method for soldering the wires.. You say not to solder directly onto the battery terminal yet only 1 out of the 5 wires at 5:32 are soldered this way, with the other 4 soldered directly onto the battery terminals.

[@debohannan4315]

I put quality bms with Bluetooth on my batteries so I can watch them balance themselves and see the quality of the cells

[@toddcoye8856]

Positive negative...Negative Negative Negative ??? HUH? that was confusing and unexplained...Got it...Thanks

[@wlondoner]

So what happens to the 0v cells. Did they get balanced to 4.2v???

[@thieninh7215]

So! The charging boxes are similar to BMS. Lol! Also, removing the battery from the unit costs more money and time.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Decent explanation of balance charging vs. employing a BMS to handle that, and much more. For me, the bottom line is: If you care about your battery, use a quality BMS. The only reason I can see for NOT using s BMS on a non-hobby application (solar storage, etc.) is foolhardy frugality. Much, much too risky for me.

[@cjoakman7715]

The charger he is using acts as the BMS. There are MANY chargers similar to his that do the same. And I assume you are aware that even a "quality" BMS can fail, so what then? I've been making 12 and 18v packs like Tommy for almost 10 years, charging them the same way and have never had one blow up or fail in a crazy way. And they last 3-5 years using them daily in my drill, sawzall, circular saw, etc.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

@@cjoakman7715 First of all, a comment to a 2 year old post? Really? Secondly, you're just plain wrong. The balance charger doesn't "act as the BMS." Again, this video demonstrates the use of a *balance* charger. As a professional battery designer/builder, I stand by my original comment. The balance charger in this video provides over-voltage protection. That's it! It doesn't provide any other protections that a *quality* BMS provides. For instance, on the charging side, low temperature and/or over-current. Unprotected battery packs are just that, *unprotected*, and discharging without protection is recklessly foolhardy. Over-current and under-voltage protections are every bit as important as over-voltage and over-current. Yes, BMS's do represent a point of failure. However, in my experience, they reliably provide all the stated protections. I've never had a BMS fail. I have, however, had BMS's save multiple packs from dangerous conditions on multiple occasions. Additionally, those equipped with Bluetooth provide real-time information on battery condition. This, in and of itself, is worth the cost. There's a difference between *misinformation* and *disinformation.* As you claim to be an experienced builder, I'll label your comment as dangerous disinformation as you're knowingly encouraging inadvisable behaviors. Here's hoping your luck never runs out.

[@QuebecoisSti]

I am looking for a BMS for my custom Li-Po 48s4p battery pack. The pack consist of 32 packs total (6s1p each, 100C output max). Each pack have his own balance plugs, I have the connector for them. My idea is to get an ajustable direct DC power supply (0-250V/0-20A or maybe more), hook it up to the pack with BMS attached to charge it, Would it be safe and works ?

[@NeverSuspects]

You should get a external balance charger like the one in the video and just a bms for overcharge and over discharge protection. BMS are not chargers they are protection circuits, charging with a dc voltage with that many cells in series seems kind of like asking for a disaster lol... maybe try using a boost converter to step up the voltage from a lower voltage more realistic pack.

[@QuebecoisSti]

I already have a PowerLab 8x2 but can only do 12 packs at once. I wish to do the whole pack as one. My second idea was to use the Y-Harness of the balance plugs to the balance board to do parallel charging but it seems I need to hook up the output wire as well otherwise the balance connector fried up...

[@meomeoloudnam5148]

The charger itself has balance charging function right?

[@shikhakhaneja6242]

the battery box of metal and plastic dont required ventilation ?? when i saw their construction its looking like a closed box my query is that if it is a closed box then during the time of cell charging and discharging where heat is dissipating ??

[@Todd_G_FPV]

How do u determine when to stop discharging on whatever u use these on? Do u run a lipo alarm or do u hope the controller your using will stop them for u?

[@ZainalYoutuber]

Can you make video with bms motorcyle battery

[@warlockboyburns]

how many charge cycles would a battery pack have if you just charge it with a dc charger?

[@mashedpotatoes5323]

If there are cells in series charging it without a bms is a pretty risky idea as it could cause the batteries to become unbalanced and get overcharged, if it's just one battery in series and the output is 4.2 volts or under and the current isn't too high for the type of battery you are charging it might be okay if you unplug it once it's done charging. There isn't a exact answer to your question but it definitely won't be good to do that and it's pretty easy and cheap to just get a cc cv boost/buck converter and a bms if needed so it would be kinda silly to improperly charge something that has about 1/4th the energy density of tnt...

[@lucascatoire1820]

So could you tell me the easiest way to charge a henzhen nalon battery co. LTD liion battery product mode LN-AWK-07 normal voltage 46.8v normal capacity 10.5Ah limited charging voltage 54.6v

[@cameraman1234567890]

I feel much safer recharging using a smart balance charger vs going through a BMS especially for like 100+ Amps for my application, plus its just really expensive for 200A 22.2V BMS’s and I would need 4 of them

[@user-sf9mh1ms4q]

How about battery pack with both BMS battery protection and JXT-XH balance connector. BMS is so cheap and helps protect the battery. Thanks for the effort in sharing.

[@bobravenscraft5376]

That's silly why use BMS at all hobby chargers put you in control period

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Just check. Every couple times BMS fail they are for people that don't want responsibility have faith in yourself

[@welcometomychannelswelcome7261]

If I don't have a management changing system do I still can change batteries with regular charger? What about parallel and series changing?

[@TommyCallaway]

You can but it's pretty easy to get batteries out of balance. When you do "Quick charge" on regular lipo chargers, they don't utilize the BMS

[@pernia07]

I have a question regarding the wiring, the batteries are connected in series? and the wires you have solder in is for making them a parallel? could you add the wiring schematic so i can understand better

[@milvolts1]

Hey Tommy, I was hoping you could give me your input on this 18650 build I'm trying out, it goes something like this: Hopefully you can give your input: 3 packs of 24 18650 cells in parallel then wired in series to=12v@ 60ah(1- 100 amp 3s BMS added to pack) and another, 3 packs of 24 18650 cells in parallel. Then wired in series to =12v@ 60ah(1- 100 amp 3s BMS added to pack). Then Connected together in parallel, to make it a total of 120ah battery at 12volts? I really would appreciate some of your feedback. Do you think it's possible to achieve this? Not sure if I would have to in corporate diodes. Or would it be good enough on their own?

[@hoofheartedicemelted296]

Mr Callaway. Is it possible to charge batteries dc ( lithium ion ) with the power generated by a turbine or solar panels. What would I interface the batteries with ie; generator, alternator etc?

[@silasyount1785]

a freaking solar charge controller! omg!

[@hoofheartedicemelted296]

@@silasyount1785 After looking through your music playlist. Your outburst makes perfect sense now. I'll speak with you after you've powdered your nose miss.

[@silasyount1785]

@hoofheartedicemelted296 Thats kinda strange, but Im flattered you're so infatuated with me. You ask the straight up stupid question. You asked how to interface a solar panel with a battery? like bro is called a charger. You're going to get all butt hurt over my smart-ass "OMG" and an exclamation point you're in for a rough ride. man up, stop crying, and go buy a 30amp Solar Charge Controller 12/24 V Solar panel regulator with adjustable LCD Display Dual USB Port Timer Setting on Amazonn for 12 dollars

[@koladeleben]

Awesome video I love that studio setup by the way. Sound is very very pure.

[@FPVPortugal]

Hi, I would like to make a 2S or 3S pack with protected li ion18650 cells, do i need to put a balance plug on it since the protected cells do not exceed charge above 4,2V or discharge below 2.75V?

[@TommyCallaway]

Yes, you'll get a bigger charge on your batteries if you balance charge - otherwise the whole pack will stop charging once the first cell hits 4.2v.

[@FPVPortugal]

Tommy Callaway thank you, I thought that when a cell reached its maximum the circuit of this cell cut the charge to it but the current normally followed to the other cells.

[@milvolts1]

what do you think I can use to charge an 18650 4S 50ah battery pack with solar? Thanks

[@ramudu4410]

I need a 3s3p battery with more than 35c rating will it work sir

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

Congrats on a video that got 300K views, especially for the amount of mistakes made.

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks, this video was 6 years ago and I have learned quite a bit since then. Hundreds of comments have pointed out my mistakes over the years!

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

@@TommyCallaway One funny thing I have noticed on my YT videos, you do something no one else can do (EX 3.8 million rpm, Taz devil, etc) and you get zero views, I test a stupid bad esc and I get ~30K views, lmao, that video was only to get a replacement from hobby king, not even made for public.

[@1faulk]

What if you have a battery pack that has more than the 6 wires how can you balance charge those?

[@chinnamangu]

Can I use for rc model plane

[@dav24x]

Best video simple explanation thank you

[@thomaseidst3170]

Can you please make a video where you Can charge a 14 s 6p without bms :) much love from norway ❤️

[@DavidJJJ]

Your balance charger will do what a bms does, except without other types of protection, it's basically a 'poor mans bms'. How are you going to ensure under voltage or over voltage like a BMS does? You also mention that the BMS doesn't always charge your batteries fully however your banggood thing only charged to 4.1v, that's not fully charged! The other thing to mention is that you should never ever create lithium packs with batteries of different charge voltage which you have done, otherwise you can cause the over volt batteries to dump current into the under volt ones in parallel, basically ruining a good 18650. I would also ask, have you ever had a BMS fail? And if not, what evidence do you have of them failing? I want more reasons not to use a BMS since the ones you gave are not convincing at all.

[@TommyCallaway]

+David Hancock you can customize the voltages this charger thing charges to. 4.1v is the preset. Also, I understand there is a fair amount of debate from BMSers and anti-BMSers. I'm not here to tell you you shouldn't use one - I'm showing you how to safely charge a battery without one.

[@DavidJJJ]

Well, you said they're problematic, one of the reasons being that if one cell is over voltage, it thinks all of them are, which is not strictly true in your use case, since all cells in parallel will maintain the same voltage. I've just heard a few anti-bmsers say stuff with no concrete evidence, jgarceua did the same thing, saying 'they can fail so you shouldn't use them'. You didn't specifically say not to use a BMS, granted, but your reasons that they are problematic don't add up.

[@TommyCallaway]

+David Hancock gotcha. I should have specified I was referring to the relatively cheap BMSs you can get from China. The very high quality ones are likely to never fail and offer a lot of good protection. My own use case was crafting cheap as possible high performance batteries. Thanks for watching and adding value to the topic!

[@freetrailer4poor]

Charging to 4.1 instead of 4.2 will double the life of the batteries.

[@nerfinator03]

pirucreek I wanted to say that

[@n1kkri]

Is there a charger with multiple single cell charging ports with clips so if you wanted to charge each cell individual you could. As each cell reaches the target voltage charging would stop.

[@welcometomychannelswelcome7261]

Do you realize that lion battery is fake ones

[@charlesabram7257]

Man you are crrrrrazzzyyy, lol good job bro keep it up.

[@chovansatiroen4264]

Thanks for the balance wiring info, now i got it!

[@chovansatiroen4264]

Lol Franken Stein plasma sword

[@jacobsstuff1234]

Is it 1 postive and how much ever negatives I was thought it was all the positives and 1 negative or does it not matter or diesnit b cone down to the charger you use I have the imax b6.

[@milestone_achiever4634]

Hi . I reside in New York. I have some 18650 cells. I need someone to help me make an ebike battery. Where do you reside?

[@stanstolarski8325]

What is a BMS ? Not familiar with the term. Thanks !!!

[@masterzz57]

Battery management system.

[@mirkowaechter]

How does for example my robot vacuum charge the lithium ion battery with only two cables coming out of the battery? Just with the easy way that damages the battery as described in the beginning of the video?

[@mirkowaechter]

The battery seems to have its own bms

[@ericanderson8556]

Can you set the maximum charge voltage to 4v?

[@CharlesNolanArt]

How many ppl here can afford that huge charger. Yes, that is a good way but what if you don't have that monster charger? I think we would benefit more from how to do it without that charger. Thanks

[@southern_merican]

4:36, thank you

[@Xantylon74]

3:10 it is a german socket.

[@ssamad1994]

it works in most European and African countries

[@antoniogalluccio4213]

Ok this can avoid the overcharge, but what about an overdischarge.. the cells do not have to go below 3 Volts right?

[@Lilanddad]

This dudes a plasma sword swallower