Li-ion charger suggestion

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

I am working on a project that uses, 1024 of RGB leds using ws2812b driver. I want to package the entire thing into a single product.

I am thinking of using 4x Samsung 18650 li ion batteries in parallel. I am desperately in need for a charging solution. I have used

TP4056-lithium-Battery Charger

They work all right when I am charging single battery, but when I want to charge 4 of the batteries in parallel, then the charger along with the batteries heat up. I am afraid to continue after that.

I want the charger to be inside the packaging so that I don't need to remove the batteries to charge them. Please help me out!

Thanks!

2

Check out Adafruit's selection of USB 18650 Li-Ion chargers.

3

Well, they don't have anything in particular. They do have a charging board that runs off the usb and supplies 1 A of charging current. The problem with using 4x18650 li ion batteries is that they require 4x1A current else they warm up. I am hoping for an off the shelf solution here

Thanks!

4

The batteries heat up if you dont give them enough charge current ?

5

deathlock:
Well, they don't have anything in particular. They do have a charging board that runs off the usb and supplies 1 A of charging current. The problem with using 4x18650 li ion batteries is that they require 4x1A current else they warm up. I am hoping for an off the shelf solution here

Thanks!

I'm doubting the batteries get warm if the charging current is less than there maximum. Not to mention the maximum charge rate without thermal monitoring or protection on the batteries themselves, should be limited to 0.20-0.25C (or for a 1Amp-Hr Li battery cell, 0.20-0.25Amps charging current per cell).

I have used the Powerboost 1000C for battery packs from 1 to 6 cells without heating or other problems on either the battery or the charging module. Adafruit offers a help forum, I suggest you post this question there and allow they support pros to reply.

I know of three sources: TP4056, other unbranded non-TP4056 chargers (but just a limited and not any better), and the designs from Adafruit. Perhaps someone else knows of another source. I have asked this question in the past and these were the responses, so I doubt the answer will change.

Maybe someone else

6

Before you connect Lithium-Ion batteries in parallel you MUST make sure they are all at the same voltage. Otherwise high currents will flow between them.

...R

7

Robin2:
Before you connect Lithium-Ion batteries in parallel you MUST make sure they are all at the same voltage. Otherwise high currents will flow between them.

...R

And it is not suggested to make your our multicell Li-Ion battery pack. The professionally available battery packs are made of cells of matched performance. Read through the Adafruit Powerboost 1000C website, I found lots of good material and information related to the do's and don'ts for Li-Ion cells and charging.