Is there interest in a parallel charging station for use w/ quality RC chargers?

[cullen_colapietro]

Hello All,

I’m pretty new here, but in by no means am I new to batteries and battery technology. I’ve been heavy into RC helicopters for about 3 years and currently manage several sets of LiPo batteries (some costing upwards of $200 for 1 flight pack).

In my recent endeavor into flashlights, I’ve been happy to find that my ichargers have a LiIon charging mode that works well. What I have not found is a solution for charging multiple LiIon cells quickly.

In the RC world, it’s quite common to parallel charge upwards of 6 6s batteries at a time. I frequently charge batteries at up to 30A @24V.

What I want to know, is if there is any interest in a docking station where one could charge, say, 4 18650 or 4X 26650 cells in parallel at a time? I have a few design ideas in my head and a very good friend w/ a plastic molding business. I want to design a docking station that would accept multiple cells and then just hook up to a hobby grade charger via banana plugs. I can’t find this product on the market and that is why I ask. If you have questions about charging cells in parallel, please ask as it is a safe way to charge up multiple cells at once.

Thanks in advance.

Cullen

[tatasal]

I also have an iCharger. So far I balance-charge up to 3 18650 cells only (in series) because I only have 3S balancing wire connectors (taken from a lipo 3S batt pack) that you plug at the balance-mode chargers side. I don’t have a good docking station for either series or parallel charging connection. I use magnets. I’m also interested in what you’re looking for.

[cullen_colapietro]

Gvood to hear, if I can drum up enough interest, I may persue this.

[ezarc]

I have a Turnigy Accucel-6 charger for my RC cars since before I got in to flashlights.

To me it wasnt worth “stuffing around” so I picked up one of these for $10.

I don’t use 14500s or 18650s anymore and have turned to AA only flashlights and bought a MAHA C9000 and lots of LSD eneloops, evoltas and turnigys.

[tatasal]

@RecycledElectrons

I have wondered about building myself a series balance charging setup, which would let me plug in any kind of cell, from a 10440 to a 32700…like the chargers use.It would accept any number of cells, from 1 to 6 (6s is the maximum my charger accepts.) The concept is to plug in any number of any size of cells (as long as they are the same kind of cells, in roughly the same state of charge) and this board will facilitate any common hobby-charger / balance-charger in charging many cells at once. That way, I can buy one of these to facilitate over-night or while-I’m-at-work charging instead of having to swap them out, one at a time. My charger has different connectors for 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s, but I don’t know how they are really wired. If the board just had x2 banana plugs, plus a single 6s balance connector, it might be useful.

How would it need to be wired to allow 1 cell or 6s charging, or anything in between? Would there be a switch? Does it blow up if I put in batteries while the switch is in the wrong position?

I avoid parallel charging. I prefer to buy extra hobby chargers.

I wonder if a more expensive model could include voltage displays for every cell, and red/green LEDs for charging and discharging status. The problem with his is cost. I would never pay for one, even it if were possible. Maybe there could be spots to clip on voltage displays?

I’d better quit typing and go to bed, before I ask for a $500 charging accessory.

You would need this:

Balance Charge 2 to 12 (Any Li-Ion Type) With Magnets Simultaneously--Check This Out! | Candle Power Flashlight Forum!

[cullen_colapietro]

The best way to accommodate different capacity cells is to parallel charge and in fact, it’s safer to parallel charge vs charge in series. If you have a 500 and a 5000mah cell in parallel, as long as the voltages are close to the same when inserting into a docking station, then all is good. The larger cell will receive most of the current while the small cell receives less current and the voltages should stay relatively the same throughout the charging process.

My idea for a solution would be a plastic molded accessory w/ tabs and springs to accept 4 cells. These 4 cell charging stations could even be linked in parallel and you could theoretically charge as many cells at a time as you want, as long as they are all 3.7V LiOn cells. One station would attach through banana plugs to the charger and voila!

This would be a super cheap charging dock for charging multiple LiOn cells in parallel. No screens, no high cost, nothing like that. Just a way to charge multiple cells at once.