Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: RAAArtyGunner on November 27, 2016, 09:59:44 pm

Title: Charging, Parallel or series
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on November 27, 2016, 09:59:44 pm

Due to the make up of battery packs, (NiMh), you have no choice but to series charge these batteries.

However, where you have individual cells that fit into a 'battery" box, example, as in Radio Control transmitter and receiver, is it better to charge the batteries in series or parallel.

With modern "smart" chargers, it is possible to charge all of the batteries together, from the transmitter and receiver in series.

So does it make any difference whether they are charged in series or parallel????
Title: Re: Charging, Parallel or series
Post by: malcolmfrary on November 28, 2016, 09:13:10 am
If they are to be used in series, charge them that way.  They all get the same current fed into them, hopefully they all end up with the same charge.  About all that you can check afterwards is the individual cell voltage, which should be the same.
Charging in parallel offers the chance that they will all have the same voltage at the end of charge.  There might be a bit of excitement when they are first connected as they sort out their average voltage. 
Having the same terminal voltage does not, in either case, ensure that all of them will have the same charge. Due to manufacturing variations, there will always be some cells that are fractionally better or worse than others.  The least good will always determine the overall potential for power storage and/or delivery of the pack.
Title: Re: Charging, Parallel or series
Post by: RAAArtyGunner on November 28, 2016, 11:09:20 am
Malcolm,

Thank you.

Yes, they will be used in series so will follow the advice and charge them in series.

 :-)) :-)) :-))