Electronic – Charging li-ion batteries with protection circuit

batteriesbattery-chargingdclithium ion

If i'm using a protection circuit like this one:

http://www.batteryspace.com/pcbfor148vli-ionbatterypack5alimitwithfuelguagesocket.aspx

and 4, 3.7v li-ion batteries.

Can I use a simple 16.8v dc wall wart to charge them?

or do I still need a special li-ion battery charger, and if so what is the purpose of the circuit?

Best Answer

That board doesn't provide any recharge facilities, so yes you should still use a proper Li-Ion charger with it.

The purpose of that board is to protect the batteries in case of "error".

It will:

  • Shut off the batteries when their voltage gets too low.
  • Shut off the batteries if the current draw exceeds 4-6A (short circuit).
  • Provide an estimation of the charge left in the batteries ("fuel gauge")
  • Prevent "over-charging" of the batteries (too high a voltage placed across them)

Two of those (over voltage / short circuit) could cause the batteries to explode, the under-voltage can cause the batteries to become useless and unable to be charged.

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