BaconButtie
New member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2017
- Messages
- 22
Having just acquireda large number of used Dell laptop batteries (154 in total) I was left with an even larger number of 18650 cells to charge and test, in excessof 900 cells.
As I only have a Nitecore D4 for charging and an Opus BT-C3100 to charge/discharge the cells, I started looking at a way to charge a greater number of cells. As money is a bit tight I was seeking the cheapest way possible.
I found these on Banggoodhttps://www.banggood.com/DIY-Digital-8-Section-18650-Dual-USB-LED-Power-Bank-Case-Shell-Kit-p-1177621.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CN
I liked these as they could charge 8 cells and had dual input to charge at 2amps and for under 5 each wasa bargain.
Then I thought of how I could power them without using 4 USB chargers...... As I mess aboutwith computers I thought that a PC ATX power supply has a 5v output so one was ordered from eBayfor 10.
I then stumbled across this whilst looking for a pinout schematic of the PSUhttp://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/ATX_Breakout_Board Only 14 including an acrylic case.
Lashed it all together and hey presto, an 18 cell 2a charging station. If it works ok, which is seems to after charging 18 cells with itthen testing them on the opus it looks like all cells are charging properly. I may order another 4 of the cell holders to give it a 48 cell capacity as the PC PSU has a max of 15a on the 5 v rail so have enough grunt to power all the chargers.
As I only have a Nitecore D4 for charging and an Opus BT-C3100 to charge/discharge the cells, I started looking at a way to charge a greater number of cells. As money is a bit tight I was seeking the cheapest way possible.
I found these on Banggoodhttps://www.banggood.com/DIY-Digital-8-Section-18650-Dual-USB-LED-Power-Bank-Case-Shell-Kit-p-1177621.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CN
I liked these as they could charge 8 cells and had dual input to charge at 2amps and for under 5 each wasa bargain.
Then I thought of how I could power them without using 4 USB chargers...... As I mess aboutwith computers I thought that a PC ATX power supply has a 5v output so one was ordered from eBayfor 10.
I then stumbled across this whilst looking for a pinout schematic of the PSUhttp://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/ATX_Breakout_Board Only 14 including an acrylic case.
Lashed it all together and hey presto, an 18 cell 2a charging station. If it works ok, which is seems to after charging 18 cells with itthen testing them on the opus it looks like all cells are charging properly. I may order another 4 of the cell holders to give it a 48 cell capacity as the PC PSU has a max of 15a on the 5 v rail so have enough grunt to power all the chargers.