This is a companion topic for our recent blog post on blog.unmanned.tech
Joshua Bardwell has taken a leap into the world of DIY battery building, specifically crafting an 18650 lithium-ion pack. Now, don’t expect it to be flawless; it’s all part of the adventure. He starts by confessing that he’s no battery expert and promptly reminds us of the importance of safety—because mishandling these little powerhouses can lead to rather unpleasant outcomes, like fire or explosions. A bit of a downer, but worth mentioning.
When designing the battery pack, Joshua highlights three essential specs: voltage, capacity (mAh), and C rating. For his needs, he opts for a 4S2P configuration, which means four cells in series and two in parallel—resulting in a rather respectable capacity of 6000mAh. He deliberates between 18650 and the larger 21700 cells, eventually settling on the former for their pocket-friendly size.
Joshua guides us through the assembly, using superglue and a 3D-printed jig to keep things stable. He also introduces nickel strips for connections and ceramic-tipped tools to avoid shorts. After a thorough spot-welding session, he wraps up with Kapton tape for added insulation, leaving viewers with the wisdom that building your own battery pack is as much about trial and error as it is about sparks and superglue.
For more details and to witness Joshua’s journey, do check out the accompanying video here:
Read the full post over at: