Need Help with Understanding And Changing a Circuit Diagram

  • Thread starter Thread starter BillyBobJoeseph
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Circuit Diagram
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding and modifying a circuit diagram for charging batteries, specifically focusing on the feasibility of charging two lithium-ion batteries simultaneously. Participants explore various aspects of circuit design, voltage regulation, and safety considerations related to battery charging methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on how to charge two batteries at once using the same mechanism, expressing a lack of understanding of the circuit diagram provided.
  • Another participant points out that the provided diagram is incomplete for charging even one battery and asks for more details about the charging mechanism and battery types.
  • A participant mentions the need for voltage regulation and circuitry to charge two lithium-ion batteries of different voltages.
  • Several participants caution against charging lithium-ion batteries in parallel, especially when they have different voltages, due to safety concerns.
  • One participant suggests using two separate voltage regulators but is met with resistance, emphasizing the specific charging requirements of lithium-ion batteries.
  • Another participant stresses the importance of understanding lithium-ion charge balancing when attempting to charge multiple batteries.
  • Discussion includes the idea of using multiple energy sources (like solar panels) to charge a single battery, with considerations for voltage differences and circuit design.
  • One participant proposes using a master battery to buffer the variables from different charging sources, comparing it to how mains supply operates.
  • Another participant discusses the complexities of solar panel characteristics and suggests using a switch mode regulator for efficiency.
  • Several links to resources and articles are shared to provide further information on lithium-ion charging and energy harvesting solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and safety of charging multiple batteries simultaneously. There is no consensus on the best approach, with some advocating for caution and others exploring various circuit designs and methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful consideration of voltage differences, battery types, and charging methods. There are unresolved questions about the specific circuitry required for safely charging multiple batteries and the implications of using different energy sources.

BillyBobJoeseph
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
I am by NO means an electrical engineering student, so please explain it to me like I'm 5.
My friend sent me a circuit diagram and I don't know how it works/what it means, but basically I want to know if it's possible to charge 2 batteries at once instead of 1, using the same mechanism. If so, how would I?
Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • I have no idea.png
    I have no idea.png
    4.5 KB · Views: 480
Engineering news on Phys.org
It's not even a complete diagram for charging 1 battery, much less 2.

What do you plan to connect as the "charging mechanism"?
What kind of batteries?
Is this a stand alone charger or do you have to charge while supplying power.

Describe a bit more about what you are actually trying to accomplish.
 
Well, I'm trying to learn some circuit 101 here that applies to my project.
Basically, what type of voltage regulation and circuitry would I have to incorporate to charge not only 1 battery, but two. Both would be lithium ion but of different voltages.
 
Charging batteries in parallel is not always a good idea and definitely not if they are different voltages. Lithium Ion are particularly fussy about the way they need to be charged. If you know as little as you claim then it could be dangerous for you to get involved. (That is not an overstatement.)
Charge one at a time or, preferably, use two different chargers which are suitable for each battery.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BillyBobJoeseph and berkeman
sophiecentaur said:
Charging batteries in parallel is not always a good idea and definitely not if they are different voltages. Lithium Ion are particularly fussy about the way they need to be charged. If you know as little as you claim then it could be dangerous for you to get involved. (That is not an overstatement.)
Charge one at a time or, preferably, use two different chargers which are suitable for each battery.

I see. Couldn't I just use two separate voltage regulators so that voltage isn't a problem?
 
BillyBobJoeseph said:
I see. Couldn't I just use two separate voltage regulators so that voltage isn't a problem?

no,
reread Sophiecentaur's second sentence ...
Lithium Ion are particularly fussy about the way they need to be charged.

which is why I posted the link to ideas, there were many other links on google
for Li-ion, Li-PO batteries, the voltage, current and timing of the charge all need to be considered :smile:

Dave
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BillyBobJoeseph
BillyBobJoeseph said:
two separate voltage regulators
A "Voltage Regulator" is NOT what you need, for charging Li (or many other types of) batteries. You can easily EXPLODE an Li battery if you don't treat it nicely.
What you are discussing, constitutes a dangerous practice. If you are not careful, the mods will close this thread. :))
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: NascentOxygen
  • #10
Understood.
 
  • #11
But don't be put off by that. There is loads to say about the different charging methods for the various battery technologies.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BillyBobJoeseph
  • #12
I was also wondering how multiple things could charge one battery (safely of course). Could I get some circuitry information on that too?
 
  • #13
BillyBobJoeseph said:
I was also wondering how multiple things could charge one battery (safely of course). Could I get some circuitry information on that too?
The way to approach this would be to use the different sources (wind, pedal, solar etc.) to combine in a single source - perhaps a large master-battery. That would buffer the variables in the source from the requirements of the battery to be charged. This is, of course, what the mains supply does all the time.
 
  • #14
sophiecentaur said:
The way to approach this would be to use the different sources (wind, pedal, solar etc.) to combine in a single source - perhaps a large master-battery. That would buffer the variables in the source from the requirements of the battery to be charged. This is, of course, what the mains supply does all the time.

What if I was using say, 3 solar panels and wanted to charge one large (lithium ion) battery? What circuitry would I need there? Each panel may gather different voltages, and I'm assuming as with before, Li-Ion are finicky so I'd need to do something different?
 
  • #15
Are you assuming the panels are nominally the same voltage and that one may begetting more sun than the others? The characteristics of solar panels are not as straightforward as you might be assuming. This link shows a typical V/I characteristic and you can see that there is a big range of voltages as the device starts to hit its current output limit. This, I think, would imply that you could connect more than one panel in parallel (with a reverse protection diode in series with each) and they would settle down into sharing the currents according to the illuminance. This would not be the most efficient solution though. If you wanted the most out of such a system, you would need a switch mode regulator in each circuit. Certainly not a beginner's project. If the panels were cheap enough, you could point each one around the ecliptic plane and get a high voltage out at all times of day. But I think that would be an expensive solution, even though panels are dropping in price.
 
  • #16
Google "li-ion energy harvest"
Contrary to what others say, there are lots of solutions to choose from
IC's for energy harvest:
http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4071

This article explains the technology area you are in:
http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1273070

This has pointers to reference documents:
http://www.ti.com/paramsearch/docs/parametricsearch.tsp?family=analog&familyId=3057&uiTemplateId=NODE_STRY_PGE_T

Here are some more references:
http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/...y-effectiveness-for-energy-harvesting-systems
http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/...ify-backup-power-in-energy-harvesting-designs
http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/...li-ion-battery-charging-for-energy-harvesting

One solution is to simply buy a board that charges LI-ion batteries from solar panels.
http://www.adafruit.com/products/390?gclid=CPL40bKiyMcCFYU5aQodb7wLGw (needs a 6V panel though)
 

Similar threads

Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K