for my Cyclone trike, I've put a pack together:
4 x 3 (yes,three)-cell 5Ah lipo for 11.1 volts nominal at 20 Ah in series with another identical pack.
Is this better than using 2 in series (22.2 volts nominal at 5Ah) in parallel with 3 more identical packs?
My reason for this is to get a dirt-cheap 'graceful fail' mode for my trike.
Or does anyone have better ideas?
In theory It is best to parallel packs, then connect them in series.
u have 8 lipo packs (which will be made from 3s1p cells themselves), its best to parallel them into sets of 4 like you say uve done
Then put two of these blocks in series.
If you did it the other way (i.e. make 4 strings of 2) then parallel these strings you will not have as much instinctive balancing.
Thats because in the first config you have virtual 20amhr blocks, which helps average out any pack differences)
I would be interested to hear how you get on. I gave up with my Lipo packs when they shorted out and caught fire, however they did give a good C discharge rating for the week I had them!
I understand: Parallel first; amps first, then volts. Handle with care.
Thanks!
I'm a bleeding-heart liberal. Deal with it.