3s2p, combining 2 cell types to handle current bursts?

marka-ee

100 W
Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
173
This isn't for my bike, but for my fixed wing drone. I want to replace it's old factory 3S lipo with some 18650's that I have already. The 'problem' is that the high current ones I have ( rated 22A discharge ) are kinda low on capacity : 2Ah. I also have some lower discharge capacity 18650's from a laptop pack.
My idea: use for each 2P one low and one high discharge cell. This way during take off when the craft uses it's mak 16 amps draw the high C cells could take the few second of drain and the rest of the flight which is about 5 amps the lower current capacity cells would be able to contribute to the requirements. The lower current cells are much higher in Ah, thereby helping in overall pack capacity. Would this work ? I'm thinking that during the 16 amp draw the pack would only sag to the voltage that the high amp cells would limit to and the low amp cells would not be damaged because of this. Thoughts ?
 
I see your thought process here but my advice is to just get ahold of some new cells that will work for your application. You want a 3s2P pack that can output 16 or so amps - that's only 8 amps per cell, max.

The Sanyo GA 3500mah cells have been a go-to for the RC community for a long time, given it's maxed out capacity and 10A per cell discharge. https://www.18650batterystore.com/collections/sanyo-18650-batteries/products/sanyo-ncr18650ga

I have little experience with EVE cells, but this is a budget-basement option that will almost certainly work better than some used laptop cells. https://www.18650batterystore.com/collections/eve-18650-batteries/products/eve-18650-33v

Using new batteries will do more to help you have fun with your model. Mixing cells may be kosher in larger format battery banks, but I forsee that low-discharge, high capacity cell getting hammered if you build the pack that you described.

Good luck, have fun, be safe.
 
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