Building 18650 Battery packs

[Widdicombe]

I've built a few 18650 12v 3p battery packs. Now I'm trying to build a bigger pack for camping with solar. My question is can I double the 3p using 6 rows instead of 3 if I just double the rows. See picture. I know the amp will double in each row but the voltage should stay at a nominal 12V.

 

[John Frum]

If we are talking about a battery of 11.1 nominal volts I think you mean 3s, confirm?

 

[John Frum]

I know the amp will double in each row but the voltage should stay at a nominal 12V.

Sounds like 3s to me.

 

[dashdrum]

Back to your question, you can wire multiple sets of 3s sets in parallel to increase the amp-hours. It all depends on how you connect your rows of 6. The pack you picture could be configured as 3s16p.

 

[John Frum]

Back to your question, you can wire multiple sets of 3s sets in parallel to increase the amp-hours. It all depends on how you connect your rows of 6. The pack you picture could be configured as 3s16p.

I don't think I strayed from it. :|

 

[Widdicombe]

Yes, I wanted to run a 3S system with more battery power. I usually just make the pack longer but want to put it in a pre made battery pack so just wanted it wider to fit better. So it sounds like I can double the cells like I pictured and run it still as a 3S. What's the easiest way to figure out the amps before I build? I test each battery and I'm building with cells running between 2200-2400 milliamps. Thanks all for the input.

 

[John Frum]

cell milliamps hours * P = battery milliamp hours
battery milliamp hours * battery nominal voltage = battery watt hours