Can I charge batteries without rmoving them from my robot

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1

Hello,
My robot is starting to take shape, but now I’m wondering about charging the batteries. At the moment it runs four motor, each with it’s own pack of 4 3.7V 18650 batteries. Removing 16 batteries and charging them is getting old.

I’m sure there is a way I can charge them while inside the robot. Initially I’m happy to just plug the robot in, but eventually I would like to make something similar to a Roomba charging station.

I haven’t been able to find much information online anywhere yet. Can someone please point me in the right direction for the relevant knowledge and hardware?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

Hi Alan,

Unfortunately there is not an easy solution to this problem. Lipo cells need to be carefully monitored (electrically) while they are charging, and so need to be charged individually, or at least have each cell monitored while charging in a balancing charger. I suggest moving up to single large Lipo battery pack with an associated charger. Lipo battery packs that we carry would not be able to deliver enough current for your motors in any configuration other than what you have.