Building a 18650 pack. Can someone guide me, or direct me to a tutorial?

ESK8 Electronics
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So, I’ve had my Samsung 18650 batteries for a while now, just waiting for the rest of my board parts to come, but thought why not build it now, so it’s ready when I get everything else. Problem is I don’t know how to build a pack. I’ve searched the forums, but don’t really see any in depth guides (I could be looking in the wrong place, or be completely blind). I was talking to @barajabali about the configuration, and the materials and tools I need. He recommended a 10s4p, which is what I will be doing. I’m gonna pick up a soldering iron, 240V 60W. Will that be alright? I read somewhere I need a higher W or something like that. For my build, I have a Tacon Bigfoot 160 motor (245kv). I’ll need some wires and nickel strips (10mm recommended). Am I missing out on anything? Please do inform me if I am, I really have no idea how to.

Thanks in advance.

1 Like
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There are quite a few videos on youtube. Have a look at Damien Rene, and look at ebike school on the internet. You should get an 80-100w iron.

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I see, will have to find an iron of that W around me.

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home depot

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60w will do the trick

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A higher wattage iron will heat the cells up less and do the job quicker. Less damage to the cells.

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make sure u get the proper solder i literally just finished my pack a few minutes ago and without the right solder it will be a bitch

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http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Soldering-Iron-240V-80W.aspx?pid=17015#Recommendations

Would something like this do?

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A weller iron would probably work best but that one would be alright. Why aren’t you spot welding your batteries?

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yea but u could just go to home depot and pick one up

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probably the cost it gets expensive

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Don’t have access to one, unfortunately.

That solder should do though yes?

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yeah just be very careful and very quick to solder

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This is why I recommend at least a 240w and even better a 300w soldering gun. I don’t even like to solder 10-12 gauge wire with less. The higher the wattage the quicker you can make the bond and the less area is heated.

1 Like
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my experience with those cheap soldering pencils that plug straight into the wall is that they overheat and burn up their tip every time and become useless. A Weller solder gun will cost a bit more but it will be worth it. And they don’t burn up the tip.

2 Likes
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Damn, in the US. I live in Australia.

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Should be able to find one in oz Those wellers have been around a long time

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@Airmacx what configuration are you doing again? Can’t keep track these days. I will make you a diagram.

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Hm, well for my build I’m a bit confused. I was going to use Tacons motor which was 245kv,but was recommended not do 10s4p. But since I’ve been introduced to all the problems I could face with a higher kv motor, I’m going with enertions r-spec 3200W. Same thing 10s4p.

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The R-Spec 3200w sounds like a good choice for a single motor setup! With 10s it should provide plenty of power.