Battery Charging BMS

How do you charge a battery with a BMS?

Attach charger (+) to battery (+) terminal. Plug charger (-) into P- on BMS –– not B-. Why? B- monitors battery voltage. P- handles charge/discharge paths. Constant Current (CC): Start at 0.5C (e.g., 2.5A for 5Ah 18650s). Constant Voltage (CV): 4.2V × cell count (e.g., 16.8V 4S).

Can You charge 18650 batteries with a BMS?

You’ll learn to charge 18650 battery packs with a BMS like a pro––even if you’re using salvaged cells or budget AliExpress modules. I’ll cover tested setups, voltage tweaks for cell longevity, and critical safety protocols. Lithium-ion cells (like your 18650s) are divas. Overcharge them by 0.1V? They puff up. Deep-discharge? Permanent damage.

Is a BMS a charger?

Both are capable of protecting and balancing the batteries. A BMS is not a charger. You need a proper charging circuit that carries out two step CC/CV charging and shuts off when the battery is full, otherwise you may overcharge them and that can be extremely catastrophic. @Dan You need, as said already, a charger.

Do I need a battery management system (BMS)?

You’ll surely need a BMS if you’re concerned about the safety of your battery charging and discharging setup. Along with this, you’ll need a way to determine whether each of your batteries or battery packs are already fully charged or about to be drained.