Guys, I have an idea to install two 5000Mah batteries inside UConsole instead of two 18650. I’ve found this battery on Aliexpress https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005008299182248.html?sku_id=12000044538707858. I think I can stack two batteries vertically and connect them in parallel. If it will not fit in the case I can simply reprint my case with more vertical space.
My question is how to connect them to the board? I have an AIO v2 board with NVMe extension, and there is a connection port. Should I solder batteries wires together (plus to plus and minus to minus) and connect it to the existing port OR solder each battery to the 18650 solder points on the board? My concern with the last option is that the batteries will be charged unbalanced.
I too am doing this just waiting on the parts I will be using a adapter to connect x2 10,000Mah for testing .
Adapter I just found this on AliExpress:
Graphics Card Fan Cable GPU PH2.0 Mini 2/3/4Pin To 2 Way CPU 2/3/4Pin PWM Fan Connector Cable Lead Y Splitter Split Two Fan Line
Battery I just found this on AliExpress:
9858102 High Capacity 10000mah 3.7V Battery+PCB Protection Board Rechargeable Flat Battery Laptop Batteries Power Bank
The second option the adapter will plug directly into the battery connectors using the splitter. This is a test so not sure its gonna work or not but I will post my results here.
Batteries in parallel self balance, which is why it’s important to have both batteries in the same state of charge when first connected together. Because if they’re not large currents will flow between the batteries.
So before you connect the batteries together you should fully charge both of them individually
Best way is charge both one at a time in uconsole once both fully charged they can both be connected this is what I will test. The test will be with x2 10,000Mah batteries.
Tested, 2x5000mah can provide 31.5 Whr. Less than what I expected lol. That was under a constant medium load.
With extra low load (e.g., screen off, nothing running), it reached 33.4whr. Not bad but not impressive either. However I noticed that the shutoff voltage is higher this time, it gave up at 3.38v. Although, the axp228 is still surviving, it’s the system that’s giving up.
I’ve experienced this too since getting a CM5. The CM5 needs more power, so my system shuts off at even a high charge percentage because as the voltage dips the batteries can’t deliver the current needed to sustain function. I’m using some Panasonic cells. I’m thinking if I order four cheap cells, put two of them in the battery tray, and then duct tape two more on each side of my uConsole and wire those two in parallel into the connector above the tray, the current should be split roughly evenly (wire current drop being negligible at that distance) and the batteries should last until they go down to the controller’s minimum voltage. Though, this is a pretty hacky solution, even for me.
I think with my current cells I get about 12Wh, which is pretty dismal at a 5W idle. Even doubling that is only 4-5 hours of use. Six or eight cells would be pretty good. But then where on Earth do I put them?
