🚀 go-pugleaf

You should be able to get more current from parallel batteries, but there
are some problems with connecting them in parallel.  When charging them
in parallel, the characteristic of the cells during the charging cycle
can cause some problems, and might potentially lead to a run-away current
condition.  This is not likely to happen unless the cells are in different
conditions.  If one cell is weaker than another, the stronger one could
be trying to charge the weaker one, and can potentially overcharge it if
the weaker one is too weak.

Off the production line, capacities of cells can vary by plus or minus
as much as 5%.  Between different batches this might be more.  So it is
not easy to avoid the problem.

Within a cell, all the chemical surfaces can be thought of as many cells
in parallel.  However they are likely to be fairly uniform.

I have used Nicads in parallel before, but this was under conditions of
full and equal charge.  I've never charged them in parallel.

--Phil Howard, KA9WGN-- | Individual CHOICE is fundamental to a free society
<phil@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> | no matter what the particular issue is all about.