Introduction: Hackable Battery

By overclocked2300.googlepages.com/
About: I have an associates degree in electronics engineering, But Im going to go for my Bach, and then my Masters. Currently thinking of going for a Mech. Engineering Degree too.

*Disclaimer: This contains Li-On Batteries, they can be dangerous but so are power tools. Please Respect Electronic and their wonderful nature, as Im not held responsible if you do something stupid*

First and foremost, I didnt make it, however I did want to share it will the community, because to me, this Battery Ive found seems to be VERY hackable for other purposes. Heres the Specs:

Input Voltage: 15-24V DC 2.5A Max
Output Voltage:12-24V DC 4A 70W Max
Specs on the box say its 52Wh
Max output is 72W.
Operating time:4hrs depending on load
Charge time: 3 to 8 hrs.
Weighs in around 418g

I found it on walmart.com (where else!) For around 8 bucks. I figured, Hey, This has to be useful in something else other than what it was designed for. Its originally for laptops but given the Input/Output voltage and Other specs I couldnt resist from buying it. My initial thought was that it would contain NiMh batteries, But today when I looked on the back, it says it contains Li-On Cells. Hmmmm. This is Begging to be hacked. 

On to the photos. I couldnt keep my hands off this thing. I knew there was a way inside, but how? Not surprisingly I test fitted it to my netbooks power supply and it doesnt fit. Gee what a surprise (sarcasm).

Photos 1 and 2 Show the outside of it.

3rd photo shows just a peek of the inside as I was opening it up..and a peek to what was hidden. Lithium Batteries you say? I found it interesting..

4th Photo is self Explanatory. Hmm Li-On batteries made by samsung. A quick search on the web brought me here (clicky). 2400mAH. The Cells are wired in Series-Parallel. Im gonna guess its something like 4800mAH per Dual Cell @ 11.1V total. Dont Forget, that voltage is boosted even higher...

5th and 6th photo show me trying to get a look at the underside of things, trying to determine Where that Input Connector Goes. Sucks that I have no charger to put the adapters that come with. Hack on My Friend, hack On .

Last photo shows the whole thing, as it fell out of the package. Opps. No cells where harmed in the making of this Slide Show.

This is quite wonderful. My mind is alight with Ideas on what to do and how to Improve it. The Fets are epoxied to a piece of Aluminum. Improvement there? You bet. Arctic Silver my Fellow hackers. I feel at some point it probably would have overheated. Im actually thinking of replacing the whole boost converter circuit, with something..Smaller and who needs 4 Amps of current anyway? Im sure 1amp would be enough (in terms of output-The board doesnt look as if it has anything to do with charging, but I could be wrong).

The most amazing thing I find about this is that the input voltage is Pretty much exactly the same as what a Solar Panel Puts out to charge a 12V Battery. Free, Cheap Energy Anyone? Again, the whole thing cost a bit under 10 bucks (including shipping). Could I have found Li-On Batteries for the same Price? Maybe, but with integrated Charger and Boost Converter? Nope.

Oh I wont Link the product here, It is probably considered spam :)

Update: I soldered on some wires to the bottom of the charging port and it works! Of course now I find that I have a spare tip that will fit the thing, so I didnt have to go through the trouble of soldering. Oh well. Also, 2 of the 6 cells gets Hot, well warm. Around 35C warm.