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Battery Pack Configurations

Battery pack configurations can be designed with several options, some of which are determined by the chemistry, cell type, desired voltage and capacity, and dimensional space constraints. The basic explanation is how the battery cells are physically connected in series and parallel to achieve the desired power of the pack.

The physical layout of the configurations is typically designed to fit within a desired dimensional space. Pure nickel buss material (and spot welding to assemble) is the most common interconnect method. However, when a design requires high pack amperage, the buss material becomes another critical factor for the design.

There are an infinite variety of battery pack combinations. Below we have outlined the most popular for cylindrical cells.

Linear or F Type

Note that the straps will both come off the top when there are an even number of cells, and one off the top, the other off the bottom when there is an odd number of cells..

Linear or F Type Battery Pack Configuration

With a connector and heat shrink wrap they look like this:

Linear Custom Battery Pack

Multi-Row Cells

There are two ways to start packing them. One could be called the cubic, and the other face centered cubic, or nested.

Multi Row Battery Cells

Cubic packing is in neat rows. The size of such a pack is nD x mD x H, where n is the number of cells in a row, m is the number of rows, D is the cell diameter, and H is the cell height.

Another example of cubic or composite F Type configured in multiple rows

Cubic or Composite F Type Battery Pack Configuration

Photo of completed multiple row configured cells battery pack below:

Custom Battery Pack

Nested Type Cells

Nested configurations follow the same connection principles using the same nickel tab material to achieve the design. This type of configuration is typically supported with outer shrink wrap to give the cells additional support. The exposed ends of the cells are typically protected with fish paper.

Some nested deigns are even potted to support the cells and protect the completed battery for overall integrity.

Either method is acceptable and should be considered for best handling practices and protection for the battery during transit.

Nested Custom Battery Pack Configuration

Photo of custom nested cell pack below:

Nested Battery Pack Configuration

Face centered Cubic

Face Centered Cubic Battery Configuration

Face centered cubic packing is nested to take up less room. Calculating the size takes a little geometry.

Face Centered Cubic Battery Configuration

Circular Type Cells

Circular configurations are common and used in many applications. Again, following the same tab welding principles, can be stacked for more capacity, and typically shrink wrapped to support the cells.

For a 3-cell pack, you can put the cells in a tube:

Circular Battery Cell Configuration

For a four-cell pack in a circular tube:

Circular Battery Cell Configuration

The diameter of the circumscribing circle is 2.41 D.

For example, with AA cells the diameter is 14.2 mm, so three would fit into a tube 30.7 mm in diameter, and four would fit in a tube 34.22 mm in diameter. You will want to expand this slightly to account for up to 0.5 mm variation in cell diameters.

Linear or L-Type Cells

Example of a stack of cells configured end to end below:

End to End Battery Pack Configuration

These are typically constructed by standing two cells side by side and welding a nickel strip across the terminals. The cells are configured end-to-end by bending the nickel strip in a "U" shape. Overall pack dimensions will need to allow a thickness increase of 1/2 to 1 mm per junction for this to accommodate the folded nickel tab.

Photo of completed linear configured battery pack below:

End to End Battery Pack Configuration

Some construction views to show how the battery packs are fully assembled

Battery Pack Construction

Unsure Of the Battery Configuration You Need?

Optimize your energy solutions with our custom-configured battery packs. From linear to circular configurations, our design team can help you meet your specific needs.

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