Cell board mistakes

Ways you will blow up your cell boards

Li-Ion cells pack a lot of energy, and can instantaneously damage cell boards that are connected to them incorrectly. Work in peace and quiet and stay focused: not paying attention is the first reason that will make you do something that damages cell boards. These are some of the ways you will destroy cell boards:

	NO This will blow up a cell board	YES This is how to do it
Connecting the cell board backwards (exchanging B- and B+)
Not disconnecting the battery from EVERYTHING else: if still connected, the cell board will make the last connection and blow up Pay particular attention to disconnect the charger and any DC-DC converters from the battery This video explains why that is.
Connecting the cell board to 2 cells in series (~8 V) or more
Connecting the cell boards to each other in the wrong direction (connecting the orange wire of one cell board to the gary wire of the more negative cell board)
Placing a switch, fuse, connector or safety disconnect within a bank Use two separate banks, one on one side of the switch, fuse, connector or safety disconnect, one on the other side of it
Not letting the BMS control the charger, and allowing the cell to charge to the point that its voltage is > 7 V (The cell will be damaged as well.)
Not letting the BMS control the load, and allowing the cell to discharge to the point that its voltage is < 0 V (The cell will be damaged as well.)
Connection to a capacitive load without precharge Explanation
	NO This will blow up a cell board	YES This is how to do it

Also: Allowing the communication wire (orange wire) flap about, and touch another cell's terminal.

On the other side, rest assured that ESD (electrostatic "zapping") does not damage boards: they can handle body electrical build-up just fine.

You WILL make mistakes, and destroy cell boards: so have some spares handy.