How to connect batteries in series and parallel. Simply explained .

May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 Olusola

Battery cells connected in series

A series connection of batteries is achieved when the negative terminal of one battery cell is connected to the positive terminal of another battery cell. 2 or more battery cells can be connected this way. An example of application of series connection of batteries is in the use of a touch light. Typically 2 batteries are connected in series for the touch light to come on.

In a series connection of batteries, voltage increases while current stays constant.

For example let’s say 2 battery cells are rated 1.5 V and 1A each and the cells are connected in series. Then the combined voltage for the series connection becomes 1.5V + 1.5V = 3V but the current remains 1A.

Using the previous cell ratings, an electrical appliance that needs 6 volts to come on will require 4 battery cell connection in series

Battery cells connected in parallel.

A parallel connection of batteries is achieved when the positive terminal of one battery cell is connected to the positive terminal of another battery cell. The same is done to the negative terminals of the battery cells.

In a parallel battery connection, voltage stays constant but current increases.

For example let’s say 2 battery cells are rated 1.5V and 1A each. If the batteries are connected in parallel then their combined ratings are 1.5V and (1A +1A) = 2A

Application of series and parallel connection of battery cells

A very good knowledge of series and parallel connection of battery cells enables the development of battery packs with with different voltage ratings and capacities.

Types of Lithium Batteries

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 Olusola

There are many types of lithium batteries. The 3 most common types of commercially available ones will be briefly discussed. They are;

Lithium ion (Li-ion)

Lithium Polymer (RC Lipo)

Lithium Iron Phosphate (Life PO4)

Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries

These are the most common types used in consumer electronics like laptops, cell phones, power tools etc. They have the highest energy to weight ratios. These batteries are relatively safe, they won’t just burst into fire. They have long cycle lives. The shortest is about 300 discharge circles, and can reach as high as 1000 discharge circles. The most common workable form is the 18650 cylindrical cell ( 18mm dia. & 65mm height). They have nominal voltage of around 3.7V and a discharge-charge voltage range of 2.5V- 4.2V.

Lithium Polymer (RC Lipo) Batteries

These batteries can provide high discharge rates for long periods of time. They are used for equipment that require high discharge rates such as Remote control led drones, helicopters, cars, planes etc. These batteries are very cheap, cheaper than a typical lithium ion and life PO4 battery. They have very short cycle lives, about 200 recharge discharge cycles. They have a lower discharge – charge range of about 3V – 3.7V. They are very volatile and can easily burst into flames if not carefully handled.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO4)

LifePO4 battery cells are heavier and less energy dense than most lithium ion cells.

These batteries have the longest cycle life of all the common lithium battery cell types.

They have a nominal voltage of about 3.2 V per cell and discharge- charge voltage of 2.5V- 3.65V. The Best applications for LifePO4 cells are projects that require long cycle lives and high safety.

General information in Lithium batteries

Lithium battery cells when fully charged can read up to 4.2V and at its discharged state reads 2.5V. Lithium battery cells discharged below 2.5 V will cause irreparable damage to the cell. This is why Lithium batteries are fitted with a battery management system, BMS. The main function of BMS is to ensure that the battery is properly charged as well as to prevent overcharging and over discharging.

8 reasons to build your own PC

May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 Olusola

Buy the exact parts you need to build your PC. When shopping for pre-built PCs in the market, finding the one that exactly suits you can be very hard.

Buying the PC components yourself and putting them together to make your PC is usually cheaper than a pre-built one of the same kind. You can also take advantage of deals when shopping for PC components.

You will be satisfied that you are really getting what you need for your business.

Building your computer yourself will help you understand how your PC works and rightly troubleshoot when necessary.

If you are really committed to building your PC you can spread the cost. That is, buying the components one by one until you get everything needed to build. You don’t have to borrow money.

Many prebuilt PCs come with software/Operating systems you don’t need or prefer. When you build your own PC, you install the software and the preferred operating system you need.

Better cooling for your PC is easily achieved by the careful choice of a PC case. You have a variety of PC cases to choose from. Some cases even come with multiple cooling fans That will better cool the processors making your PC work efficiently and last longer.

Its fun and a worthwhile experience when you build your own PC.

Forms of Lithium Batteries

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 Olusola

Lithium batteries have been available since the 1970s. Technological advances in Lithium battery research have made it the most sought after now. Lithium batteries have a high energy to weight ratio, over 1000 discharge cycles and fast recharging. These batteries are used in mobile phones, security gadgets, drones, electric cars and so on.

Composition of a typical lithium battery cell.

A lithium battery is composed of 4 parts namely;

Cathode: (+ terminal). It is a lithium compound mixed with other materials.

Anode: (+negative terminal). It is a graphite material.

Electrolyte: An organic compound containing lithium salts to transfer lithium ions.

Porous separator: Allows lithium ions to pass through itself but separating the cathode and anode.

Form of Lithium batteries

Pouch: These forms of lithium batteries look like thin foil bags. They have two terminals at an edge of the porch. They are lightweight and cheap to produce. They are used to power cell phones and some types of laptops.

Prismatic: these are similar to pouch in form but more robust. The battery cells are placed in rigid rectangular cases. They have threaded terminals which makes building of larger batteries easier. They are used in high energy storage devices such as electric vehicles and home use.

Cylindrical: These forms of lithium batteries look like the AA batteries we use in our touch lights and remote controls. However the cylindrical lithium battery form is much larger than a typical AA battery in size. Unlike pouch and prismatic forms of lithium batteries, the sizes of cylindrical lithium batteries are standardized. The most commonly used cylindrical battery size is the 18650 cell. The 18650 cell means that the Lithium battery cell is 18mm in diameter and 65 mm long. There are other standard sizes too like the 14500 cell ( 14mm dia & 50mm length) and the 26650 cell( 26mm dia & 65 mm length). Cylindrical lithium battery cells are used in laptops, power banks, electric cars, solar system and so on.

Liverpool and Real Madrid into Final of Champions League Final

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Olusola

*Liverpool vs Real Madrid. Final UEFA Champions League*

It’s Liverpool Vs Real Madrid in the Champions League Final 2021/ 2022 edition.

It was not easy for both teams in the semis.

Liverpool, who thought they had one foot in the final after their first leg win over Villarreal by 2-0 at Anfield got a run for their money after Villarreal levelled up in the first half of the second leg. But just as it happened in the first leg when the scores were still 0-0 at the end of the first half, Villarreal again capitulated in the second half and allowed Liverpool to score 3 goals giving Liverpool a 5-2 win on aggregate. Jurgen Klopp was a relieved man after the game, he knew at a point in the game ,they were almost knocked out.

Real Madrid are getting better and better. Just like their comeback win against Chelsea in the quarters, they also came back to beat inform Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate. Karim Benzema is the joker for Real Madrid. In the quarter final, he scored a hat trick against Chelsea and nailed Chelsea’s coffin with the deciding goal via a penalty in extra time. The same happened with Man City. Manchester City were winning 5-3 on aggregate by the 73rd minute, However Real Madrid Levelled up and once again Karim Benzema nailed City’s coffin with a penalty goal in extra time to win 6-5 on aggregate.

Real Madrid, the 13 time winners, are the favorites to lift the trophy. Liverpool will have to be at their very best and take care of Benzema to stand a chance.

How to make Pop Corn at Home

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Olusola

Making your own popcorn at home is fast and easy. All you need is corn grains ( that can pop), butter or vegetable oil, sugar and a cooking pot that has a thick base.

Make sure you purchase popcorn grains. Not all corn grains are suitable for popcorn.

Procedure for making popcorn

Put butter the size of a teaspoon into the cooking pot ,place it on a cooker and melt on medium heat.

Next, put in some popcorn grains and use a spoon to mix with the melted butter.

Cover the pot and wait for all the corn grains to pop.

Switch off the cooker, open the pot cover and add sugar to the popcorn and stir gently.

Popcorn is ready to be served.

Further Notes on making popcorn

Make sure you cover the pot while corn is looking otherwise the popcorn will fall to the ground.

Use low to medium heat to cook your popcorn otherwise it might get burnt.

After all the corn has popped, switch off the cooker before adding sugar and mixing with the popcorn. Otherwise the sugar will melt and then burn giving your popcorn a burnt taste.

Don’t put too many corn grains in the pot. The amount of grains you put should barely cover the base of the cooking pot

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