Li-ion DIY safety guide
DIY lithium packs can catch fire: check cells for shorts before welding, always add a BMS, never skip insulation and fusing on high-current builds.
Before welding
- Use matched, healthy cells; never mix old and new.
- Work on an insulated surface; remove rings and watches.
While welding
- Two points per tab, needles perpendicular, no dragging.
- Stop if a cell heats up or a weld sparks excessively.
After
- Always add a BMS; insulate positives with barley paper.
- Charge the first cycle supervised.