Tag: 18650

Malahit DSP2 – 2 x 18650 with BMS guide

By 15 September 2021 DIY, Malahit DSP2 0 Comments

The Malahit DSP2 has no internal protection, because the current is very low. I installed a BMS for a protection, because i want to protect the Malahit DSP2 for defective 18650 cells. Even if you want to make a mod with 2 18650 cells, it´s would be a good idea.

The Malahit DSP1 / DSP2 is using the TP4056 charging controller, with this specifications:

  • charging current: 0,9 A
  • input voltage: 4,5 V – 5,5 V
  • charging end voltage: 4,2 V

You can charge 2 x 18650 cells in parallel conenction with this controller, but i takes twice as long as before.

What are the features of a BMS?

  • overcharge charge voltage protection (for Li-Ion mostly 4,25 V with + – 0,05 V)
  • undercharge voltage protection (for Li-Ion mostly 2,5 V)
  • maximum continuous current (more MOS, more current)
  • overcurrent detection (short circuit too)
  • reverse protection
  • and some more

Which kind of BMS do you need?

You need a BMS with the specifications:

  • 1S (for parallel connection)
  • For Li-Ion (only with that, the BMS have the correct overcharge, undercharge, etc. specifications)
  • Current with 2 A is more than enough for the Malahit DSP1 / DSP2

What kind of 2 x 18650 cell holder do you need?

You need a cell holder with this specifications:

  • Use a cell holder, which is not much longer and heigher, than the 18650 cell. All cell holders on the pictures are ok from the size for the Malahit DSP2
  • Use a parallel cell holder, both cells must be in the same direction. A seriell cell holder have two diffrent directions of the cells, like the holder in the middle. The cell holders on the left and right must be soldered parallel first, because they have no connections between the cells.
  • No soldering flags outside at the bottom and at the side. For the cell holder left and right, you have to shorten the soldering flags on the bottom, that they can´t reach the Malahit case

1S BMS soldering diagram

Here you can see a diagram of a standard 1S BMS for a Li-Ion cell:

  • B+ / B- to the 18650 cell or cells
  • P+ / P- to the cable of the Malahit DSP2

How to install the BMS in the Malahit DSP2

This is a 2 x 18650 cell holder (a 1 x 18650 cell holder is possible too), with a simple 1S BMS. The BMS can be glued with the other side to the holder.

Pay attention to the soldering flags that stick out at the bottom and sides of some battery holders. If they can be connected to the case of the Malahit, you have to shorten them before. If the cells are shorten with the case, only the BMS can safe you from degasing,

The battery holder has no connections between the cells, this is the reason why i used 2 wires from each site to the B- / B+ sodlering flags. Most holders have only 1 wire, because they hab connections between the cells already soldered.

  • B+ / B- to the 18650 cell or cells
  • P+ / P- to the cable of the Malahit DSP2

Top view without connection to Malahit:

Another view from the top, glued with a tape and connection wires soldered to the Malahit DSP2:

Take care that the sides of the cell holder have no connection to the case. The easy solution is to use isolation tape, but i glued it with epoxy before.

I had to move the speaker to the left and set the cell holder so near it is possible to the speaker. Another solution can be, to glue the cell holder horizontally in the case.

I is a good idea to isolate the contacts on the BMS. Simle with isolation tape or use Epoxy. I used both, but forget to make pictures of the epoxy.

If you use 2 x 18650 cells

At first: The TP4056 charging controller of the Malahit can charge 2 x 18650 cells at the same time, if you use them parallel. But if you want to use 2 x 18650 cells, you have to know some thing.

  • Only use parallel connection (if you use a seriell connection, the voltage adds up with every cell and whith that, the Malahit DSP1 / DSP2 is not compatible)
  • Only use cells from the same type, if the cell have to much difference, it can be dangerous
  • If you want to be on the safe side, measure the internal resistance of the cells and using 2 cells, with almost the same internal resistance

At the first time of use, charge the two cells to the end, before you put them in the cell holder (if not the balancing current can be very high and harms the cells or the Malahit)

Where to buy the parts?

I use the smaller 2 x 18650 cell holder and the 5A 1S Li-Ion BMS:

Malahit DSP2 – Mods which are in work

By 14 August 2021 DIY, Malahit DSP2 10 Comments

Currently I am working on some mods for the Malahit DSP2. But before I recommend something concrete, I would like to do tests with different variant to really find the best components.

Bluetooth

In the moment i make some tests with Bluetooth boards. The left one is working from 3v to 5,5v and is perfect for the 18650 cell. The little right one has the lesses interferences.

Here you can buy it

BNC Socket

I found a very good BNC socket, which is only a bit bigger than the SMA socket. The other BNC jacks I’ve had were extremely large in circumference, which would have meant that the hole for the jack would no longer stay on one side of the Malahit DSP2’s case. The new socket solves the problem and is still high quality.

Only the hole for the socket must be a little bit bigger. With the U.FL port the rest is no problem and plug and play.

Here you can buy it, the item on the right: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005001950793102.html

SMA Sockets

I make some test with other SMA to U.FL connectors. Some of them are making much interferences. The right one is the best one. All have the same diameter and can fit into the SMA socket hole of the Malahit DSP2.

BMS and 2 x 18650 cells

At the moment i test some 18650 cell holder and BMS. I already use a external BMS and 2 x 18650 cells in my Malahit DSP2. Also there are many cell holder ons the market. Some of them can fit protected 18650 cells and some of them not.

Here is the guide how to do the mod and how to buy: http://mini-whip.de/2021/09/15/malahit-dsp2-bms-install-uide/

U.FL Sockets

At some time i thought my U.FL socket is broken. But than i found, that the U.FL port on the SMA cable was broken. If the U.FL bushing does not survive the experiments, I can replace it.

When i finished, i create guides for all of the mods.

Malahit DSP2 – What is the best 18650 battery?

By 6 August 2021 Malahit DSP2 0 Comments

The Malahit DSP1 / Malahit DSP2 no built in protection for the 18650 cell, because the current is very low. But the charging controller is good (TP4056) and it comes with some protection features.

TP4056 specifications:

  • charging current: 0,9 A
  • input voltage 4,5 V – 5,5 V
  • charging end voltage: 4,2 V

Some informations about 18650 batterys

18650 cells are a bit dangerous. There are many fakes in circulation and even if you buy from a trusted dealer, you may not get an original. The fakes are often removed from old batteries, for example, from old laptop batteries.

In the worst case, such a battery can degas. Fortunately, the case has holes for the sound, so the case does not explode. But this can cause fire to escape or simply damage the malahit.

How to get a good cell?

  • Buy from a big seller (In Germany https://www.akkuteile.de) or at your local Vape Shop
  • If the cell has a capacity of more than 3800 mah, this is technically not possible and the cell is a fake

The Malahit has such a low consumption that any 18650 battery is compatible. You can only deal with the following properties:

  • Manufacturer: The best are Panasonic / Sanyo, Sony / Murata, Samsung, LG
  • Capacity: Use a Cell with more than 3000 mah (but not more than 3800 mah, this cells are fake)
  • Protected or unprotected: Proteced cells can be to high for the Malahit cell holder (Measure the high before, perhaps there are diffrent cell holders in the Malahits)
  • Flat Top, high, solde tags: Flat top cells are best for the cell holder of the Malahit
  • Li-Ion and not LiFePO4 (LiFePO4 has a diffrent voltage range)

18650 cells that i can recommend:

  • Panasonic / Sanyo cells like: NCR18650B, NCR18650GA (Some other manufacturer are using this cells, like Keenpower)
  • Sony Konion / Murata cells like: US18650VTC6

Conclusion

I think we have some options to use for the best setup for all of us.

The easy way:

  • buy a NCR18650B, NCR18650GA cell, flat top and unprotected

Little effort with more protection:

  • find a protected cell which can fit in the cell holder of the Malahit
  • you can change the cell holder to a bigger one

The best way in my opinion with most protection:

  • buy a NCR18650B, NCR18650GA cell, flat top and unprotected
  • use a external BMS

Why a external BMS?

A external BMS can protect the 18650 cell and the Malahit hardware. A external BMS is very cheap and with 4 soldering points, easy to implement. The BMS are very smal and can fit on the cell holder.

Features of a external BMS

  • overcharge voltage protection (for Li-Ion mostly 4,25 V with + – 0,05 V)
  • undercharge voltage protection (for Li-Ion mostly 2,5 V)
  • maximum continuous current (more MOS, more current)
  • overcurrent detection (short circuit too)
  • reverse protection
  • and some more

Examples of external BMS

On the picture can you see diffrent types of BMS. They all have the same features, but diffrent maximum current protection from 2A to 8A. The BMS must be 1S for Li-Ion batterys. The BMS must be in the middle of the Malahit and the 18650 cell.

1S BMS have 4 soldering points:

  • 2 x for the battery + and –
  • 2 x for the consumer (Malahit) + and – cable

Here you can see some examples:

  • Malahit with Panasonic NCR18650B cell
  • LG cell with a BMS on top, here you can see that it takes more space (If you buy a proctected cell, the sleeve is over all and you can see the BMS)
  • Some external BMS (More MOS, more current)

In the next days i make a guide how to use a external BMS and how to use 2 x 18650 cell in the Malahit DSP2.