How to Wire a Charge Plug of a 3-Cell LiPo Battery

Use a soldering iron to wire the charge plug of a LiPo battery.

Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are durable and light, and each LiPo cell produces 3.7 volts, compared to 1.2 volts for NiCad or NiMH battery cells. These attributes mean LiPo batteries are the battery of choice for remote-control enthusiasts. A three-cell LiPo battery produces 11.1 volts, perfect for model airplanes and many notebooks. To connect your battery to your device, you need to wire a charge plug, which is available at electrical parts stores for a few dollars. Just be sure that you buy a charge plug that is compatible with the charge socket on your device.

Things You'll Need

• Charge plug
• Wire strippers
• Small knife
• Soldering iron
• Solder

Instructions

1. Remove 1/4 inch of plastic coating off the end of the two wires from the three-cell LiPo battery pack using a small knife or wire strippers. One wire is red, the other is black. Removing the plastic exposes the inner metal wire.

2. Turn on the soldering iron and let it get to operating temperature. Touch the soldering iron on the exposed red wire and introduce the solder. Let the solder melt and coat the wire. Remove the soldering iron and the solder. Allow the wire to cool. Repeat the process for the black wire. Put your soldering iron safely to one side; you will need it again shortly.

3. Unscrew the cover from the charge plug. Slide the cover over the red and black wires. Make sure the threaded end faces the end of the wires. Look at the charge plug and find the two terminals. One is labeled with a "+" sign, the other with a "-" sign

4. Place the red wire on the "+" terminal of the charge plug. Touch the wire and terminal with the soldering iron. Let the solder melt, then remove the soldering iron. The wire and the terminal will fuse together as the solder cools. Repeat the process for the black wire by soldering it on the "-" terminal. Turn off the soldering iron. Let the charge jack cool.

5. Slide the cover down the wires and screw the cover on the charge plug. Insert the charge plug in your device's charge socket.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your device to the electrical parts store so you can get the charge plug and the socket matched correctly.

References

• Hooked On RC Airplanes: Fundamentals of LiPo Battery Packs
• Phone Scoop: 2.5mm Headset Jack
• Word IQ: Phone Jack Definition
• Laptop Shop: Tip Packs for AC Laptop Adapters