Question 1

How do I find the best 18650 cell arrangement?

Accepted Answer

Enter your holder grid size and how many cells you want in series (S) and parallel (P). Cell Arranger searches many contiguous group layouts and ranks the ones with the most nickel-strip contact between consecutive series groups, which gives the lowest interconnect resistance and smallest voltage drop.

Question 2

What does a configuration like 14S6P mean?

Accepted Answer

S is the number of series groups, which sets the pack voltage. P is the number of cells in parallel per group, which sets capacity and current. 14S6P means 14 groups of 6 parallel cells, for 84 cells total.

Question 3

Why does cell arrangement affect battery pack resistance?

Accepted Answer

Consecutive series groups are joined by nickel strips welded wherever cells of the two groups physically touch. More touching cells means more parallel nickel bridges, which lowers the interconnect resistance and reduces voltage drop and heat under load.

Question 4

Does Cell Arranger support hexagonal cell holders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both square-grid and hexagonal (offset) cell packing are supported, and the optimizer accounts for the different neighbor adjacency in each.

Question 5

Can I view the battery pack in 3D?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A 3D view shows realistic blue cells with positive and negative terminals and the welded nickel strips, including the series welds alternating between the top and bottom of the pack.

Question 6

Is Cell Arranger free and which cells does it work with?

Accepted Answer

It is completely free and runs entirely in your browser. It works for any cylindrical lithium cell placed in a grid holder, including 18650, 21700 and 26650.