# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/multi-battery-packs.md

# Li-Ion & LiPoly Batteries

## Multi-battery Packs

You may eventually find yourself needing a big battery, say because your project has twice as many LEDs or you want it to last twice as long. A lot of people think "well I know that if you parallel two batteries that doubles the capacity so I'll do that!"

For example, we could take two 1300mAh batteries, that are 3.7V nominal and connect them together in parallel…

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/996/medium800/components_batpar.gif?1447976662)

Info: 

Not only should you not do this with alkaline batteries, but its especially dangerous with lithium batteries. One battery can discharge into another, damaging it or causing a fire!

If you ever need a larger battery, you should upgrade to a larger battery! Like this one which is twice the size and has twice the capacity.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/997/medium800/components_2600.gif?1447976671)

You may be asking then,&nbsp; **How come adafruit sells battery packs that are paralleled?**

These two packs are clearly two and three batteries. Since they are 3.7V they must be in parallel. Isnt this unsafe?

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/998/medium800/components_bigpacks.jpg?1396767671)

The answer is that these batteries are assembled by a company that is experienced and certified to test and assemble battery packs. The individual batteries are tested and sorted by machine so that each pack has matching batteries with the same capacity and internal resistance. Individuals do not have this equipment, which is why you should not try to make your own packs.

So the next question is whether you can connect batteries in series to get higher voltages?

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/999/medium800/components_batser.gif?1447976680)

This is also discouraged because the battery wont be able to be charged in a balanced manner. You should purchase a lithium ion pack that is preassembled.- [Previous Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/cell-phone-and-camcorder-batteries.md)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/li-ion-and-lipoly-batteries/proper-charging.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger

[Adafruit Micro Lipo - USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1304)
Oh so adorable, this is the tiniest little lipo charger, so handy you can keep it any project box! Its also easy to use. Simply plug in the gold plated contacts into any USB port and a 3.7V/4.2V lithium polymer or lithium ion rechargeable battery into the JST plug on the other end. There are...

In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1304/guides)
### USB LiIon/LiPoly charger

[USB LiIon/LiPoly charger](https://www.adafruit.com/product/259)
This is a Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer battery charger based on the [MCP73833](http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en027785). It uses a USB mini-B for connection to any computer or 'USB wall adapter'. Charging is performed in three stages: first a...

In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/259/guides)
### USB/DC  Lithium Polymer battery charger 5-12V

[USB/DC  Lithium Polymer battery charger 5-12V](https://www.adafruit.com/product/280)
Charge your single-cell lithium ion/polymer battery any which way you like with this board. Have a USB connection? No problem, just plug into the miniUSB connector. Only have a wall adapter? Any standard 2.1mm DC adapter which puts out 5 to 12VDC will work fine. If both are plugged in, the...

No Longer Stocked
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/280/guides)
### Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 6600mAh

[Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 6600mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/353)
Need a massive battery for your project? This lithium-ion pack is made of 3 balanced 2200mAh cells for a total of 6600mA capacity! The cells are connected in parallel and spot-welded to a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection.

Each cell...

In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/353/guides)
### Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 4400mAh

[Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 3.7V 4400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/354)
Need a big battery for your project? This lithium-ion pack is made of 2 balanced 2200mAh cells for a total of 4400mA capacity! The cells are connected in parallel and spot-welded to a protection circuit that provides over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection.

Each cell can...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/354)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/354/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 2500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/328)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **2500mAh** for a total of about 10 Wh. If you need a smaller battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/328/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 1200mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/258)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 1200mAh for a total of about 4.5 Wh. If you need a larger battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/258/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh

[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, <a...></a...>

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)

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