48V Li-ion Battery Pack Configurations
A 48V Li-ion battery pack can be built with different series-parallel arrangements to accommodate the required capacity and installation layout. In a typical 13S design, thirteen cell groups establish the pack voltage. Adding cells in parallel increases capacity, although the final discharge capability also depends on the selected cells, interconnections and protection system.
For OEM projects, both 18650 and 21700 cylindrical cells can be considered.
48V Battery Capacity Options: 10Ah to 30Ah
Capacity selection affects the amount of energy available, the number of cells required and the physical size of the pack.
A 48V 20Ah lithium ion battery pack, for example, may be suitable for equipment requiring more energy than a smaller 10Ah configuration. A 48V 30Ah lithium ion battery pack provides additional nominal capacity, but also requires careful consideration of pack dimensions, weight and mounting.
The following arrangements illustrate common 13S design possibilities.
Reference 13S Battery Configurations
These figures describe reference cell arrangements calculated using 3.7V nominal cells. Actual electrical ratings, physical dimensions and production availability depend on the selected components and final pack specification.
| Cell Type | Cell Arrangement | Example Cell Capacity | Pack Capacity | Nominal Voltage | Nominal Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18650 | 13S4P | 2,500mAh | 10Ah | 48.1V | 481Wh |
| 18650 | 13S4P | 3,000mAh | 12Ah | 48.1V | 577.2Wh |
| 21700 | 13S4P | 5,000mAh | 20Ah | 48.1V | 962Wh |
| 21700 | 13S6P | 5,000mAh | 30Ah | 48.1V | 1,443Wh |
Choosing Between 18650 and 21700 Cells
A 48V 18650 battery pack offers a range of possible cell arrangements for different equipment layouts. 21700 cells have larger dimensions and may offer higher capacity per cell, depending on the model. This can change the number of parallel cells required to reach the intended capacity.
The better option is not determined by cell size alone. Current rating, cell availability, total pack weight, available space and assembly requirements all influence the selection.