2 Lipo Batteries, 2 Lipo Charger Plus in series. How to?

[osheal]

For my project, I have 2 4V Lipo Batteries in series with a 5V regulator (detailed in BatteryBoard.png). I would also like to charge these batteries with a Lipo Charge Plus. I have tried connecting the batteries in series using the + and - on the lipo charger board. However, at the end of my circuit I only get 4V instead of 8, indicating that the batteries are somehow in series. I am assuming that it has to do with the grounding. I have also tried connecting the batteries in series before the lipo charger making it only necessary to have 1 Lipo Charger and I got a readout of 8V (1Charge.png). But this setup does not allow me to charge the batteries because the maximum regulated output voltage for the lipo charger plus is 4.232 V and with the batteries in series it would be too much for the microcontroller on the lipo charge plus.

Is there any way that I can put these batteries in series for my circuit as well as charge them?

I would really like to have the original design but I do not know how to make it so that the batteries are not in series.

[TS-Russell]

How many V/A do you need? 5v?

If you only need 5v get one of these https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14411

[osheal]

I do only need 5V but the only batteries I have are 3.7V. So I put them together in series for ~8V and then regulate that down to 5V

[jremington]

It would be MUCH easier to connect the batteries in parallel and use a step up (boost) regulator for the 5V. Pololu has the best selection.

The LiPo charger can charge batteries in parallel, so you need only one.

[YellowDog]

TS-Russel’s solution is what you need. Jremmington’s suggestion to parallel the batteries will double your run time. Those two together get you the 5 vols you need and a way to charge the batteries.

[osheal]

Thank you so much for the responses! I never knew something like the Lipo Charger/Booster existed. This will definitely simplify my project and provide me with the voltage I need