When connecting a 500mAh 3.7V Lipo battery (PL 403048) into the battery in connector, the board begins to heat up in the central area and begins to smoke. What could be causing this?
Are you sure the polarity is correct?
Looking at online pictures, it looks like the polarity of the battery doesn’t match the polarity of the board. My guess is U1 and/or C2 were damaged by the reverse polarity.
/mike