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(Full disclosure: I'm a newbie.)

I'm trying to measure my 4S lipo's cell voltages using an Arduino Mega. I know that I should use a voltage divider (actually, several of them) and I think I understand how it works. I also know about the voltage difference relative to GND would increase by up to 4.2V for each cell, and at 4th cell, it can be over 16V so I should be safely dividing it down to max 5V. However, I'm confused with what resistance values should I use for the divider(s). Wouldn't a low resistance value mean effectively shorting the lipo? Would a too high resistance value cause incorrect readings? In this context, what is a "low" resistance value and what is a "high" resistance value? Or are all resistors already way above that limit and I can use them safely? I've got all types of resistors from 47R to 1M, but I don't know what to use.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Make it small enough to not be influenced by the measurements devices input impedance, make it large enough to not draw too much current. \$\endgroup\$
    – PlasmaHH
    Aug 17, 2015 at 14:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @PlasmaHH how do I determine that? e.g. is 1K okay, or is 470K okay? \$\endgroup\$
    – Can Poyrazoğlu
    Aug 17, 2015 at 14:22
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    \$\begingroup\$ Without looking up the data sheet - if you don't mind needing to disconnect it when not in use - ie on the load side of the on/off switch or break plug, then a total of 10k-20k range will be very safe. If Full scale is say 20V then you want a 4:1 divider to 5V so 3R:R so say 15k Bat to ARduino and 4k& Arduino to ground. You could use a pot for part of that OR adjust in software or trim with parallel resistors. || Odds are you can go to 50k or even 100k and be not too inaccurate but lower is better. Arduino uP will have an ADC Rinmax spec somewhere. At 20 V and 10 =bits = 1024:1 divide you... \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Aug 17, 2015 at 16:04
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    \$\begingroup\$ ... get about 20 mV per bit so accuracy of about 0.1V allows 1+ bits of error. Error is caused both by Verror = Rin x (Ibias + Ioffset) PLUS by time constant issues where input c takes time to charge and if R is too large the cap will not be charged enough by next ADC samople time. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Aug 17, 2015 at 16:07
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    \$\begingroup\$ ... You also can use an opamp buffer that can tolerate very high Rin. At say 1M the drain usually does not matter over usual time periods. || (Past bed time in NZ . 4:15am and I have to be up at 8:15 so ... TTFN). \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Aug 17, 2015 at 16:16

1 Answer 1

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Wouldn't a low resistance value mean effectively shorting the lipo? Would a too high resistance value cause incorrect readings?

You are absolutely correct so, some people use a low value potential divider (in order to obtain decent accuracy) but disconnect this potential divider from the LiPo when not requiring a measurement. In effect, the low duty cycle measurement dramatically increases the effective resistance of the potential divider.

You can disconnect the potential divider with a P channel MOSFET and a BJT - the BJT is activated from a spare IO line. I'm not saying this suits your application of course.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks, I think it would be an overkill, but I've got the idea. I don't have a MOSFET but I've got many simple NPN transistors, I think I can use them too in order to get the same effect. Lastly, if I don't do it and go straight, what would be a good resistance value? \$\endgroup\$
    – Can Poyrazoğlu
    Aug 17, 2015 at 15:10
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    \$\begingroup\$ You need to check the data sheet of the Arduino, specifically the ADC input - it may be high impedance buffered allowing you to have circa 100k resistor values OR it might specify something like the maximum source impedance to achieve a certain accuracy. ADC input pin bias currents are also very relevant to this too. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Aug 18, 2015 at 7:02
  • \$\begingroup\$ Okay, I'll be looking into that, thanks for the detailed explanation. \$\endgroup\$
    – Can Poyrazoğlu
    Aug 18, 2015 at 10:12

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