SX 350 J Mod Build Question

[Steamer861]

I want to build SX350J mod, have a few questions.
Can you run 2 batteries in parallel on the SX350J, for 60 watt mode to get longer battery life?
What is the primary function of the 9 volt balancing board? Is the balancing board a necessity?
Will the 2 batteries in parallel still charge correctly via usb charge port with out it?
Thanks in advance for any help

 

[drmarble]

I think you need the balance board if you want to run the batteries in series for 150 watts. It is needed to charge series batteries with a floating voltage in between the cells. If the batteries are parallel there should be no problem using the usb charge port. Parallel batteries just work like single batteries with double capacity and double maximum current, until one cell starts going bad. You can use the built in usb port or an external usb charging chip. Yihi doesn't recommend using the port for charging but only for updating the software. Sounds kind of silly to me but a busted port would eliminate any software upgrades.

 

[Steamer861]

Thanks drmarble I don't think I will ever use the usb port to charge but it's nice to know I can.
Now it makes sense to me why they bill the balancing board for the 100 watt SX350 or the J, they both use batteries in series
Thanks Again