Easy charging of 2 cell lipo?

[smackaay]

I have a project that I'm working on and even though the project is finished the customer wants a charging port instead removing the batteries and charging them externally. I'm running 2 18650 lithium ion batteries and while I see lots of solutions for a single cell, I don't see much in the way for 2 cell charging. I was thinking that I could try using two single cell charging IC's but I have no idea how they're going to behave if I split the ground between the batteries, has anyone done this?
I've never used charging IC's so I have no idea what to expect. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[richcj10]

Works really well:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MCP73213-A6SI%2FMF/MCP73213-A6SI%2FMF-ND/2125537

I don't remember what cells I actually used this on but they where LG 26650 Li-Ion's and it did a good job.
I would make sure your cells are at the same voltage prior to installing into product. The cells should stay nicely balanced.

[smackaay]

Wow, that's perfect, thanks!

[Donziboy2]

I dont see any balancing on that IC at all?

[richcj10]

Your right, there is none. hence:

I would make sure your cells are at the same voltage prior to installing into product. The cells should stay nicely balanced.

The cells when discharged at a low rate would require no balancing.

[vlf3]

Lipo lithium ion batteries, are they that safe ! from what I have seen; or is the media hype causing concern. 

[richcj10]

It depends on how you use it. If you use it in a combat bot, then yes, you will need to balance. The current draw is so great that you need to make sure the cells are at the same potential or boom. I did how ever make a 24v pack with A123 cells and never balanced them and they where fine in a 120lb combat. If you have the cells close to each other and will not be pulling less then let's say 500mA then I can't say that it would be a problem. I know someone from NASA that knows about battery's and I will talk to him.