My previous question may not have been grammatically or logically clear. For those playing along, probably no one at this point, I have converted with some success, an 18V 10 battery pack to a 5 battery 18V pack while keeping the PAK's existing circuitry. Still getting full amperage/voltage output, but longevity is of course reduced. Pack's longevity is further hampered because the protection circuity, specifically low-voltage battery protection is incorrectly kicking in too early - when the PAK's total voltage is at 17.5, rather than at 15V (or 3V * 5 Bats) - probably because of 5 BAT mod.
My pea brain is thinking just to short or bypass the low voltage protection circuit, then just take battery pack voltage measurements once in awhile so batteries don't get too low. Here is a better picture of the circuit board. Unfortunately, the battery clips and large fuse hide most of the middle of the board including the 20 pin IC brain (which you can just barely see (10 pins protruding from under the large 30A fuse/red jumper). Also, as Edd previously mentioned, there are two heatsinked mosfets under the board. Of course, the circuity has other functions too, like balance charging each battery, and who know what else (certainly not me). So hacking or reverse engineering this board to prevent my PAK from dying so soon/charging so often, may not be the way to go, at least for me. Maybe an alternative solution would be to replace existing circuit with a simpler circuit that just balance charges the batteries - maybe something like Edd originally proposed to charge a battery(s)- penny for "The Gang's" thoughts?
Alternatives:
1.bypass low voltage protect circuity
2.modify low volt circuit to kick in at 15V, not 17.5V
3.start new - ommit low voltage circuit, replace charging circuit
4.?
