INDIVIDUAL CELL CHARGER AND METHOD OF USING SAME

An individual cell charger and method of using it are disclosed. The voltage of each individual battery cell of a series connected cell configuration, is measured. A controlled power source charges the cells individually at an initial voltage. The voltage on each individual one of the charged cells is subsequently measured by a battery management system. The voltage of the controlled power source is incrementally increased to charge the cells individually at an incrementally higher voltage. The measuring and charging of each individual cell is repeated until the voltage on at least one of the cells reaches a predetermined voltage. Once the voltage on at least one of the cells reaches a predetermined voltage, the measuring and charging each individual cell continues at substantially the same last incremental voltage.