Getting those Lipo's charged.
Update: Part 2 is here: http://asselinpaul.posterous.com/getting-those-lipos-charged-part-2-with-the-m
Lithium Polymer batteries are awesome.
Lipo's are delicate and need constant monitoring, many chips like the MAX1555 are here to help you achieve just that. Here is a charger I designed in Eagle but haven't actually made (student == no budget). You can have the design files and can get the PCB's made for around 12$ on the internet. All of the components are Surface Mount but frankly, it's quite easy to do (even with a 10$ iron).
I'll probably have a project using the Maxim1555 pretty soon, I'll be posted here in due time.
While you wait for that here is the schematic of the charger and a frankly pitiful Sketchup model of what it should look like when done.
Schematic: http://cl.ly/1q1a1l403p3f380I3H3Z
PCB board: http://cl.ly/1h1c19272t1A1e2S172q
The chip itself is a bit expensive if you ask me and is available at Sparkfun. Another chip that is interesting is the MCP73831 from Microchip (a lot cheaper). I'll try and have a look into that as soon as I can.
