Can I charge 3.7v. volt Li-ion batteries the same way as a ni-cad or nimh battery is charged?

Question

I cut apart an 8-cell laptop Li-ion battery pack to discover it's construction. What I did discover is some overheated,undersized wires leading into a doublestack of printed circuit boards containing mutiples of 4-leaded transistors. I understand the multiple voltage taps. Can I or even should I consider these cells chargeable like a nihm charger setup? Li-ion cell construction and rejuvination are very foreign to me. The cells in my hand are in prime shape and dated 3-6-07. Can they last long like a nihm battery?

Answer 1

No you can not, Li-Ion is a somewhat unstable chemistry that requires protection circuitry to prevent it from catching fire.

If you even try to charge them like Nickel cells you'll probably only end up burning down your house.

Answer 2

Lith Ion cells can catch fire or explode if they are over charged, over discharged or overheated.

The PC boards are a BMS,  Battery Management System preventing problems.

These cells are charge terminated much different from NIMH or NIMH.

Sometimes the charging intelligence is in the BMS, sometimes in the charger.

You  need to study Li-ion battery technology before working with these cells.  

Many people get hurt messing with these batteries.  Take your time before messing with them.