Best way to make an 18650 5V battery pack?

[Datrat]

As an evolution of my electronics hobby, I wanted to make a minimal effort system to communicate who of my cats has  been fed and how long since that happened.   It will be Raspberry Pi Zero W powered contraption, and I'm wondering the best way to make a battery system to power it because I dont have an outlet close to them. and I think it would be a fun project to do.

 

- The Final device will run a webserver that will make the times available there as well. But there will be a display with the times updated as well - I am not sure about the best way to power it because I am new to BMS systems.

 

- I have 100 Samsung 18650 cells that I got free from someone who recycled 350 BRAND NEW cells at my work.

 

-I want to have at least 2 cells, or enough to power the device for over 1 day. They are 3200mAh cells at 4.2 volts max.

 

- I was intending to use 18650 cells holders similar to these to hold them securely but I would like to be able to charge via USB C.

 

- I am not sure if there is a board that does USB C charging and 5V output for a pi zero W and 128x128 white pixel screen (I am considering using an electrophoretic display if I can find one large enough for my needs), or if it is more cost effective to get them in separate pieces.

 

I just don't want to rely solely on Bing GPT and order the wrong stuff. Thank you for reading my word vomit, have a good day

[HanZie82]

Sounds like you're the perfect candidate for one of those make them yourself powerbanks.
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005296932617.html

This is just an example, there are different sorts with different ports and capabilities.

 

TL:DR: has charging hardware and 5V output. and nice benefit is a counter to see battery percentage.