Can someone please explain the difference with these 2 configurations?

Is there anything different that needs to be done as far as charging these?

Thanks.

Thinking of these by cells - the 2S1P is only 2 lipo cells wired in series (the S number is the # of cells wired in series) and the 1P is actually redundent in this case - adds nothing other than to say there's no cells in parallel (1 cell in parallel makes no sense, this is uaually omitted for 1P type pacs).

The number associated with the P is the number of cells in parallel. Your 2S2P is made up of 4 cells - there are 2 sets of 2 cells wired in series. The pair of 2S cells are wired together in parallel for 2S2P.

Wiring in series doubles voltage, 2S = 2 X 3.7v = 7.4v nominal, but keeps the capacity the same. If these were 1S 5000mah cells, wired together, you'd have a 7.4v 2S 5000mah lipo. When you wire in parallel, voltage doesn't change, but capacity doubles. So the 2S2P if made from 5000mah cells would be a 7.4v 2S 10,000mah (2x5000) lipo. Running in parallel is typically done to increase run time.

As far as charging, they are both charged as 2S, a lipo charger will take care of the rest.

Thanks for the information Duster. I was thinking on the right line, but your post really cleared it up for me. Thank you.

You're welcome. The electric stuff gave me fits when I came back into RC after a long break, so I completely understand.

Duster, fantastic explination. But remeber that alot of chargers you have to set the amps, so if your batts can only charge at 1c, and your total battery capacity is say 5000 you can only charge it at a maximuim of 5 amps

Deleted, re-read :P