Building a charger? :D

[oscaryu1]

I need to build a charger for my scooter... it's using A123 cells, so no off the shelf chargers unfortunately :\

So anyways... after a bit of Googling, for a decent charger I'll probably have to compile code and whatnot (), and have to build it from scratch. The battery pack in the scooter is a 49.5v 10aH A123 pack... high discharge (30C cont. 60C burst), and high charge rates (10C), however, I only want to charge it at ~2aH... nice slow charge, and then even out (trickle charge/float charge)...

Any idea where to start? Get my hands on a voltage regulator of some sort... a PIC... I have no idea.

 

[nedfunnell]

I need to build a charger for my scooter... it's using A123 cells, so no off the shelf chargers unfortunately :\

So anyways... after a bit of Googling, for a decent charger I'll probably have to compile code and whatnot (), and have to build it from scratch. The battery pack in the scooter is a 49.5v 10aH A123 pack... high discharge (30C cont. 60C burst), and high charge rates (10C), however, I only want to charge it at ~2aH... nice slow charge, and then even out (trickle charge/float charge)...

Any idea where to start? Get my hands on a voltage regulator of some sort... a PIC... I have no idea.

Fortunately for you, there are off-the-shelf chargers for A123 batteries. You want something that is LiFePO4/LiFE/LiNP compatible (those the non-brand names for A123 batteries) and you can find a great number of options on hobbyking.com.

If you really want to make your own charger, you can use a power supply and a 'Dapter':
http://www.slkelectronics.com/lipodapter/index.htm

How did you end up with these batteries but no charger?

Cheers!

 

[oscaryu1]

Because I'm building the battery packs from scratch.

I don't want to adapt a Li Ion/Li Po adapter, you can't find one that charges 48-50v batteries.

I'm trying to build a constant voltage charger, to keep it at 48-50v. Take in mind, from COMPLETE scratch. I have little electronic experience (at all, TBH). But it's a project I'm willing to take while I buy the batteries one by one (A123 system batteries, expensive :\)

 

[nedfunnell]

Because I'm building the battery packs from scratch.

I don't want to adapt a Li Ion/Li Po adapter, you can't find one that charges 48-50v batteries.

I'm trying to build a constant voltage charger, to keep it at 48-50v. Take in mind, from COMPLETE scratch. I have little electronic experience (at all, TBH). But it's a project I'm willing to take while I buy the batteries one by one (A123 system batteries, expensive :\)

If you want to fry your expensive batteries, continue as planned. If you want to keep them well maintained and not have to home-brew any fancy circuits, then split your pack into 2 or 3 sub-packs and charge separately with commercial chargers. There are plenty of chargers out there capable of charging A123 batteries. Do your research.

 

[oscaryu1]

What fancy homebrew circuity are you on about? Do you have any idea what most chargers ARE? Either CV or CC chargers, and alter their flow depending on the type of battery they're designed for.

There are NO A123 chargers that are made to be used with the battery pack I'm attempting to build. Go find me one that's even PRACTICAL to use or in my case, BUY. Until you actually get an idea of what you're talking about, please leave this thread and come back a bit more educated.

 

[nedfunnell]

Do you happen to have a degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited school?

What fancy homebrew circuity are you on about? Do you have any idea what most chargers ARE? Either CV or CC chargers, and alter their flow depending on the type of battery they're designed for.

There are NO A123 chargers that are made to be used with the battery pack I'm attempting to build. Go find me one that's even PRACTICAL to use or in my case, BUY. Until you actually get an idea of what you're talking about, please leave this thread and come back a bit more educated.

 

[oscaryu1]

Nope, but by the sounds of it, whether you do or not, you sure as hell are pessimistic and avoiding my question.

Say, assuming that you ARE certified, why not actually give some beneficial knowledge instead of telling people to go out and buy something that would never work in the first place? I post on here to get help, not to be told off and to go buy something I've previously looked into. Change your gung-ho attitude a bit and you may earn some respect. Accredited or not, you sure don't act like it.