Comments on: Hacking the Schumacher SPEEDCHARGER for PHEV & EV use http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/hacking-the-schumacher-speed-charge-for-phev-ev-use/ Jim's place to carry on Rants & Raves Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:33:32 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Tim Powell http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/hacking-the-schumacher-speed-charge-for-phev-ev-use/#comment-281 Tim Powell Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:41:32 +0000 http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-281 I have been pondering various schemes for an AFFORDABLE smart charger for a 22x12V AGM pack. My best idea so far is based on monitoring current, voltage, and temperature and electromechanically modulating a high power variac. I have considered various standalone PLCs and microcontrollers as the brain and I/O but am currently favoring a laptop and a USB I/O device (e.g. Measurement Computing MiniLAB 1008) due to cost of PLCs, lack of experience with micros, and competence with Visual Basic. Your solution seems far better, but I lack the necessary knowledge to ececute it. I would be EXTREMELY interested in additional specific information/schematics on how you did it! There are alot of "check back later" type entries in your post. Rest assured that I will. I have been pondering various schemes for an AFFORDABLE smart charger for a 22×12V AGM pack. My best idea so far is based on monitoring current, voltage, and temperature and electromechanically modulating a high power variac.

I have considered various standalone PLCs and microcontrollers as the brain and I/O but am currently favoring a laptop and a USB I/O device (e.g. Measurement Computing MiniLAB 1008) due to cost of PLCs, lack of experience with micros, and competence with Visual Basic.

Your solution seems far better, but I lack the necessary knowledge to ececute it. I would be EXTREMELY interested in additional specific information/schematics on how you did it! There are alot of “check back later” type entries in your post. Rest assured that I will.

]]> By: waren http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/hacking-the-schumacher-speed-charge-for-phev-ev-use/#comment-252 waren Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:57:28 +0000 http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-252 Thanks for posting this information. I would like to use the SC-600A to charge my AGM battery however the manufacturer has very specific charging instructions with respect to voltage. The battery is partially charged 11.2V, when I connect it to the charger it dispays 75% which seems high and then begins to charge. Should be OK right, well the voltage is very low, 12.9V and the current is also low 0.6A dropping to 0.5A over 30 min. The recommended voltage is 14.4V bulk and absorption and 13.5V for trickle. I am using a cheap DVOM, so I would not be able to observe discrete pulses of 14V. The pulse strategy would also mess up the current measurement. I was planing to return the charger because of the low voltage condition but based on your write up maybe it is a measurement error. QUESTION: Have you observed the voltage (amplitude) of these pulses, and if so are they between 14V and 15V in absorption and 13.5V in trickle? Thanks again! Thanks for posting this information. I would like to use the SC-600A to charge my AGM battery however the manufacturer has very specific charging instructions with respect to voltage. The battery is partially charged 11.2V, when I connect it to the charger it dispays 75% which seems high and then begins to charge. Should be OK right, well the voltage is very low, 12.9V and the current is also low 0.6A dropping to 0.5A over 30 min. The recommended voltage is 14.4V bulk and absorption and 13.5V for trickle. I am using a cheap DVOM, so I would not be able to observe discrete pulses of 14V. The pulse strategy would also mess up the current measurement. I was planing to return the charger because of the low voltage condition but based on your write up maybe it is a measurement error. QUESTION: Have you observed the voltage (amplitude) of these pulses, and if so are they between 14V and 15V in absorption and 13.5V in trickle? Thanks again!

]]> By: Steve Powers http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/hacking-the-schumacher-speed-charge-for-phev-ev-use/#comment-212 Steve Powers Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:29:03 +0000 http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-212 I use these to charge my EV (actually, 11 of them, 1 per battery) - Do you know how to hack them so that they automatically start up at the 6 A rate so I don't have to set each one individually every time I go to charge? I want the highest rate possible, but I still want the safety features and maintain mode to keep working. Any ideas? Thanks, Steve Powers - Atlanta I use these to charge my EV (actually, 11 of them, 1 per battery) – Do you know how to hack them so that they automatically start up at the 6 A rate so I don’t have to set each one individually every time I go to charge? I want the highest rate possible, but I still want the safety features and maintain mode to keep working. Any ideas? Thanks, Steve Powers – Atlanta

]]> By: Louis Ruffino http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/hacking-the-schumacher-speed-charge-for-phev-ev-use/#comment-175 Louis Ruffino Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:21:18 +0000 http://wizbandit.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-175 Very good work. I have some A123 batteries for which I am trying to build a charger. Your work is very helpful. Thanks Very good work.

I have some A123 batteries for which I am trying to build a charger. Your work is very helpful.
Thanks

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