3 prong charger socket shorted by accident

[RichardT]

Dear Experts

I could not find an Airwheel forum nor topic on the same.

I accidentally short-circuited the battery charger port of my Airwheel (similar to Solowheel) for a split-second.

I wanted to find out the voltage after the battery was fully charged and measured the voltage at the charger ports, a 3 pin round socket.

The multimeter leads got disintegrated during the burst of energy.

I tested the airwheel and it still ride as normal.

I am very worried now and like to know if this would have damaged the lithium batteries or charging circuit and is there any danger.

I also need to replace the port as its melted partially and its dangerous to be left as it is now.

Does Airwheel or Solowheel have battery protection built-in or short-circuit protection?

Thanks very much.

Regards
RichardT

 

[dnmun]

who can tell? there are no pictures and no clue what you are talking about.

 

[friendly1uk]

Is power still present at the socket? If so, it will likely still charge. It may not be able to disconnect the charger anymore though. fets often fail closed.

Can we see the socket in question? It sounds like an xlr

 

[RichardT]

Hi Folks

Thanks for your responses.
Sure, i have uploaded the picture in the attachment.

You may be able to see that the ring has a melted chunk of metal stuck to it and it nearly touches one of the power pins.

Even when the power is left with 1 red LED, which means about 15% energy left, the middle LED still is very dimly litted. Not sure what this means. Is it indicating some damage to the LED or circuit or is this normal for Airwheel ?

Have a nice day.

regards
Richard

 

[RichardT]

Is power still present at the socket? If so, it will likely still charge. It may not be able to disconnect the charger anymore though. fets often fail closed.

Can we see the socket in question? It sounds like an xlr

I dare not touch it anymore using a meter.
You mean the charger circuit may be damaged?

Now, I measured the voltage at the port using a insulated probes. It shows 56.1v

I am unable to insert the charger plug now as the port has been deformed.

regards
Richard

 

[friendly1uk]

Is this before or after the incident? lol

Is it just that bit of metal stuck in there that is stopping it from working?

Are the 3 pins all joined as the pos and the outer ring the neg? You could sleeve the pin that is close to where your working. Some airline won't be eaten with a single glance. A small cutting tool that won't bridge the gap may exist in a dremel set.

 

[Ypedal]

https://www.google.ca/search?q=airwheel+solowheel&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=4V47U-_lEsWa0QG-uIBY&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1242&bih=596#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=VTrXoEn14N4qsM%253A%3Bp4WJrryGkJADPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimg.diytrade.com%252Fseimg%252F419817%252F40359059%252FElectric_Self-balance_Scooter_Airwheel_Solowheel_With_Double_Wheel.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fm.diytrade.com%252Fm4%252Fpd%252F12221391%252FElectric_Self_balance_Scooter_Airwheel_Solowheel_With_Double_Wheel.html%3B263%3B322

interesting rig.. definitely time to open it up and replace that charge port...

i am confident the battery/bms are fine.. this is low current arcing and i've done it lots.. it destroys the connectors but the rest of the circuit is usually ok.

 

[RichardT]

Thank you for your opinions, YPedal

I hope so too. I really hope the charger will still cut-off charging when fully charged the battery. Else, I worry the charging may cause over-charging explosion?

I measured using insulated probes of multimeter, after using Airwheel enough to deplete the batteries, the voltage now is 56v down from full charge at 66v. With 56v left, I believe another short would still cause arching or serious damage if prolonged short? ? Not sure if Airwheel have short-circuit protection mechanism built-in?

regards
RichardT

https://www.google.ca/search?q=airwheel+solowheel&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=4V47U-_lEsWa0QG-uIBY&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1242&bih=596#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=VTrXoEn14N4qsM%253A%3Bp4WJrryGkJADPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimg.diytrade.com%252Fseimg%252F419817%252F40359059%252FElectric_Self-balance_Scooter_Airwheel_Solowheel_With_Double_Wheel.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fm.diytrade.com%252Fm4%252Fpd%252F12221391%252FElectric_Self_balance_Scooter_Airwheel_Solowheel_With_Double_Wheel.html%3B263%3B322

interesting rig.. definitely time to open it up and replace that charge port...

i am confident the battery/bms are fine.. this is low current arcing and i've done it lots.. it destroys the connectors but the rest of the circuit is usually ok.

 

[dnmun]

it may have a fuse, but you cannot use that plug any more. it is damaged. i use the XLR plugs because they are on all ping's packs and the chargers. but they use IEC plugs on chargers too, but a lot of people who charge at high current use anderson connectors because they can carry more current without overheating.

 

[RichardT]

it may have a fuse, but you cannot use that plug any more. it is damaged. i use the XLR plugs because they are on all ping's packs and the chargers. but they use IEC plugs on chargers too, but a lot of people who charge at high current use anderson connectors because they can carry more current without overheating.

Hi Dnmun

Thanks for your advice.

I am not sure after the changing the port, will the charging circuit cutoff when its fully charged or if its broken, the battery will be overcharged causing explosion?

Hope my fears are wrong.

Regards
RichardT

 

[dnmun]

no, that pin is deformed where it arced on the tip so it will jam the spring clips open on the plug when you put it back together and eventually as the burned nub wears off from use the clips will no longer make contact because they have been bent open too much already. this is always a problem with these kinda plugs using clipping sleeve type contacts.

 

[RichardT]

no, that pin is deformed where it arced on the tip so it will jam the spring clips open on the plug when you put it back together and eventually as the burned nub wears off from use the clips will no longer make contact because they have been bent open too much already. this is always a problem with these kinda plugs using clipping sleeve type contacts.

Thanks dnmun.

Ok, I will try to change the port.

But what should I expect when soldering the 2 power leads from the battery to the port? I suppose the third pin is not used?

regards
Richardt

 

[dnmun]

the middle pin is unused. if you can clean up that pin so it doesn't ruin the clip part then you can use it. or if it gets loose later you could move that wire to the middle pin and use it then. just with the one charger sorta thing.

 

[RichardT]

the middle pin is unused. if you can clean up that pin so it doesn't ruin the clip part then you can use it. or if it gets loose later you could move that wire to the middle pin and use it then. just with the one charger sorta thing.

Thank you so much, Dnmun

The clip is an obstacle. Will try to replace the port. But still am a bit worried about soldering the battery leads to the port.
What is a safe way to do the soldering? Battery is now drained to 56v down from 66v.

regards
Richardt