Auto-On and Auto-Start Charger

[markz]

I have been looking and I dont think there a Lipo Charger out there that will turn on automatically, and auto start the charging process, without someone pressing the start button?

I have done a few searches now and come up with this.

This site here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2330092, states the only auto chargers are the cheap 2S and 3S and 4S ones.
They charge once its all plugged in. But the rates are too slow, 2A, 3A maybe 4A.

Or something like this http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/duratrax/dtxp4195.html, on a wall timer, with the batteries already plugged in.
http://www.duratrax.com/chargers/dtxp4620.html this is 4S and 3A which is a little better.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7898__Turnigy_420_Balancer_Charger_2S_4S.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...4A_Automatic_Balance_Charger_2_4S_Lipoly.html

Right now I babysit my battery charging process. I sit next to it while on the computer. With one charger, its taking Forever!
I have looked into buying a 2 channel, the one I like is a 150Wx2 7A charger for $90, all I ever charge at is 1C so for a 5Ah pack its 5A charge. All I really need is 75W, 5A. So a 4 channel 240W (60Wx4) 6A is good too at $74 + PSU and accessories.

I dont think theres a way to have the best of all worlds. The iChargers allow you to stop the charging process at a predetermined voltage like 4.10V or 4.15V. Those are expensive units. But with those you have to press a button. Safety reasons of course.

Then you have the cheap chargers that start charging once you plug everything in, but who knows where the final voltage will be. Perhaps I get a parallel balance lead splitter, with a High Voltage Alarm like the Cell-Log 8M Cell Voltage Monitor, set it to 4.15V. Then I could have the charger hooked up to a timer, and everything already plugged in and ready to go. Then have the timer turn on at 9am, then at 10:30am or maybe 11am the battery pack is fully charged and ready for a day of ebiking. I was additionally thinking of buying a smoke alarm and placing it in a strategic spot close to the charging area. I already have a fire extinguisher. I charge the batteries next to my bed when I am sleeping.

What are your thoughts on this kind of setup?

Good, Bad, Stupid?

 

[amberwolf]

I don't know of one that does whta you want...but the Cycle Satiator by Grin Tech at ebikes.ca can be setup for mulitple charging profiles, and a default profile can be selected so it will automatically start charging as soon as you plug it into that pack.

But it doesnt' balance, so you'd want a BMS on the pack to do that if you need it to balance during charge.

 

[dogman dan]

Good that you babysit the charging process, since you do charge where you wouldn't build a fire. Do buy that smoke alarm, in case you step out of the room at the exact moment something starts smoking. Have a plan, how are you going to deal with this if it does flame? Have a way to get that thing outside. The fire extinguisher might put the room out, but it won't put a flaming pack out.

For sure, you will need a bms if you go to a bulk charger of some kind. Since you are there, I don't get the problem with pushing the button.

Even the very cheap lipo chargers usually have a lilo setting that charges to 4.1v if that would be to your liking. But they can be hard to find the settings in the menus.

 

[John in CR]

Just use a bulk charger and a timer. I don't know how you guys can stand the hobby I call "Fiddling with Batteries".

 

[Voltron]

Having a timer in the system is a great idea for the forgetful among us (thats me btw). Was even thinking about a soleniod type relay that opens after the timer goes off, so that even if you dont check it by the time it comes back around to on the open relay would keep power from the chargers.

 

[r3volved]

I use a timer myself...but my charger starts as soon as it's plugged in (i.e. no start button on charger - Li-ion).

Timer works fantastic! I plug in when I get home, it comes on at 7 (off-peak hours) and turns off at 9...generally topped up by 8:30 and an extra half hour for any balancing.

With lipo, maybe set charge time low enough to just top it up 90% and then you monitor charge the last bit?

 

[dogman dan]

Yes, bulk charge and use a timer.....where you would build a fire.

I stopped fiddling too about two years ago.....and I charge where I would build a fire.