Can I use these chargers?

[Patriot]

Can I use either one of these for my new battery?

I've read over and over that I can use a 48v SLA charger for my new 32 cell 48v/20ah LiFePO4 Headway pack.

I want a cheap charger because I need it to be small, as I will be hauling it with me. Also, I have GGoodrums BMS. So, from what I understand, SLA chargers should work fine.

However, do I need to crack it open and adjust it for a slightly higher voltage or something?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-Charger-Electric-Scooter-Bike-48V-2-5A_W0QQitemZ300265709569QQcmdZViewItemQQptZScooters?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-Charger-Electric-Scooter-Bike-48V-1-8A_W0QQitemZ300268508152QQcmdZViewItemQQptZScooters?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/48-Volt-Battery-Charger-Electric-Scooter-Bike-48V_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a3Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem180318222091QQitemZ180318222091QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Any suggestions?

 

[rkosiorek]

yes. as it is that charger most likely outputs 57.6V. what you need is 59V

that last 1.4V is important. this last little bit of the charge is wha is used to balance the packs.

so what will happen is that with the lower voltage sla charger you will only charge your pack to about 95% of capacity and the pack will never be balance.

the specs. of these chargers is also questionable, like there really aren't any. no datasheets either. how well are they regulated? are they adjustable? who knows? it may work great or you may have wasted $20.00. its a roll of the dice.

on the other hand buying one of those Meanwell 48V supplies and switching out a diode will do what you want.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...o=CRX&its=S%2BI%2BSS&itu=ISS%2BUCI%2BSI&otn=4

i'm pretty sure that ecrazyman still gives out the specs on these. just have to email him. but yes it is bigger and comes in a lousy aluminum istead of plastic box.

i also noticed that at least one of those chargers is from ecrazyman. email him. ask him if he thinks it will work.

rick

 

[pgt400]

What about these Lifepo4 chargers on ebay? Small, Cheap and available in a 3 or 6 amp version.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Scooter-LiFePO4-BATTERY-48V-3A-FAST-CHARGE-110V-240V_W0QQitemZ300284204261QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBatteries?hash=item300284204261&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A3%7C294%3A50

 

[dogman dan]

That looks like the right voltage, but do be aware who you are dealing with on the transaction. No telling what will actually be in the box when you deal with mr lau.

For a charger that has the adjustable pot inside, the soneil chargers seem to be the ones that have it. The 36v one I tweaked up was 3605 S model. Some other cheapie chargers I have around don't have the adjustable voltage. Bear in mind though, if your pack needs balancing every single charge, there is something wrong, either with the pack or the way you are using it. I went over 100 cycles on my ping this summer with nothing but undercharging sla chargers and was still in perfect balance after about 1000 miles of riding. Lucky me I got good cells in my pack, but also I kept the discharge rate easy on the pack. The pack does not need balancing if it never gets out of balance in the first place. Choosing the right size pack for the motor and controller you are using may be more important than the type of charger.

Anyway, the point I am trying to get across is that it should be fine to charge quite a bit of times with a lower voltage charger as long as a higher voltage charger is used to balance the pack when it is needed. My current routine is to charge at home with the soneil, and at work with a lower voltage charger.