Charger for 16s LiFePO4

[vax]

Does this the job of charging my battery pack?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400W-60V-6-7A-Switching-Power-Supply-Current-Control-Charger-LED-CCTV-USC-/380580856393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589c630249

 

[999zip999]

Your battery pack ? There are many 48v lifepo4 battery packs does it have a picture or name. Where did you get this battery pack ? That would not be you best choice.

 

[dnmun]

in order to use the power supply as a charger you have to modify it so there is a current limiting feedback circucit tied to the output current. fechter has a thread on how to do it. you would be better off using a regular charger if you are new to batteries.

 

[vax]

I have 16pcs of these:
http://www.ev-power.eu/LiFePO4-small-cells/LiFePO4-High-Power-Cell-3-2V-20Ah.html

And modular bms, there's small boards that goes to each cell and master board that disconnects charger when all cells are charged.

That power supply should have current limiter - at least its said in description...

 

[vax]

Or, if anyone could recommend me what to buy or avoid; I'm seeking 5-10A charger. And has to ship Europe. Yet better, sold in europe...

 

[dogman dan]

Kingpan type 5 amp chargers have been popular, and as reliable as chargers seem to get. I got mine along with batteries from pingbattery.com. If you need a bms, you could ask ping in an email for one. 20 ah is a bit small for charging any faster than 5 amps. You'll get about 3 hour recharges with just 5 amps.

Far from the cheapest source, just where I got mine. I've liked the bms, it has LED's for each cell that indicate when it's fully balanced. But better still, put 8s jst plugs on your pack, and have a port for individual cell voltage monitoring with a cellog 8.

 

[999zip999]

I would go with a BMS Ping's ( signalab ) love those led's maybe his 60amp model and add sense wires for checking or so you have access for balance if needed. Plus easy way to check balance of your battery. Or I agree with Dogman.

 

[vax]

Like I wrote, I already have a very nice modular bms made by local company called DriveChord. It has small boards that goes to each battery and master board. I just need 60V power source.
Okay, this one?
http://www.pingbattery.com/servlet/the-30/lifepo4-48v-51.2v-16s/Detail

 

[999zip999]

Yes I love mine it's was not as high as my 2a Ping at 61.3v and remenber it to be 59v. I think. But it's turned up to 72v. I would if I could turn it up to 82v but I think it would let the magic smoke. What end voltage are you looking for ?

 

[vax]

16 cell LifePO4 - around 60V would do the trick I think.
Image of DriveCord BMS, used at electric car. Small boards are connected to loop; when cell is charged, its loop input and output are connected. And when all cells are charged, the loop is closed and master board switches the charger off.

 

[dogman dan]

Duhh, clearly you said you have the bms. I read too fast sometimes. Yes, that's the kingpan type charger I meant. Mine will shut off at just about 60v. It's been a very rugged and dependable charger for me, for three years now.

 

[BlackburnPete]

Can these Kingpan chargers be turned down from 60.5V to 58.4V? I have a KP6005AL charger from Ping that is marked on the label with an output at 60.5V.
I have a new OSN Power 48V 20Ah (A123 20Ah pouches) and I was going to use this KP6005AL charger until it was pointed out that my charger might over-charge the pack slightly if it goes to 60.5V.
OSN recommends 58.4V.
The new OSN pack has a 50A BMS that will protect the pack from over-charging. (The BMS spec sheet is attached).

Oddly enough, I have another very similar charger (labelled KP6005AL) from V-Power that is labelled at 60V output. Both chargers are in identical silver aluminum cases.
Will either (or both) of these chargers be suitable for for charging my new pack?

 

[dnmun]

the KP is a kingpan charger, it has the switch on end under the plug. you should keep that switch turned off when you plug the charger into the AC. then turn the switch on when you want to charge. if you turn the switch on before you plug the battery in then there is no spark.

you can adjust the voltage down, the 60v balances the cells to 3.75V/cell. it will depend on how far outa balance the pack goes during discharge as to how much you can reduce the voltage. 59V would be place to start and then see if it takes a long time to go into the balance mode.

 

[BlackburnPete]

Here is a picture of the KP6005AL showing the corner by the red/green LEDs. I see a small adjuster on top of the blue thingy in the corner. Is this the adjutment for the charger output? Can I simply turn this charger down to 54.8V? Clockwise or counter-clockwise?

 

[dnmun]

i think it is counterclockwise to go down in output voltage. that thingy is called a trimpot. 502 mean it is 50x10^2 or 5kohms. often called a 'Bourns' trimpot after the manufacturer who invented them.

you don't have to remove the end plate to adjust it and be careful putting the endplate back on because that is when those leds break off at the base so put you finger on them from behind to support them when you push the endplate back on. i have some of the red/green leds on order, guess why.

also you don't have to worry about charging up to 60V for 16S lifepo4. when the pack is new it can balance with only 59V or so but when it gets old then the cells go outa balance fast and you need the 60V to make them all balance then.

 

[999zip999]

I use a small screwdriver with shrink tube to the tip so it won't short any where. Plus turn it slowly as it has spots where the voltage can change fast as it can be a little trichy.

 

[dnmun]

there is not really risk of shorting there except the red wire that goes to the battery. and those traces right along the edge of the pcb with 60V.

i dropped my little tweaking screwdriver right on top of the high voltage section in the front end of a charger. lucky it landed on top of a resistor and didn't short out. so close i could not unplug it fast enuff.