Hey guys,
A mate of mine and I have been trying to figure out how to get the best battery charge happening, with a number of Series packs installed for use in my E-bike. So far we have come up with 3 options that are reasonable, and will give a superior charge and maximise battery life in the process.
1 - Series mounted chargers, with say 3 packs in series ( 6s per individual pack ) , we connect charge leads only ( a negative before the 1st pack, then positive after the positive exit of the first 6s pack ), in between each series pack connection and the balance leads also, permanently to a charge plug located on the pack. They are not actually connected to anything during use apart from those leads going to a plug.
To charge the packs - you just plug as many chargers in at the same time, the chargers are external and will balance charge each 6s pack.
If there are packs in parallel on each 6s pack, then all of the parallel packs, will also receive a balance charge at the same time from the one charger connected to them.
You could actually get away with one charger, and just charge through 1 plug at a time, if u wished.
2 - Series mounted chargers Variation 2, As above however the chargers are also mounted on the bike - with the charge and balance leads permanently attached from each series pack to each charger. With the chargers turned off - there should be no current draw from the charger ( I am unsure about this point ). You would just plug in a DC power supply to the chargers to do the balance charge
3 - Series mounted charger Variation 3, If 2. was not possible because leaving a charger connected would somehow short the charger, then leave it half connected so that you could move a switch which will make the circuit for charging.
4 - BMS type charger - Some company somewhere makes a charger that they call a BMS that can fit X many cells and also the cell balance leads - which also must stay connected at all times like option 2 - to smart charge and the lipo batteries.
Thoughts / Spears / Has anyone gone a different route ?
Nick
A mate of mine and I have been trying to figure out how to get the best battery charge happening, with a number of Series packs installed for use in my E-bike. So far we have come up with 3 options that are reasonable, and will give a superior charge and maximise battery life in the process.
1 - Series mounted chargers, with say 3 packs in series ( 6s per individual pack ) , we connect charge leads only ( a negative before the 1st pack, then positive after the positive exit of the first 6s pack ), in between each series pack connection and the balance leads also, permanently to a charge plug located on the pack. They are not actually connected to anything during use apart from those leads going to a plug.
To charge the packs - you just plug as many chargers in at the same time, the chargers are external and will balance charge each 6s pack.
If there are packs in parallel on each 6s pack, then all of the parallel packs, will also receive a balance charge at the same time from the one charger connected to them.
You could actually get away with one charger, and just charge through 1 plug at a time, if u wished.
2 - Series mounted chargers Variation 2, As above however the chargers are also mounted on the bike - with the charge and balance leads permanently attached from each series pack to each charger. With the chargers turned off - there should be no current draw from the charger ( I am unsure about this point ). You would just plug in a DC power supply to the chargers to do the balance charge
3 - Series mounted charger Variation 3, If 2. was not possible because leaving a charger connected would somehow short the charger, then leave it half connected so that you could move a switch which will make the circuit for charging.
4 - BMS type charger - Some company somewhere makes a charger that they call a BMS that can fit X many cells and also the cell balance leads - which also must stay connected at all times like option 2 - to smart charge and the lipo batteries.
Thoughts / Spears / Has anyone gone a different route ?
Nick
