bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

I went over to the battery clinic and read the article, "Hope You Get Charged Up Over This."

Then I went in the basement and proceeded to sort out my endless collection of little black boxes
that I just couldn't throw out over the years.

My question is this.

I've seperated them into four categories based on what they say on them.
Can one of the electronic geniuses on this board please set me straight on what exactly
each one is or means?

Transformer/Power Supply

Transformer

Power Supply

and the obvious, Battery Charger


Thanks_bob

camss69

My Feedback: (46)

We need a little more detail off the boxes.

In general terms, a transformer will take one AC voltage and either step up or down that voltage. I use one that takes 110vac wall power and steps it down to 24vac to power my home made power supply. (the power supply requires a 24VAC input and outputs 12Vdc to power my quick field charger when I use it at home)

GENERALLY* a power supply for hobby use is a 12VDC power source. It is regulated at 12Vdc which is usually what is required to run most battery chargers that have the alligator clips on them like you would hook to a car battery. Some power supplies are capable of putting out other voltages usually 12 and 24vdc are pretty common choices on the same power supply. Wall power is AC the battery charger usually requires DC, the power supply requires a smaller voltage than what comes out of the wall. So the transformer steps down the wall power for the power supply, the power supply converts smaller AC voltage from the transformer to DC for use by the battery charger.

A transformer/power supply is probably both, if you look on it it probably says 120vac input and 12vdc output at some amperage or something to that effect.

I'm guessing you know what a battery charger is.

Hope that helps, these are some general terms since I don't know exactly what you have and there are literally millions of different types of transformers, power supplies, and battery chargers.

If I've got something wrong someone please feel free to jump in.

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Thanks for your time in answering my question.

What I want to do is use some of these old boxes to charge nicads.
More specifically, slow charge them without peaking. Seems that over the years all I have for larger
packs are peak chargers. I have no real way to slow charge my larger packs at a .1C rate for instance
without a peak.

I'm guessing that as long as the voltage out is DC at some MaH rating, I can do some testing
to find the ones that will fit the category of what I want to do with them.
All of this while the batteries are being monitored of course.

I have a multi voltage power supply that goes from like 3 to 12 volts.
Is something like that able to charge a battery pack?
I'm still a little fuzzy about the exact differences between the boxes that say battery charger,
and the ones that don't say that but can be used to charge.

I'm in the process of reading a couple of books on the subject to become
more familiar with it. Electricity is a never ending learning process for me.

Thanks again, and have a good day_bob

feihu

Bob:

What size Nicads (number of cells and mah) are you wanting to charge at .1C ?
You will need a DC supply to handle the charge.
If the battery pack is, for example, 8cells which is 9.6volts, then you will need a voltage supply of at least 9.6 + 5 = 14.6volts to charge. The charge voltage should be higher than the fully charged battery pack voltage - which is about 10.6 for 8 nicad cells.
If your battery pack has a capacity of, say, 600mah, then you need a current supply of at least 60 ma. (.1C).
Therefore, a 16v 100ma power supply or charger will do the job.

Many chargers use 24volts to charge packs up to 14 cells.

If you're handy with a soldering iron and are familiar with some electrical components, then you might want to build your own.

I've built my own charger that has a capability of charging 1 to 16 cell packs with an adjustable current (for .1C) of 50 to ~ 500 ma. email me if you want the diagram.

feihu

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

You're the man

I want to charge my 5 cell Sanyo 2700 AU cells at .1C

But, I also have some packs rated at 1900 and 2400.
Your variable rate sounds like the ticket!
I've been looking in some old magazines and stuff, but couldn't find anything variable
that will do the job.

If I had to buy one at this point, the Ace Super DDVC looks like the one I'd be interested in.

Thanks for the offer, and send it when you can.


[email protected]

feihu

Sent

feihu

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Thank You!

How is the weather in Arizona now?

I did some UAV training in Yuma last December thru April.
It was beautiful out there!

feihu

Bob:

Weather's great, 65 to 75 from dawn to about noon, wind mostly calm. CAVU. (clear and visability unlimited).

"UAV training"? Are you flying them over the boarder? Could be fun work, eh?

feihu

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

Was flying in Iraq.

Back home for good now_bob