mCX Charger Modification
#1
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From: Plano,
TX
This modification will allow you to use either batteries or an AC adapter.
As an engineer I work with schematics, but I thought it may be easier for you to just lay out your charger as in the pictures, buy the parts from Radio Shack, and follow the instructions.
If you have questions, let me know. Mine is working great.
As an engineer I work with schematics, but I thought it may be easier for you to just lay out your charger as in the pictures, buy the parts from Radio Shack, and follow the instructions.
If you have questions, let me know. Mine is working great.
#2
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From: spring,
TX
good work on the charger looks nice even though i dont have an mcx i still appreciate you spending the time to do this oh and by the way theres like no one else that lives in Texas on here lol except a few
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From: Plano,
TX
Bob and Jeff, I sent you an email. Bring me your chargers and I will modify them for you - for free !!
ORIGINAL: birdy233
Ok Greg, when are you going to modify my charger for me??
Ok Greg, when are you going to modify my charger for me??
#7
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From: Plano,
TX
resistor can go either way. Radio Shack does not have 180ohm. 150ohm is fine Catalog #: 271-1109
ORIGINAL: shwillbur7
does it matter which way the resistor gose on the wire? thank you
does it matter which way the resistor gose on the wire? thank you
#9
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From: Plano,
TX
Stepping down 12 to 6 volts can be done with a linear regulator or even resistor divider, using a 20ohm resistor which would dissipate 1.8W to get down to 6V at 300mA. However the open circuit voltage (when the charger is not on) would still be 12V and that voltage may not be handled by the charger. I would suggest you get the AC Adapter I specified. Use the pictures and it will work.
ORIGINAL: etc1006
I can get 12v 7.2 Ah gel cells from work. What would I need resistor wise to knock it down to 6v, and would it work decent?
I can get 12v 7.2 Ah gel cells from work. What would I need resistor wise to knock it down to 6v, and would it work decent?
#13

Wheelnut,
I like you did the conversion. But long ago converted my MCX stock charger with an old 300 mAh 6 volt power wall 120 step down power source I had sitting the drawer. And for the most part I re worked like GDAVIS
JPee
I like you did the conversion. But long ago converted my MCX stock charger with an old 300 mAh 6 volt power wall 120 step down power source I had sitting the drawer. And for the most part I re worked like GDAVIS
JPee
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From: Fremont,
CA
Is it possible to use 6v AC supply with 550mA instead of 300mA? Would you recommend a resistor in series to place in order to reduce current going in? Thanks.
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From: Hanceville,
AL
For those of you that were wondering about v regs that can be used for this:
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SWADJ.htm
I've got the anyvolt as well as the DE-SWADJ. Both of them are rock solid and will hold whatever voltage you set them at. If I'm thinking right you could then use basically any 12v or 9v power supply with it, since it's a switching regulator.
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SWADJ.htm
I've got the anyvolt as well as the DE-SWADJ. Both of them are rock solid and will hold whatever voltage you set them at. If I'm thinking right you could then use basically any 12v or 9v power supply with it, since it's a switching regulator.
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From: Gulf Breeze, FL
ORIGINAL: gilera
... works great, halves the charge time ....
... works great, halves the charge time ....
Gene K
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From: Tali,
ON, CANADA
ORIGINAL: Gene K
I've read a couple of posts that the stock charger charges at 2-3C vice the recommended 1C - so that would mean the battery life could be shortened ( as I understand - I'm not very charger-literate). So if the mod in this thread shortens charging time by 1/2 of the stock, it looks like the charge rate has to be higher than the stock - meaning there's a very good chance of shortening battery life?
Gene K
I've read a couple of posts that the stock charger charges at 2-3C vice the recommended 1C - so that would mean the battery life could be shortened ( as I understand - I'm not very charger-literate). So if the mod in this thread shortens charging time by 1/2 of the stock, it looks like the charge rate has to be higher than the stock - meaning there's a very good chance of shortening battery life?
Gene K
But I guess some people don't mind as they have house insurance






