[ClintK]

I've had a couple people ask me about this charger, so I decided to start a thread about it!

I purchased the Chinoz PFC 10 Amp from evcomponents to charge my 96V LiFePO4 pack.

Although my car isn't 100% driving yet, I've taken the car for several spins around the neighborhood and the charger has performed very nicely bring the voltage of the pack back up.

The manual for the charger is a bit lacking, so here are a few things I noticed (no promises if these are right though!):

The charger comes with a connector that is for the main pack. I didn't know where to find the matching connector for it, so I lopped it off and soldered on new wires.

The charger has a 5V red/yellow input for BMS. I don't yet have a BMS system for my car, so I instead hooked up a 9V battery and switch. Red line to the positive side of the battery. Yellow line to the switch / negative side of the battery. Before plugging in the charger I flip on my switch. I then flip off the 9V battery after the charger is finished. If I flip off my 9V battery before the charger is done, the charger stops charging and reports the battery as full (just as a BMS would).

I've heard the green wire is a charger interlock - used to connect to a relay to prevent the car from being "started" while it is still charging. Seems to be optional - I do not have it plugged in to anything right now.

The charger is charging up to about 107V (3.56V/cell). After disconnecting the charger I notice the voltage settle to about 102V (3.4V/cell). This is a new pack though so I don't know if that will change over time.

The temperature sensor of the charger does work. I accidentally left the sensor in the Phoenix sun. When I plugged in the charger it reported the temperature as too hot and wouldn't charge.

The heat sink/fins of the charger can get pretty darn hot while charging! (You can't hold your hand on it.)

As of this time, I would recommend this charger to others / buy it again.

Hope that helps!

[dimitri]

Can you post some pics? Maybe overall pic and some closeups on connections, labels, indicators, etc?

Does it have dual voltage input? Like 120/240 VAC?

Thanks for a nice review! I especially like the BMS input, sadly even some expensive chargers don't have it.

[DIYguy]

Hi Clint, thanks for starting this thread. Overall, I think this is a good unit. It's the lack of info that hurts it.... It did come with a spec sheet... I wouldn't call it a manual. It has some info...but nearly enough. No wiring diagram. No info about some the the features at all. It was apparently based on the DeltaQ design.

As you know, I bought the same charger...only the 6 kw version for 192 volt pack. I like everything about it ( as much as I know ) with out using it. It has dual voltage input 120/240 VAC. It is high effeciency PFC, switch mode design. It is also isolated secondary I'm told. I have more info, that is not handy right now and will post later. TJ4 has also bought this brand and we have been conversing a bit. I am very disappointed in the lack of documentation ...this is my big beef. I also bought through EVComponents and so far it has been only promises. I have a hard time to accept this unit without the proper info. (sorry guys... I know you are trying...but it does little to help me.... you have the purchasing power to demand this gets supplied) One of my big concerns is WRT the correct battery algorithm.
There are a number of LED flashes upon power up to determine the loaded algorithm. One of the reasons I wanted a good charger was to get the most life from my batteries. I can't even confirm what is loaded in it. The printing on the side of the unit says to ensure proper program is loaded for the intended battery. Not kewl.... I have plenty of pics.... have to be tomorrow though..

[ClintK]

I've attached 2 pictures.

The first one is of my setup. You can see the temperature sensor professionally (yeah, right) taped to the batteries, 9V battery, and work-around BMS switch.

In the second picture you can see the business end of the charger and the connector that it comes with.

[madderscience]

The large grey connector looks to be a standard issue 50A anderson connector. The cheapest way I have found to get these is to salvage them from old computer UPSes. However better hardware stores and any decent online electronic component retailer will have them too. or, go straight to the source:

http://www.andersonpower.com/products/multipole-sb.html

[dimitri]

Hmm.... you guys didn't get the manual for these chargers. I think this is the manual. I got it from some reseller, can't recall who at the moment. Looks like same chargers, although no data about BMS input.

Hope this helps.

I'm concerned about lack of cooling on these, as I also heard from other people that these chargers get very hot. They even have fans starting with 4.5kW model I think, but not on smaller ones. I would try to attach a small AC fan to the fins and wire in parallel with AC line.

1 5KW-16KW HF-PFC Charger Manuals.pdf

[petenyma]

Clint, thanks for the info. I have a 120v pack and will probably be using mine for the first time tonight.

[ClintK]

Originally Posted by dimitri

Hmm.... you guys didn't get the manual for these chargers. I think this is the manual. I got it from some reseller, can't recall who at the moment. Looks like same chargers, although no data about BMS input.

Hope this helps.

I'm concerned about lack of cooling on these, as I also heard from other people that these chargers get very hot. They even have fans starting with 4.5kW model I think, but not on smaller ones. I would try to attach a small AC fan to the fins and wire in parallel with AC line.

Attachment 4712

Nice find on the manual. It looks like the same info on the 2 page handout that came with the charger, except yours includes info on the charger interlock. I'd still like to see the different charging curves.

The charger actually cools off quite quickly after it's done. I've been leaving my trunk open though to ensure there is plenty of cool Phoenix air flowing around it.

[kittydog42]

The interlock function is very poorly explained in the manual. It provides 0V to the coil of a relay when charging, but what about when it is not charging? I am guessing pack voltage comes out? Should I assume that 0V is referenced to the traction pack, since that is the only connection?

It wouldn't have taken much to explain that a little better.

[frodus]

I'm more curious about how these are field programmable..... where's the programming cable?