[mizlplix]

In their multitude of literature about their chargers is the phrase "and tools to load new algorithms in the field."

I assume it would require a dealer or the Sacramento boys to do this "field" reprogramming? I see no information about it included.

(Sorry, I dont intend to stay lithium ignorant forever...Lol)

TYVM,Miz

[Coulomb]

Originally Posted by mizlplix

I assume it would require a dealer or the Sacramento boys to do this "field" reprogramming? I see no information about it included.

I think that's what is intended.

However, it may be possible to use the connector at the top of the image below to JTAG program it:



You'd have to figure out what the processor is, figure out the JTAG connector pinout (if that even is a JTAG connector), reverse engineer the code, and then downloading a new image would be relatively easy.

There's a lot of assumptions in the above, and they may have put spanners in the works at various points. Personally, I'd like to see the details published (either by the manufacturer, or by an enterprising user that wants to be able to upgrade his charger without sending it half way around the world).

[mizlplix]

Me too. I don't have a problem with the $75 charge, it is the shipping both ways that is a game killer.

I have found that most of the " dealers" I have conversed with are very evasive when answering questions about programming a charger. A few admitted that they need it to go to Sacramento and they dont do it "in house".

Leading me to believe no one outside Elcon, USA can do it.

Of coarse I've been wrong before.

Miz

[mizlplix]

OK, From a layman's perspective....I only see 1 actual "algorithm" with 10 steps of charging voltage to suit your cell count.

Not the "10 unique algorithms, easily field programmable with tools included to do it in the field".

It is a good charger, but it is FAR from what they puff it up to sound like.

Yet more creative salesmanship.

Miz

[mizlplix]

Totaly agreed. Nice charger. But mine is set up for no BMS. If I get a BMS later it will cost me $75 plus post both ways. Oh well I can dream.

Miz

[mizlplix]

Not so much to control the charger. Elcon told me it was a totally different more aggressive charge curve with BMS than one without....like mine. If mine were used with a BMS then my pack would be woefully under charged and it charges much slower too.

Miz

[mizlplix]

Their explain was you needed to be more careful without BMS.

I am a noob at this. Time will reveal the truth to me.

Miz

[jaspersk]

What is the normal delivery time for this charger? I placed an order March 23. I was told it would ship around April 20. When I ask the distributor for an update he just says he'll tell me when it ships. So hard to be patient with a car ready to hit the road.....

[mizlplix]

Sorry, but if it was coming from Sacramento, then it is an ELCON.

If it is coming from China, it is a clone and will have no name on it.

A lot of dealers sell chargers. Some are the Brand name, some are "back door" knock-offs. The difference? A Sacramento ELCON can be sent back for 2 way shipping (and 2 weeks) and be reprogrammed if you need to for some reason. A clone cannot, you are stuck with it. Same for any repairs.....

I have 2 PFC2500 chargers. 1 is real and sez ELCON and has a fan on it. The other came from China. It is without a fan and needed to have one put on it for the AZ climate.

Both work the same though.

The Chinese one took 6-8 weeks if I remember correctly.

Please PM me when you get it and tell me if it has ELCON written on it or not.

Miz

[jaspersk]

I assumed all Elcon's were built at a factory in China. I guess I was wrong. Not long after posting the note above, I got an email with UPS tracking showing the package shipped from West Sacramento. Can't wait for it to get here.