[Jan]

Jack, I'm not sure what the problem is, so my sugestion might be prety stupid. Since I have 2 sets of 250V capacitors, I've placed the pre-charge circuit between these two sets. Because I think there's the least amount of current running. And switching the relay occurs at zero volt. Just wait for the input voltage to become stable. I don't know how much current is generated there. I suppose it's a function of the current running trough the main circuit, and/or the voltage. I think that place simplifies the pre-charge relay significantly.

btw. I've blown up my gate driver, does anyone know a better ebay source?

[jackbauer]

Its actually not so much a problem now. Never tripped out at home as its switched via contactor in the evse. It frequently trips a 32A breaker in work but i suspect this may be due to the manual isolator switch arcing or bouncing at switch on.

[kovgab3]

Hi guys,

I really appreciate the work, you put in this project, it is really awesome! (I love Arduino, and the fact that it can do anything.)
I read the emotorwerks site, and more than 15 pages from this topic, and still keeping on reading, but I can't wait for the answers :

I have read that batt.packs above 50V are supported. Is it really so?
I would like to use this charger with different packs, ranging from 36V to 84V.
Do this support my "small" 36V / 48V packs also?

(a sub question: I got some TS90 LFP cells, which are deep discharged, because a friend of mine let the distributed BMS modules on them, without charging for 5 months, and they "ate" the cells. Each are about 0.2V. I am trying to recover them 1by1, and it would be very good, if I could charge them "automatically", with a special curve. But it means ~4.0V charging voltage, at 0.5A. Is it possible to use this charger for such purposes?)

I would use it in Europe, where the PFC module is said to be recommended. However (if I don't really want to go above 3kW) is it a must, or can be omitted?

Did you perhaps considered using Olimex's Olimexino-STM32?
(http://www.olimex.com/dev/olimexino-stm32.html)
It's not an ordinary Arduino board, but a Maple clone, but it has built in CAN support, on the half price of a Sparkfun CANShield (+ the price of the Arduino board, so the cost is under 1/3). For automotive purposes, it can be a good choice (I think )

I would like to add the code for the Sparkfun DS1307 module (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/99), I have used it a couple of times.

When can I buy the latest version of the charger?

Thanks
KG

[GizmoEV]

Originally Posted by kovgab3

(a sub question: I got some TS90 LFP cells, which are deep discharged, because a friend of mine let the distributed BMS modules on them, without charging for 5 months, and they "ate" the cells. Each are about 0.2V. I am trying to recover them 1by1, and it would be very good, if I could charge them "automatically", with a special curve. But it means ~4.0V charging voltage, at 0.5A. Is it possible to use this charger for such purposes?)

While this is OT I would caution against charging your cells to 4.0V. Just use a bench top PS and set it to 3.4V and what ever current it can put out and you can leave it alone essentially forever. At low currents you don't charge to as high of a voltage as you do when you stop the charge at 0.05C or 4.5A in the case of your 90Ah cells.

[kovgab3]

Thank you for your suggestion, I will try it.

[valerun]

Originally Posted by nfj

http://download.vincotech.com/power/...%20Control.pdf

her is a nize setup with short circuit protection and active pfc

and here is how to with a thyristor and a mosfet to control the inrush.

http://www.edn-europe.com/limitinrus...23+Europe.html

GREAT stuff - thanks!

[valerun]

Originally Posted by kovgab3

Hi guys,

I really appreciate the work, you put in this project, it is really awesome! (I love Arduino, and the fact that it can do anything.)

thanks!

Originally Posted by kovgab3

I have read that batt.packs above 50V are supported. Is it really so?
I would like to use this charger with different packs, ranging from 36V to 84V.
Do this support my "small" 36V / 48V packs also?

yes. With packs of this voltage, your setup would be even easier - I would not do PFC since you are going to be limited in power anyway (output current is limited to 50-60A due to the inductor saturation). Moreover, you don't need a voltage doubler since you are going to use 220V in Europe (and even if you connect to 110 here, you get plenty of voltage for your batteries).

Originally Posted by kovgab3

(a sub question: I got some TS90 LFP cells, which are deep discharged, because a friend of mine let the distributed BMS modules on them, without charging for 5 months, and they "ate" the cells. Each are about 0.2V. I am trying to recover them 1by1, and it would be very good, if I could charge them "automatically", with a special curve. But it means ~4.0V charging voltage, at 0.5A. Is it possible to use this charger for such purposes?)

You can try. Current regulation is down to ~0.5A in this charger so you might have to accept 1.0A fluctuating to 0.5A and 1.5A. Moreover, I would agree with another poster and not set 4.0V. I would rather set the CV at some low voltage and see if the cells come up (the output voltage will be very low in the beginning regardless of what you set CV at - until cells are charged a bit) - maybe 3.3 or 3.4V.

Originally Posted by kovgab3

Did you perhaps considered using Olimex's Olimexino-STM32?
(http://www.olimex.com/dev/olimexino-stm32.html)
It's not an ordinary Arduino board, but a Maple clone, but it has built in CAN support, on the half price of a Sparkfun CANShield (+ the price of the Arduino board, so the cost is under 1/3). For automotive purposes, it can be a good choice (I think )

Unlikely we are going to change design of that piece much at that stage. That said, we are using Max32 boards with CAN for our EV Dashboard product (being released now).

Originally Posted by kovgab3

When can I buy the latest version of the charger?

Now would be a good time ;-) Would you be looking for a fully built unit or a kit? Please send an email to valery at emotorwerks dot com and we will discuss further.

Thanks,
Valery.

[kovgab3]

Hi Valery,

Email has been sent to you.
thanks,

[jackbauer]

Little update on the charger :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shqN9MLRVWE
Sorry for my bad camera work. Ended up taking the easy option on the inrush issue and just used two more NTCs. No more tripped breakers.

[1-ev.com]

Cool, Cool Charger, Great Job !!!! and Happy Holidays to all of you, too!!!