Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: electrofan on July 27, 2010, 12:07:42 AM

Title: Battery charger advice
Post by: electrofan on July 27, 2010, 12:07:42 AM

Hi guys,

I am planning on using the following battery pack for my robot: http://www.all-battery.com/12v2000mahnimhbatterypack11606.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/12v2000mahnimhbatterypack11606.aspx)

I was considering building my own charging circuit. However, due to time constraints I don't have the ability to prototype it on a breadboard before I create PCB. So I've decided to go with a wall charger instead. I was wondering if anyone has used/recommends any of the following chargers for my pack:

http://www.all-battery.com/smartuniversalchargerfornimhnicdbatterypack7-2v-12v-01020.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/smartuniversalchargerfornimhnicdbatterypack7-2v-12v-01020.aspx)
http://www.all-battery.com/12v2aswitchingpowerbatterycharger.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/12v2aswitchingpowerbatterycharger.aspx)
http://www.all-battery.com/15vuniversalchargerfor12vto144vnimhnicdbatterypackswithdcconnector.aspx (http://www.all-battery.com/15vuniversalchargerfor12vto144vnimhnicdbatterypackswithdcconnector.aspx)

The last one seems to be unmonitored, though. I'm leaning towards the second one due to a tight budget. However, its DC output current is 2A, and my pack is 2000mah, so I am a bit concerned about that.

Thanks again guys.

Title: Re: Battery charger advice
Post by: voyager2 on July 27, 2010, 01:07:03 AM

I suggest you use one of the Related Products to charge the battery.
I use the charger that comes with the battery, but this one doesn't appear to have one...
Can logged in users ask questions on All Battery?
Note that 2000mA = 2A, 1000mA = 1A and so on

Title: Re: Battery charger advice
Post by: Soeren on July 27, 2010, 05:35:51 AM

Hi,

The charger in the first link is the only one of them that will work.
Saving a few bucks here is a bad idea - this charger should serve you for years to come and a saving of $3 to $6 will quickly be lost on a ruined battery.

Title: Re: Battery charger advice
Post by: electrofan on July 27, 2010, 05:48:39 AM

Hey. Am I right to assume that the reason for the first charger being the only good one is due to the lower current option (0.9A instead of 2A)?

I didn't notice that the first one had a sale price of $19.99. For that price, it's a definite buy. Thanks again.

Title: Re: Battery charger advice
Post by: waltr on July 27, 2010, 07:10:02 AM

This:
"# Automatic charging cut-off by negative delta V detection for optimized charging and battery life"
is the reason to buy the first charger that the other don't have.

Title: Re: Battery charger advice
Post by: Soeren on July 28, 2010, 10:36:14 AM

Hi,

Quote from: waltr on July 27, 2010, 07:10:02 AM

This:
"# Automatic charging cut-off by negative delta V detection for optimized charging and battery life"
is the reason to buy the first charger that the other don't have.

Yes that is one of the reasons, but the current counts as well. The other two are for larger cells.