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[Skidz]

On my DSR 2016 I have a charge tank installed. Tested the charger on a public charge point, worked like a charm ( 4kW ish). Tested if the chargetank kicked in when I turn on the key and connected the side charge port, also worked like a charm (2,4kW). Next day the timer started the charging process without me present, charged at 1.3kW as expected. But last night, the charge tank kicked in and helped the charging along without me keying the bike on?
I was under the impression I had a choice: Plug in the bike, charge at 1,3kW. Turn bike on, then plug in the bike: The tank charger helps, charge at 2,4kW. But now it seems the charge tank sometimes helps, and sometimes doesn't?

The reason behind me wanting to have charge options, is when I'm forced to connect to a 6 amp 230v sockets somewhere and cannot exceed 1,3kW...

Anybody has a clue as to why this might be happening?

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Wait - you leave your bike plugged in to a J plug overnight? Or do you adapt your home 220 outlet to the onboard charging plug and leave that plugged in? Just trying to understand this scenario better.

For what it's worth, Zero's PDF charge tank guide is available which does explain some things. I think the general rule is: "the charge tank will charge if it's plugged in and the vehicle enters charge mode", which does mean you'll have to only use the onboard charging plug (IF it doesn't activate the charge tank).

[Skidz]

To make it more clear: At home, I charge with a regular 230V home outlet connected to the regular C13 charge connector on the bike. When the timer kicks in, the bike is off. Last night the chargetank helped the charge again, without the bike being on when starting the charge.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

To make it more clear: At home, I charge with a regular 230V home outlet connected to the regular C13 charge connector on the bike. When the timer kicks in, the bike is off. Last night the chargetank helped the charge again, without the bike being on when starting the charge.

So, the Charge Tank kicked on through the C13 plug? I guess it triggered on 220V AC input.

I can see how that could be a problem! I don't know what to tell you. Hopefully there's a way to toggle or disable the tank charger. The power cabling does connect to the C13 inlet but this capability was not obvious.

Maybe have a careful look, and we can ask a dealer or Zero what might be done.

[dv8sean]

That's normal functionality. The Charge Tank works in tandem with the OEM onboard charger, so you may hear the Charge Tank fan running even when plugged in via the stock charge inlet.

[Skidz]

That's normal functionality. The Charge Tank works in tandem with the OEM onboard charger, so you may hear the Charge Tank fan running even when plugged in via the stock charge inlet.

Hmmm, that's not what I read in the charge tank manual:

To save battery power and ensure battery longevity, your Zero motorcycle turns off
almost all power-consuming circuits when the key switch is in the OFF position
and the motorcycle’s on-board charger is not connected to power. As a result,
your motorcycle must be turned ON prior to initiating any charge cycle using the
Charge Tank.

Page 1, third paragraph. So: If i connect the C13 and the bike is off, the charge tank should not engage according to the manual... I think the variable factor is

and the motorcycle’s on-board charger is not connected to power

Which is, in my opinion, a bit vague since in the last 4 cycles, the charge tank engaged 2 times. One time on purpose for testing, the second time without the bike being keyed on...

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

That's normal functionality. The Charge Tank works in tandem with the OEM onboard charger, so you may hear the Charge Tank fan running even when plugged in via the stock charge inlet.

Hmmm, that's not what I read in the charge tank manual:

To save battery power and ensure battery longevity, your Zero motorcycle turns off
almost all power-consuming circuits when the key switch is in the OFF position
and the motorcycle’s on-board charger is not connected to power. As a result,
your motorcycle must be turned ON prior to initiating any charge cycle using the
Charge Tank.

Page 1, third paragraph. So: If i connect the C13 and the bike is off, the charge tank should not engage according to the manual... I think the variable factor is

and the motorcycle’s on-board charger is not connected to power

Which is, in my opinion, a bit vague since in the last 4 cycles, the charge tank engaged 2 times. One time on purpose for testing, the second time without the bike being keyed on...

Engaging the onboard charger puts the bike in charge mode which closes the contactor. The key has nothing to do with it; if the contactor is closed, the charge tank could engage.

[Skidz]

Digging up an old thread, in case ppl search for it

I've checked my J1772 charge session last night (A test before I go on a long trip, 450km) to see how long the chargetimes would be when travelling with only the chargetank available. This is with a ZF13 battery in a DSR. Here are my findings:

31%, 12 Amps  100.793 Volts 1209.516 Watts
35%, 32 Amps  102.747 Volts 3287.904 Watts
39%, 31 Amps  103.134 Volts 3197.154 Watts
43%, 26 Amps  103.709 Volts 2696.434 Watts
47%, 31 Amps  104.159 Volts 3228.929 Watts
51%, 28 Amps  104.854 Volts 2935.912 Watts
55%, 31 Amps  105.787 Volts 3279.397 Watts
59%, 26 Amps  106.829 Volts 2777.554 Watts
63%, 31 Amps  108.042 Volts 3349.302 Watts
66%, 27 Amps  109.214 Volts 2948.778 Watts
70%, 25 Amps  110.368 Volts 2759.200 Watts
74%, 28 Amps  111.626 Volts 3125.528 Watts
78%, 27 Amps  112.994 Volts 3050.838 Watts
81%, 27 Amps  114.269 Volts 3085.263 Watts
85%, 26 Amps  115.563 Volts 3004.638 Watts
88%, 12 Amps  116.290 Volts 1395.480 Watts

The 88% actually is ~100%, looking at the battery voltage. The charge from 30% to 100% took 2.5 hours (Almost exactly) so that's a nice figure I guess The only thing that's a bit odd is that the charger never seems to reach the theoretical maximum of 3800 watts (3349 is peak) but that might be because the logging is done every 10 minutes... Anyway, I hope to soon add a 3600 watt charger to the bike, cutting the charging time roughly in half

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Nice. Voltage reaching 116 by 88% is what is meant by CV operation: the battery voltage when charging will dynamically be raised by about 1V at that power level, and the charger implements tapering by reducing power to keep voltage in the target band.

The dynamic voltage increase is roughly explained as due to internal resistance in the pack, which relates to heat production within the battery.