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[Lecram]

I often read '1C' charging when it regargs fast charging for the Zero. But what exactly does 1C mean?

[hubert]

It means charging at 1x the hourly capacity.

Battery cap is 100Ah, it means charge current is 100A and battery will be full (from empty) in 1 hour theoretically.

In this example, 0.5C charging means 50A during 2h...

[Lecram]

It means charging at 1x the hourly capacity.

Battery cap is 100Ah, it means charge current is 100A and battery will be full (from empty) in 1 hour theoretically.

In this example, 0.5C charging means 50A during 2h...

Great, thank you!

Why is this so important for charging the Zero?

[hubert]

Because 1C is the highest possible charge current. Beyond this value the pack may be damaged.

Plese note that the highest discharge current (at least when fully charged) is specified to 7C by Zero.

It is very usual that batteries can be discharged quicker than recharged. Batteries for electric cars featuring very quick charge through chademo or combo within 30 minutes are designed for higher charge rates like 2C, at the expense of other features, for example energy density (bigger, heavier pack).

[togo]

Because 1C is the highest possible charge current. Beyond this value the pack may be damaged.

Plese note that the highest discharge current (at least when fully charged) is specified to 7C by Zero.

It is very usual that batteries can be discharged quicker than recharged. Batteries for electric cars featuring very quick charge through chademo or combo within 30 minutes are designed for higher charge rates like 2C, at the expense of other features, for example energy density (bigger, heavier pack).

Farasis has been testing cells and they can handle 3C without damage, but the Zero packs have been designed with a more conservative 1C limit, reflecting the prior understanding of the cells.  The circuitry will disconnect the contactor if it detects more than 1C charging, so that's the limit we have to go by.  So, for example, for my 11.7 kwh battery, with 10 kwh usable, we limit charge rates to 10 kw.  I've got two j-plug inlets.

[Lecram]

Because 1C is the highest possible charge current. Beyond this value the pack may be damaged.

Plese note that the highest discharge current (at least when fully charged) is specified to 7C by Zero.

It is very usual that batteries can be discharged quicker than recharged. Batteries for electric cars featuring very quick charge through chademo or combo within 30 minutes are designed for higher charge rates like 2C, at the expense of other features, for example energy density (bigger, heavier pack).

So that means that when a Powertank is used, the 1C value is higher, about 124 Amps, is that right? If that is right, the battery can be charged at about 14Kw's

[Doug S]

We should perhaps also point out for the uninitiated that even charging at a 1C rate can be damaging under some circumstances, such as when the SoC is near the minimum or maximum. A typical "smart charger" will start off with a slower charge if the battery is well discharged, transition at some point to "bulk charging" at (perhaps) the 1C rate, and then taper off at the higher end by transitioning from constant current (CC) to constant voltage (CV) charging.

Which is a long-winded explanation for why "1C" charging can't charge your battery from 0% to 100% in an hour. But it probably can charge from 30% to 80% in 1/2 hour.

[Hansi]

Approximately 1C charging or more would also make the Zero motorcycles usable beyond half their normal range (have to return to overnight charging after using 50% of the battery or wait for a long time at the destination before going back). I'm keeping my fingers crossed Zero will bring back DC charging, or offer 22/11kW AC charging soon.

[mrwilsn]

Because 1C is the highest possible charge current. Beyond this value the pack may be damaged.

Plese note that the highest discharge current (at least when fully charged) is specified to 7C by Zero.

It is very usual that batteries can be discharged quicker than recharged. Batteries for electric cars featuring very quick charge through chademo or combo within 30 minutes are designed for higher charge rates like 2C, at the expense of other features, for example energy density (bigger, heavier pack).

So that means that when a Powertank is used, the 1C value is higher, about 124 Amps, is that right? If that is right, the battery can be charged at about 14Kw's

Yes. However, there is also a 100 amp fuse that is not easy to get to or replace. To get past it you need to wire the fast charger to your controller rather than using the aux charge port.

The 1C limit enforced by the BMS is relative to nominal capacity. So a 2014 S ZF11.4 is 10kWh nominal so can be charged at 10kW.  A 2017 S ZF13 is 11.4kWh so can be charged at 11.4kW.  A 2016 S ZF15.9 (power tank) is 14kWh nominal so can be charged at 14kW.

Keep in mind that at 95V, 100 amps means 9.5kW max or you blow the fuse. Once pack voltage goes up to 110V you can charge at 11kW before you blow the fuse.  Thus, I recommend to wire anything over 9kW to the controller rather than through aux charge port.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Burton]

Ah the joys of being a 2013 battery owner Been charging through my controller since I blew my Aux fuse years ago with my RSP2000 charging stack lol

[mrwilsn]

Ah the joys of being a 2013 battery owner Been charging through my controller since I blew my Aux fuse years ago with my RSP2000 charging stack lol

Aka learning the hard way 😉

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Unofficial manual entry: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#C-rate

[mrwilsn]

Unofficial manual entry: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#C-rate

Good write up....I think this entry warrants an asterisk with a mention of the 100 amp fuse.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Unofficial manual entry: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#C-rate

Good write up....I think this entry warrants an asterisk with a mention of the 100 amp fuse.

It's in a nearby section under Charging: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#Charging_Fuse

I'll figure out a clearer organization at some point. There are many concepts that link with each other.

[Lecram]

Has anyone ever considered to replace the fuse for a 125A (or other higher Amp) fuse?
I know that Zero would never support this, but Zero also does not support other chargers than theirs.