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[Kill3rT0fu]

I'm considering getting a power tank and then throwing on some 3rd party chargers. I know if I order the Elcon chargers without CANbus comms, I have to specify number of cells and voltages and all that. There is no documentation for this after 2018. The zero wiki shows the power tank information up to 2018. Do any of you know what information I'd need to tell the charger vendor to include the 14kw pack with the power tank?

This is a semi-longer term project. So I wasn't going to order the parts all at once. Am I required to order the power tank first, and then install the chargers second? Or is there a way to reprogram the chargers myself after the tank is installed?

[MVetter]

28S

95-116.4vdc

[victor6.7y]

I see no reason why the Elcon chargers should be re-programmed when you have a power tank.

You should take care regarding the total charge current. With a 6 KW power tank, and 2x 3.3 kw Elcon charger you are at 12.6 kw. Should mean that you will be able to charge in one hour. When you add your OBC you will be at 13.8 kw. Than you are really approaching the 1C charge speed.

[DonTom]

I see no reason why the Elcon chargers should be re-programmed when you have a power tank.

You should take care regarding the total charge current. With a 6 KW power tank, and 2x 3.3 kw Elcon charger you are at 12.6 kw. Should mean that you will be able to charge in one hour. When you add your OBC you will be at 13.8 kw. Than you are really approaching the 1C charge speed.

You are confusing the power tank with the charge tank. Easy to do. He won't be anything near 12KW.


-Don-

[victor6.7y]

You are confusing the power tank with the charge tank. Easy to do. He won't be anything near 12KW.


-Don-

Whoops, Good point. hihi, there is still no difference in the programming of the Elcon chargers tho 

[Kill3rT0fu]

You are confusing the power tank with the charge tank. Easy to do. He won't be anything near 12KW.


-Don-

Whoops, Good point. hihi, there is still no difference in the programming of the Elcon chargers tho 

I thought the chargers need to know the total number of cells and total pack voltages to charge, since they have no way to communicate to know when to stop.

So I can get the chargers first and then power tank afterwords?

[DonTom]

I thought the chargers need to know the total number of cells and total pack voltages to charge, since they have no way to communicate to know when to stop.

So I can get the chargers first and then power tank afterwords?

My Elcons are very simple. They simply turn off at 95% SOC and have no need to communicate  with the bike. The rate must slow down a lot at 95% SOC anyway and the OBC take over from there.


The chargers I have were purchased direct from Elcon in Sacramento, CA. programmed by them for my Zeros.


I charge my Zero SR by as much as ~8KW when on the road. I can do even more at home.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[DerKrawallkeks]

@killertofu

The Elcon only need the voltage when to stop charging (and the charge current, which can always be maximum). That's the only two things an Elcon/TCCharger must receive.

[DonTom]

@killertofu

The Elcon only need the voltage when to stop charging (and the charge current, which can always be maximum). That's the only two things an Elcon/TCCharger must receive.

They also need to detect the battery voltage to start charging.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Kill3rT0fu]

I thought the chargers need to know the total number of cells and total pack voltages to charge, since they have no way to communicate to know when to stop.

So I can get the chargers first and then power tank afterwords?

My Elcons are very simple. They simply turn off at 95% SOC and have no need to communicate  with the bike. The rate must slow down a lot at 95% SOC anyway and the OBC take over from there.


The chargers I have were purchased direct from Elcon in Sacramento, CA. programmed by them for my Zeros.


I charge my Zero SR by as much as ~8KW when on the road. I can do even more at home.


-Don-  Reno, NV

I was looking at the Elcon TC HK-J 3300W Charger. Why does the 3300W charger from the Sacramento shop look different than the EVcomponents.com one?

[DonTom]

I was looking at the Elcon TC HK-J 3300W Charger. Why does the 3300W charger from the Sacramento shop look different than the EVcomponents.com one?

I know nothing about the charger shown from EV components, so I cannot tell you what the differences are.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[victor6.7y]

I thought the chargers need to know the total number of cells and total pack voltages to charge, since they have no way to communicate to know when to stop.

So I can get the chargers first and then power tank afterwords?

yup. I did read about something regarding, that it is better to have a power tank installed as soon as possible. This because of the aging regarding the battery of the power tank, and the battery in the bike. It sounds sensible, but in theory I do not think it really matters.
I mean, it is probably better. But you can get away with it if you do not do it.


Battery chargers usually work as follows:
The plus and minus of the battery is connected to the plus and minus of the charger. By doing so the charger is able to measure the voltage of the battery.
Good chargers are able to regulate at least two things; Voltage and Current. After sensing the voltage the charger tries to increase the voltage of the battery. When the voltage is increased, the battery will draw current from the charger.

By regulating the current, the charger is able to create a charge curve. Some batteries require these.

In order for the charger to ensure the batteries are not over charged, it needs to know the maximum voltage of the battery.
When while charging the maximum voltage is reached. The charger stops increasing the voltage and the charging automatically stops.


Three more points to know:

• Chargers are only able to deliver a limited amount of current.
• Our batteries also need battery balancing. In our case this is handled by the BMS (it does way more than this tho)
• Our batteries have a Contactor(a main power switch). This needs to be turned on to charge. Our OBC's tell the bike that it is in charging mode and asks the BMS to turn on the Contactor.