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[Richard230]

I bought a DeltaQ accessory charger from Zero. The instructions say to always plug in the OBC before activating the DeltaQ. When I tried to just use the DeltaQ without the OBC, I got a nasty red light where the green charging light would normally be. So I unplugged the DeltaQ, then plugged in the OBC and then the DeltaQ. Everything is really cooking on my 2018 S with the Zero app showing a maximum of 22 amps from two different 120V circuits in my garage.

My question is: Is it possible to run the DeltaQ without the OBC, just in case the OBC craps out again and I need to charge up via The DeltaQ, which I know is very reliable?  BTW, the DeltaQ is using over 1000 watts according to my Kill A Watt meter. I thought it charged a 650 watts, but this one is sucking more power than that, which I assume is a good thing. 

[staples]

The DeltaQ's are 1kW.
https://zeromanual.com/wiki/Zero_Quick_Charger

Maybe you have to key on the bike to charge via DeltaQ only.

[svelectric]

You should be able to use the DeltaQ solo.  The process would be to plug it in (bike off).  Turn bike on, let the charger kick in).  Then turn bike off and it should keep charging.  1000 Watts shoulds about right.

[Richard230]

You should be able to use the DeltaQ solo.  The process would be to plug it in (bike off).  Turn bike on, let the charger kick in).  Then turn bike off and it should keep charging.  1000 Watts shoulds about right.

Thanks. I'll give that a try. I thought that might be the way to get it to charge without the OBC, but the instructions that came with the charger didn't mention that process and I didn't want to do anything that would upset the BMS.

[NEW2elec]

Yeah just turn the bike on and let the contactor close and then plug the Delta Q into the wall.  Once the green charge light blinks then key the bike off.

Fun fact: If your OBC is dying and tops at at say 85% and you plug it in first then both chargers will stop at 85%.  But if you start the Delta Q first and then plug in the OBC  it goes up to 100% with both charging to the 85% and then the Delta Q going solo the rest of the way.

[Richard230]

Yeah just turn the bike on and let the contactor close and then plug the Delta Q into the wall.  Once the green charge light blinks then key the bike off.

Fun fact: If your OBC is dying and tops at at say 85% and you plug it in first then both chargers will stop at 85%.  But if you start the Delta Q first and then plug in the OBC  it goes up to 100% with both charging to the 85% and then the Delta Q going solo the rest of the way.

Thanks. That is good to know.   

[Richard230]

I followed the recommendations above and the DeltaQ works perfectly to charge my Zero without needing to turn on the OBC. So I can use it to replace the OBC if necessary or to almost double the output of the OBC if I need to (relatively) fast charge. 

My only other comment is: could Zero have found a less convenient location for the "accessory charging" connector?     It would have been nice if Zero had located the connector at a location where you wouldn't have to get down on your hands and knees to plug in their accessory charger.

Attached is a photo of my accessory charger cooking away on my garage floor last night. Definitely not a device that is very convenient to carry with you for charging on the road. Also attached is a photo of the accessory charger connector located under the swing-arm and above the motor for those of you who might be wondering where Zero has hidden the connector on the Gen 2 models.

[DonTom]

I followed the recommendations above and the DeltaQ works perfectly to charge my Zero without needing to turn on the OBC. So I can use it to replace the OBC if necessary or to almost double the output of the OBC if I need to (relatively) fast charge. 

My only other comment is: could Zero have found a less convenient location for the "accessory charging" connector?     It would have been nice if Zero had located the connector at a location where you wouldn't have to get down on your hands and knees to plug in their accessory charger.

Attached is a photo of my accessory charger cooking away on my garage floor last night. Definitely not a device that is very convenient to carry with you for charging on the road. Also attached is a photo of the accessory charger connector located under the swing-arm and above the motor for those of you who might be wondering where Zero has hidden the connector on the Gen 2 models.

If you buy the Y cable, there will be plenty of room for the Delta Q. I have one permanently  strapped down to both my Zeros. I can connect two  (or one) DeltaQ's in seconds. Very easy to get to. Or, you can make your own extension cable if you have the equipment (I now do).


The OBC closes the contactor. The Delta Q will NOT. So the bike must be keyed on to close the contactor for the DeltaQ. But if you want to remove the key and NOT use the OBC, read from here on.


-Don- Reno, NV

[Kdw]

I followed the recommendations above and the DeltaQ works perfectly to charge my Zero without needing to turn on the OBC. So I can use it to replace the OBC if necessary or to almost double the output of the OBC if I need to (relatively) fast charge. 

My only other comment is: could Zero have found a less convenient location for the "accessory charging" connector?     It would have been nice if Zero had located the connector at a location where you wouldn't have to get down on your hands and knees to plug in their accessory charger.

Attached is a photo of my accessory charger cooking away on my garage floor last night. Definitely not a device that is very convenient to carry with you for charging on the road. Also attached is a photo of the accessory charger connector located under the swing-arm and above the motor for those of you who might be wondering where Zero has hidden the connector on the Gen 2 models.

If you buy the Y cable, there will be plenty of room for the Delta Q. I have one permanently  strapped down to both my Zeros. I can connect two  (or one) DeltaQ's in seconds. Very easy to get to. Or, you can make your own extension cable if you have the equipment (I now do).


The OBC closes the contactor. The Delta Q will NOT. So the bike must be keyed on to close the contactor for the DeltaQ. But if you want to remove the key and NOT use the OBC, read from here on.


-Don- Reno, NV

Don, I’ve got Anderson SBS75X brown plugs coming…what gauge wire did you use for your extension cable? Looks like with an 8.5amp charger, I could get away with 12Awg to keep the extension small enough to hide away in the frame easier.

[valnar]

Don, I’ve got Anderson SBS75X brown plugs coming…what gauge wire did you use for your extension cable? Looks like with an 8.5amp charger, I could get away with 12Awg to keep the extension small enough to hide away in the frame easier.

The built-in plug for the DeltaQ on my FXS is in a very annoying place.  Are you building an extension?  I'd love to get a parts list if you figure it out.  I simply want to put it in an easier-to-access location, with a waterproof cover of some kind.

[DonTom]

Don, I’ve got Anderson SBS75X brown plugs coming…what gauge wire did you use for your extension cable? Looks like with an 8.5amp charger, I could get away with 12Awg to keep the extension small enough to hide away in the frame easier.

Yes, 12 AWG is as thin as I would go. I have 12 AWG on my DS for my two 2.5 KW charge cables. But on my SR I use two 10 AWG and use a 3.3 KW charger on each pair of wires.


But for the 1KW Delta Q's, 12AWG is more than thick enough per charger.


There are current charts here for AWG of wire.


-Don- Auburn, CA

[MVetter]

Don, I’ve got Anderson SBS75X brown plugs coming…what gauge wire did you use for your extension cable? Looks like with an 8.5amp charger, I could get away with 12Awg to keep the extension small enough to hide away in the frame easier.

Keep in mind if you just run a positive and negative extension line you will not be getting the signal pin message from the Delta Q that send the enable signal, and the bike will disengage the contactor when turned off without any other input.

[DonTom]

Keep in mind if you just run a positive and negative extension line you will not be getting the signal pin message from the Delta Q that send the enable signal, and the bike will disengage the contactor when turned off without any other input.

Three possible fixes for that:


1. Also use the OBC (if it still works well enough to at least close the contactor).

2. Simply leave the key in and on and so the contactor will close.

3. None of the above and  do what I do.

-Don-  Auburn, CA