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[josequinones]

I  got my charger from ElCon this week, not part of the group buy, but just for clarification purposes:

The charger comes with a Sumitomo AC connector but it also includes a Sumitomo to NEMA 5-15P standard AC plug cable.

For the DC side, they provided a 4 foot long adapter from the Anderson Gray connector on the charger to the Brown one the Zero has by the motor for $25. Apparently these were sourced from Zero.

So it is pretty much plug and play.

The only issue I am having is I can not get it to charge without the OBC.  The reason I bought it was to have an option if (when) the OBC dies.

So for now I am charging at 4.6 kW @ 220v plugged into my 10-30R dryer plug with a Parkworld 10-30P to NEMA 5-20R adapter and a NEMA 5-15 1-3 splitter to plug both the OBC and the ElCon into the 220 circuit.

[StableofZeros]

Try unplugging your OBC, the connector up against the back of the battery. Then it will still engage the charger contactor but no power going to the battery from OBC. The elcon will charge as long as nothing else is disconnected.

[DonTom]

The only issue I am having is I can not get it to charge without the OBC. 

Contactor must be closed for it to accept a charge.


Two ways to solve that problem.


1. Leave the key in, turn the bike on to charge and leave the key on. Do not remove key until charging is completed.


Or . . .


2. Do this. Then you can leave the key out while it is being charged.




-Don-  Auburn, CA

[josequinones]

Don,

Option 1 works, but what I and other people need to know is that the bike will charge that way, but the green charging LED will not turn on, but it will charge.

Thanks!

[MVetter]

If you charge without an enable signal present the BMS will not cell balance at the top end.

[josequinones]

If I'm charging without the OBC, if the ElCon stops at 95%, does it even get to the cell balancing stage? My Elcon is not CANBUS enabled. Thanks.

[DonTom]

If I'm charging without the OBC, if the ElCon stops at 95%, does it even get to the cell balancing stage? My Elcon is not CANBUS enabled. Thanks.

AFAIK, you will  have to use the OBC to get to the completed cell balancing. But as I have said before, one thing that is more important than having the balancing done is to not be out of balance.  Check the balance once in a while.  If the cells are not way out of balance, do not worry about it.


It seems to me the entire thing in contradictory anyway. Many  say to charge only to 80% or so, for better battery life, when the extra range is not needed.  They also tell you to balance your cells you must let the charge complete to 100%. Also for better battery life. So which is best?


Perhaps the best way is to only charge to 100% when you notice your cells need balancing as shown on the Zero App.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[MVetter]

If I'm charging without the OBC, if the ElCon stops at 95%, does it even get to the cell balancing stage? My Elcon is not CANBUS enabled. Thanks.

I definitely wouldn't charge above 80% without an enable.

[Crissa]

So which is best?

There is no best.  It is situational.

-Crissa

[evdjerome]

You mind posting a pic of what you were sent? Or a link to an unboxing vid?

I  got my charger from ElCon this week, not part of the group buy, but just for clarification purposes:

The charger comes with a Sumitomo AC connector but it also includes a Sumitomo to NEMA 5-15P standard AC plug cable.

For the DC side, they provided a 4 foot long adapter from the Anderson Gray connector on the charger to the Brown one the Zero has by the motor for $25. Apparently these were sourced from Zero.

So it is pretty much plug and play.

The only issue I am having is I can not get it to charge without the OBC.  The reason I bought it was to have an option if (when) the OBC dies.

So for now I am charging at 4.6 kW @ 220v plugged into my 10-30R dryer plug with a Parkworld 10-30P to NEMA 5-20R adapter and a NEMA 5-15 1-3 splitter to plug both the OBC and the ElCon into the 220 circuit.

[DonTom]

I definitely wouldn't charge above 80% without an enable.

For what reasons? And is this enable on the OBD2 connector, and what type of signal is it looking for to enable? And what is it really doing?


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[josequinones]

Here is what arrived.

The DC adapter from the gray to the brown connector was an additional $25.

[DonTom]

Here is what arrived.

The DC adapter from the gray to the brown connector was an additional $25.

You can remove that mounting plate, if you're not going to use it. I removed both of mine.


That $25.00 was well spent. Otherwise, the output cable is way too short.


BTW, I made my own extensions,  both using the smaller 50 amp Anderson connector on each end. As I wired mine in direct to the motor controller batt input lugs.

-Don-  Auburn, CA

[josequinones]

Yes I will probably remove the plate but It really needs some handles to make it easier to move it around. Maybe put some rubber feet in those bottom mounting holes after removing the plate to keep the bottom off the ground.

[josequinones]

I will probably end up doing something like this: