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Author Topic: Charge at reduced current?  (Read 684 times)

Kocho

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Charge at reduced current?
« on: May 06, 2016, 03:54:53 AM »

Is there a setting to reduce the charging power of the built-in charger? It uses 12-13 A and that is too much for some circuits that I want to use. Plus, like all electronics, the charger I presume will tend to run cooler at lower power levels (being placed in an enclosed space under the battery does not help). Also, charging at half power allows using a cheaper and lighter extension cords, so I can park farther away from outlets or reach outlets that I would otherwise only be able to reach with an heavy-duty expensive extension cord...

Also, my battery will usually fully charge in just a few hours (I seldom use more than half of it in one ride), so even at half power I'd be fully charged overnight.

I could not find instructions for changing the charging power in the user manual - any ideas?

Thanks!
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'15 Zero SR

BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Charge at reduced current?
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2016, 04:11:15 AM »

The onboard charger comes in four units arranged in two parallel series of two. So, if you're interested in doing the work (or paying a professional), you may be able to make the adjustment you want. I suppose if you need to go that low, it'd be worthwhile to make it togglable (while de-energized) to take advantage of modern circuits.

Aside: If it's true you're using circuits that can't handle it, they may not pass your local electrical code or you have too many loads on one breaker and could be happier just routing a separate breaker for that line.
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Current: 2020 DSR, 2012 Suzuki V-Strom
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Kocho

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Re: Charge at reduced current?
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2016, 04:19:31 AM »

The outlet I often use at work has some other equipment on it that I can't (shouldn't) disconnect. It has worked fine up to 1kW with my Vectrix, but I don't want to risk tripping a fuse somewhere I have no idea where it is located and nave no access to reset, so I've been using only 0.8kW usually. The Vectrix charger was adjustable on the fly for anything from 600 to 1,600W...

I may look into how the SR chargers are connected. If there are indeed 2 pairs that can easily be separated and there aren't "smarts" that insist on all of them working, it should not be too difficult to add a toggle switch of some sort to use 2 or all 4...

The onboard charger comes in four units arranged in two parallel series of two. So, if you're interested in doing the work (or paying a professional), you may be able to make the adjustment you want. I suppose if you need to go that low, it'd be worthwhile to make it togglable (while de-energized) to take advantage of modern circuits.

Aside: If it's true you're using circuits that can't handle it, they may not pass your local electrical code or you have too many loads on one breaker and could be happier just routing a separate breaker for that line.
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Doug S

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Re: Charge at reduced current?
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2016, 04:27:12 AM »

I'd look into the Diginow charger, if you aren't already. Brandon (Electric Cowboy) has said that it can be throttled back below the charging current of the stock charger, so that's one more point in its favor.

Of course, the real benefit of the Diginow charger is at the other end of the charging spectrum!
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Yon

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Re: Charge at reduced current?
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2016, 04:59:56 AM »

For 2014 - forward the charger is a single CALEX unit and not the 4 Meanwells. I believe I saw a setting to restrict the charge current via the master bike board. No longer have a working OBD dongle to access and check.
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