How do I charge my Spree's battery?

mousewheels · Post by **mousewheels** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:44 pm

Let's sum up what's been posted, and you can help with where you would like more information.

Keithw showed how to build your own charger.

Kenny gave some advice and an example of charging at the extreme.

I included links to commercial chargers that would work. Including the Battery Tender that Wheelman is suggesting.

And we discussed approx ranges of auto battery chargers that could be used in a pinch for a short period of time to get a scooter started.
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keithw · Post by **keithw** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:23 am

The Battery Tender is a good choice. I've got one and have been happy with it. They are a bit pricey.

keithw

Fixin' Spree · Post by **Fixin' Spree** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:58 am

Anything less pricey than the Battery Tender that you gents know? I'm a college student on an incredibly low budget, looking for a one-time (or so) charge.

Thanks again!

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:55 pm

Yep, check the wall wart post toward the top. You should be able to put one together for a buck or two.

keithw

steffen707 · Post by **steffen707** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:48 pm

keithw wrote:Yep, check the wall wart post toward the top. You should be able to put one together for a buck or two.

keithw

Can I just use an old netgear ac to dc converter?

mousewheels · Post by **mousewheels** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:50 pm

Anything less pricey than the Battery Tender that you gents know? I'm a college student on an incredibly low budget, looking for a one-time (or so) charge.

Dont feel bad, lots of folks dont have a scooter sized battery charger for cost reasons.

Another idea:
Get the initial charge from a friend, motorcycle shop. If your college has a power EE Lab or you have an electronics friend with a DC power supply. Set current limit at around 0.5 to 0.8A, voltage at 14.4v, charge 8-12hrs. Make sure to double check polarity as you connect the battery, reversed connections could fry the power supply.

Once you get to a fully charged battery, the float charger below at $5.95 will keep your battery charged. Manual says this is not for charging, just maintaining charge. Voltage output is set on purpose below the level that would give a full charge.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42292

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:59 pm

If the Netgear power supply is a 12vdc one it will work fine.

keithw

steffen707 · Post by **steffen707** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:49 am

i've got like a ton of ac to dc power inverters. I'll have to check on them if they are 12-14 volt or not though.

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:29 am

That is something I can never seem to bring myself to throw away. Got a drawer full myself.

keithw

steffen707 · Post by **steffen707** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:18 pm

keithw wrote:That is something I can never seem to bring myself to throw away. Got a drawer full myself.

keithw

Yeah i use to build computers when younger then built point of sale systems for subway restaurant in northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan. Finally threw away all the Styrofoam and cardboard from my basement. TONS OF JUNK.

steffen707 · Post by **steffen707** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:22 pm

BOOYAAA, netgear ac to dc adapter that i've got 12 volt and 1200mA,

wait! is 1200mA the same as 1.2amps?

Mouse, you said before

Carrying that over to a scooter sized battery 3 to 4 Amp hr, that would put a charger at 300/400mA max and a 'boost' charge to less than 8A. That's ballpark, battery manufactures specify max charge current.

So i guess this isn't a good adapter to use?

mousewheels · Post by **mousewheels** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:03 pm

I don't think 1.2A will be a problem.

Keith's simple charger idea is resourceful.

Two comments:
1) Check the open circuit voltage. It definitely should be over 13.2v, and ideally 14.2 to 14.4. If its over 13.2 (the float charge voltage), protect your battery's life by removing it from charge after a few hours.

2) Use an expendable wall wart. (not a problem for you steffen!

)

Wall warts will typically have a thermal cutout (one time heat sensitive fuse) inside. If the transformer gets too hot, that will open, On the good side, its to prevent conditions that could start a fire.

If you attach a simple wall wart to a low battery, it is possible for the battery to draw more current than the wall wart is designed for. Extra heat is generated, and may over time pop that thermal fuse. That will leave you with a dead wall wart.

===
P.S. Anyone interested in building a regulated charge/float stage to add on to the wall wart? Wouldn't take much - just soldering skils and a multimeter.

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:13 pm

One way you can limit the current is with a 12v light bulb is series with the battery. If the battery is dead the bulb shines brightly and gets dimmer as the battery charges. A 12watt bulb will only pass about an amp.

The 1.2 amp ,1200 ma, charger shouls be fine. Add the light bulb if in doubt.

keithw

steffen707 · Post by **steffen707** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:54 pm

i was just at walmart today, and their floating motorcycle charger is 20 bucks. Quite affordable for me. Do you need to tend batteries if you disconnect them from the scooter and leave them in 70 degree basement?

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:55 pm

keithw wrote:One way you can limit the current is with a 12v light bulb is series with the battery. If the battery is dead the bulb shines brightly and gets dimmer as the battery charges. A 12watt bulb will only pass about an amp.

The 1.2 amp ,1200 ma, charger shouls be fine. Add the light bulb if in doubt.

keithw

Thanks for the tip!!! This makes the giant charger useful.