How to use variable power supply for charging

[CharlesBlackstone]

Hi, I'm reposting this here, my previous attempt was probably in an
inappropriate place.

I bought a variable voltage variable amp power supply to use
charging my RC batteries:

http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/857080628/index.html

I don't really understand it much though. First, should I never turn
it on if there is no load?

I will use it with either a nicd/nimh charger:
https://01836cd.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=349

or a lipoly charger:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/temilibachwl.html

In either case, should I turn the voltage to 12 volts, and the amps
to
the maximum (10), then turn on the charger? Should the charger be
hooked up and turned on with a battery connected to be charged,
before
I turn on the power supply?


Thanks very much in advance for any guidance.

Charles

 

[Mike]

On Sat, 17 May 2008 12:19:30 -0700 (PDT), CharlesBlackstone <charlesblackstone1@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi, I'm reposting this here, my previous attempt was probably in an
inappropriate place.

I bought a variable voltage variable amp power supply to use
charging my RC batteries:

http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/857080628/index.html

I don't really understand it much though. First, should I never turn
it on if there is no load?

I will use it with either a nicd/nimh charger:
https://01836cd.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=349

or a lipoly charger:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/temilibachwl.html

In either case, should I turn the voltage to 12 volts, and the amps
to
the maximum (10), then turn on the charger? Should the charger be
hooked up and turned on with a battery connected to be charged,
before
I turn on the power supply?


Thanks very much in advance for any guidance.

Charles

There's no problem turning the power supply on with no load. I would hookup
everything then turn the power supply on, but it probably makes no difference.
Lab power supplies like that one are generally pretty well protected and will
witrhstand a great deal of abuse.
The ad for one of those chargers indicates an input voltage range of 11-15v,
so set your power supply voltage within that range. Same goes for the other charger,
set the voltage within the proper range.
Set the current to a little more than you expect the charger to draw. The charger
might get confused if the input power shuts down because the current is set too low.

Mike


"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue."

 

[BobG]

I think you either use the automatic computerized chargers as
designed, or you use your lab supply in 'manual operator supervised'
mode. Read up on the charging schedule for nimh cells and simullate
that by adjusting the supply. If the cells get too hot to touch, they
are too hot.

 

[Wayne]

Hi, I'm reposting this here, my previous attempt was probably in an

inappropriate place.

I bought a variable voltage variable amp power supply to use
charging my RC batteries:

http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/857080628/index.html

I don't really understand it much though. First, should I never turn
it on if there is no load?

I will use it with either a nicd/nimh charger:
https://01836cd.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=349

or a lipoly charger:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/temilibachwl.html

In either case, should I turn the voltage to 12 volts, and the amps
to
the maximum (10), then turn on the charger? Should the charger be
hooked up and turned on with a battery connected to be charged,
before
I turn on the power supply?


Thanks very much in advance for any guidance.

Charles

Charles,

If I were in your shoes I would post your question in,

rec.models.rc.air

news group.

They deal with the RC Chargers and Batteries and constantly. I do not see
why they won't be able to help.

Wayne

 

[Robert Roland]

On Sat, 17 May 2008 12:19:30 -0700 (PDT), CharlesBlackstone
<charlesblackstone1@hotmail.com> wrote:

I bought a variable voltage variable amp power supply to use
charging my RC batteries:

http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/857080628/index.html

That looks like a nice unit. You will find lots of uses for it.

I don't really understand it much though. First, should I never turn
it on if there is no load?

No, zero load is no problem. The normal way to use it, would be to
power it up, then set the voltage and current settings, and then
connect your load.

I will use it with either a nicd/nimh charger:
https://01836cd.netsolstores.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=349

or a lipoly charger:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/temilibachwl.html

In either case, should I turn the voltage to 12 volts, and the amps
to
the maximum (10), then turn on the charger?

Yes, that will work. However, I recommend you set the voltage on the
power supply before you even connect the charger. That way, you don't
risk damaging the charger because the voltage knob was accidentally
turned too high.

Should the charger be
hooked up and turned on with a battery connected to be charged,
before
I turn on the power supply?

As mentioned above, it would be safer to switch on the power supply
and set the voltage, and then connect the charger. You will need to
check the manual for the charger for battery connection sequence.
Usually, they output nothing at all in their startup state, so you can
connect the battery and then select the charge program. In some cases,
however, you must press one button, then connect the battery, and then
press another button.
--
RoRo

 

[CharlesBlackstone]

Thank you all very much. Everything is working well now, and I think I
understand better how to use things.

The rc airplane newsgroup is unfortunately pretty dead. There are some
RC forums online though, I think RCGroups has thousands online
simultaneously at times. Unfortunately, power supplies and electronics
are only covered within a limited scope, and I came here to ask more
basic electronics questions.

Thanks again everyone for the help.....

Jim