battery charger "on the go"

celestino_galan

I am trying to do a boebot self charger...

1 I have done to auto test the level of the bateries
2 I think I can get the boebot to get the charger dock... and to "plug" itself
3 but 1 question; Is it possible to charge the batteries without unpluging the boebot
(something like: ... stop till you know (1) the bateries are ok... and at the same time the charger is charging the bateries 4)
4 This could be 2 ways: the charger "tells" Boebot when it is finish... or just Boebot measuring at the same time (1)

But I need help with the 3 point


Thank tou very much!!!

LoopyByteloose

Your question is 'Is it possible to charge batteries without unpluging[noparse][[/noparse]turning off] the boebot?'

Sure, the charge can both provide power to charge the battery AND run the boebot. Though I don't see the boebot going anywhere while charging.

Rather than have a mechanical switch do this [noparse][[/noparse]there are problems with having a moment when everything might be off], you simply provide a bit higher voltage to the batteries than they are putting out when fully charged. But the current must be limited. With NiCads, the charge rate must be limited to about 1/30 to 1/10 the AmpHour rating. Otherwise you wear out the batteries quickly. Don't include current limiting to the boebot, just to the battery. The boebot will merely consume what it needs and has its own voltage regulator to sort out the higher charging voltage [noparse][[/noparse]but don't go very high above the normal battery voltage].

It would also be a good idea to sense the temperature on the charging batteries and stop the charge if they get too warm [noparse][[/noparse]you can restart when they cool].

The real trick is to have a good dock. IR can work as a beacon for the boebot to find it, but the actual electrical contacts must be solid. If they bounce in and out, all sorts of problems may occur and the BasicStamp will likely reset due to voltage spikes. It is up to you to design a good interlock that turn on only after a proper electrical connection is made.

Good luck

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"Everything in the world is purchased by labour; and our passions are the only causes of labor." -- David·Hume (1711-76)········

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

celestino_galan

Thanks Kramer, but what about the charger.

Do you know this RCmodel cargers for battery packs? yes, and they start automaticaly to charge... , yes, and they detect the "pic charge courve" to stop charging...

what could happen then if the Boebot is "alive"? Does it "interfiere" in the charge process and maybe the charger would'nt do its process properly?

Thanks

sam_sam_sam

celestino_galan

but 1 question; Is it possible to charge the batteries without unpluging the boebot
(something like: ... stop till you know (1) the bateries are ok... and at the same time the charger is charging the bateries 4)

This depends on the charger that you are using if you using one that scense
interal resistance of the battery (mic controled based· charger then no you· would not be able to leave the boebot on when charging

I know this part because i use this type of charger to charge the nicad battery that i have with this type of charger the batter last longer i think

Now if you use a·current limiting· type charger ·set up· this should work fine but you need to know what the current is on the boebot is in the charging part of the code then add this to the part that Kramer was talking about



But the current must be limited. With NiCads, the charge rate must be limited to about 1/30 to 1/10 the AmpHour rating. Otherwise you wear out the batteries quickly ..........This is true

Don't include current limiting to the boebot,...................................

·You will have to·add· current limiting·to the boebot·because if you do not then you charging current will be lower then then what you are saying here

······· 1/30 to 1/10 the AmpHour rating)

·..............................................................·just to the battery.

The boebot will merely consume what it needs and has its own voltage regulator to sort out the higher charging voltage· This is also true as far as the voltage

[noparse][[/noparse]but don't go very high above the normal battery voltage].

This should be not higher than the normal Charging ·battery voltage

which i think is about 2 volts above battery voltage Max this i am not sure about this part

It would also be a good idea to sense the temperature on the charging batteries and stop the charge if they get too warm [noparse][[/noparse]you can restart when they cool].
This would also be a good· ·This also true

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··Thanks for any··that you may have and all of your time finding them

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Sam

Post Edited (sam_sam_sam) : 10/16/2007 9:15:37 PM GMT

celestino_galan

Thanks,

what about this (2115) one: http://www.mascot.no/uk/nyeprodukter.asp?mod=7


Thank you