GoldenMotor.com Forum

General Category => General Discussions => Topic started by: JonMcClain on October 13, 2008, 03:40:14 PM

Title: Anyone Know of a 48v SLA Charger that Works?
Post by: JonMcClain on October 13, 2008, 03:40:14 PM

Well, I just noticed that the second standard charger that I have purchased no longer puts out 48v+ volts.  In each case the chargers lasted about 2 or 3 charge cycles.  Both chargers now indicate 10 or 11 volts on the meter.  At $60 a throw this could get expensive.  And, naturally no one in Houston has a 48v charger.   My thought is that I could wire the bike to work with 2 - 24v charge units.  Are these more reliable?  Any other suggestions concerning charging techniques?  Can anyone suggest a brand or source that is reliable? Thanks

PS:  Been working on converting my Trek Navigator 200 to electric,  Ordered 48v motor and regen controller from GM.  Original controller was bad!  Emailed Phil about replacement but no one responded.  Finally, just ordered another controller and got a quick response ($$$).  Then hurricane Ike hit and finally got controller about a week ago.  (This one came with half twist throttle).   The bike runs great, but now I don't have a way to charge the SLA batteries.  Did manage fabricate a battery rack system so that I can carry 4 - 18AH SLAs.  Bike is heavy but handles well.  Will send photos soon!

Title: Re: Anyone Know of a 48v SLA Charger that Works?
Post by: nitecheck on October 15, 2008, 11:18:45 AM

Hi Jon

If you are having problems with chargers not working correctly after a few uses - it wood be a good idea to run a multimeter over the batteries & the pack to see if there is problem with wiring or a battery that may be damaging the chargers.

I charge my 48v SLA battery pack - pretty much twice a day with a 48v e-scooter charger (cheap chinese electric motorcycles type).
Cost about $48 off ebay - they do pop from time to time @ realistic prices.
The eibike sellers were asking as much as $100.00 for similar chargers!! >:(
example: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/48V-Lead-Acid-SLA-Charger-4-Electric-Bicycle-Trike_W0QQitemZ260296627342QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
It pays to think outside the box - as you can get 48v chargers for other such as mobility chairs, e-scooters etc which will work fine.
Just need to get a 48v model that is suitable for your AH's.

You could always pick up a cheap 36v charger or use your own if you already have one to charge 3 batteries & charge one battery with a 12v car charger - but this could be a real pain - but is a good band-aid until you a 48v pops up for sale. 

I use 4 12v car battery chargers to deep charge my SLA's individually about every dozen "cycles" - once a week or so.
(these chargers are the cheapie - $14.00 items -brought 1 each pay day at the local car parts shop)

Charging in a cool area - like a concrete floor of the garage - seems to get the best results. Before & after charging - I check the pack & individual batteries with the yet another cheap item - a $12 multi meter. This allows any lower discharged batteries to be identified & given more time to charge up to similar volts as the others. I float charge with the 48v charger for about 1hr before long rides just to top up the pack. This setup has worked well for over 18 mths - even though the batteries are deep discharged often. The batteries are storing less than when new but still cheaper for me to use them with this set up than paying crazy prices LIFEPO4 packs are demanding.

Hope this helps