Help! Battery and charger compatibility

[Slightlypedantic]

Hello,

The supplier says that the 42V charger supplied with my 36V conversion kit is correct, because the fully charged voltage would actually be about 42V. Is this normal, or should I expect a 36V charger?

I would be really glad to hear from anyone who understands the electrical side.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sjpt]

Yes, a nominal 36v battery actually varies from around 42v full to around 30v empty, so 42v charger is correct.

Some semi-digested second hand tips ...
Apparently charging to a bit lower than 42v will let the battery last longer and won't lose much capacity.
BUT some say you need a full charge at least sometimes to keep it balanced.
Try not to keep it at its fully charged 42v for too long
If it's to be unused for a few weeks or more try to get it down to 60% charge.
Don't let it get completely flat (30v), if it does charge it back up again asap.

 

[Nealh]

42v charger is needed for a 36v battery, 36v is only approx. 45% charged.

 

[Bikes4two]

Hello,

I would be really glad to hear from anyone who understands the electrical side.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the world of e-biking and your learning experience starts here and I'd recommend you learn as much as you can about understanding how e-bikes work. The more you get to understand the more you'll avoid potential problems and getting told a lot of bullsh1t from (some) suppliers.

 

[Nealh]

Hello,

The supplier says that the 42V charger supplied with my 36V conversion kit is correct, because the fully charged voltage would actually be about 42V. Is this normal, or should I expect a 36V charger?

I would be really glad to hear from anyone who understands the electrical side.

Thanks in advance.

Tell us which bike you have & the battery Ah or Wh figures.

 

[Slightlypedantic]

Thanks everybody, that's reassuring. I hadn't appreciated that the battery voltage fully charged would be so much more than the nominal 36V.

The battery and charger came as part of a conversion kit supplied by a reputable online supplier. Nevertheless I just wanted to check that I wasn't being told porkies. I didn't mention the supplier's name as I didn't want to tarnish their reputation unfairly.

Nealh - The battery is marked HL1 (looks identical to a Hailong battery apart from branding) and it's 13 A.hr - so, 36 x 13 = 468W.hr. I peeped inside (without damaging the seal) but the cells are hidden under blue shrink wrap, so I couldn't see what make/model they are. I'll just have to take care of it - sjpt's tips sound very sensible.

FWIW, the controller (model YCSH-D, integral with the battery base) is marked 36V (obviously!), maximum current 15+/-1A and under-voltage protection 29+/-1V. No programming socket but perhaps there is one lurking inside... but no fiddling until it's well run in, if at all.

Thanks again all, you've put my mind at rest.