January 18, 20206 yr Hi, I realise battery chargers get warm but mine seem rather warmer than I am used to. I have never had ebike chargers before, just comparing to other tyoes. Thanks
January 18, 20206 yr Hi, I realise battery chargers get warm but mine seem rather warmer than I am used to. I have never had ebike chargers before, just comparing to other tyoes. Thanks I tend to think like you, hot electronics = shorter life! And some do get very warm, so only use them in a well ventilated position, perhaps on a "rack" that allows cooler air to be sucked up from directly underneath. Never cover a charger with anything. The charger on my previous bike got quite hot, but ran fine (excepting for a cable break in the connector that I had to repair once) for over 6 years in total. I could still hold it in my "sensitive skin" hands though.:mad:My test of temperature, so eternally it was under 40°C.... My current bike, the charger has a minuscule tiny fan built in, very quiet, and naturally ventilation holes, so it barely gets warm at all. Both chargers were 36 Volt Li-ion chargers and both were max 2 amp. Maybe you can find on ebay either a new charger with fan, or maybe add a small external fan? I myself, if it got really hot (hotter than my skin will handle), might get tempted to open a charger up, once the guarantee has finished, and add a tiny external fan, and a few small holes to allow cool air in and warm air out. But only do that if you have all the necessary knowledge to do that safely. Something like this may work:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Pc-4010-40MM-40-40-10-Cooling-Fan-12V-0-8W-0-06A-3Pin-Cooler-Heatsink-Mini-G1/202861885203?hash=item2f3b82b713:g:1~AAAOSw9MRdzTOa Remember though, that if you charge outside, the holes may let in moisture!! regards Andy
January 18, 20206 yr Does it get too hot to touch, hot to touch or just warm to touch? Is there a rating for the output voltage and current on it?
January 18, 20206 yr my bosch charger gets real hot when working it would be more than you would expect heat wise.
January 18, 20206 yr Author Hi, appreciate those replies, I will look at ratings etc , still under warranty but fan idea sounds useful. Will post ratings when I’m home Many thanks
January 18, 20206 yr Author Hi, appreciate those replies, I will look at ratings etc , still under warranty but fan idea sounds useful. Will post ratings when I’m home Many thanks Hi, appreciate those replies, I will look at ratings etc , still under warranty but fan idea sounds useful. Will post ratings when I’m home Many thanks
January 18, 20206 yr They all get hot no matter their rating. The disadvantage of the fan cooled ones is if the fan fails, they will fry, because they are designed to run cooler. This thread shows some ideas on mods for better cooling. https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-sans-charger-mods-adjustments.33613/#post-479392
January 18, 20206 yr They all get hot no matter their rating. The disadvantage of the fan cooled ones is if the fan fails, they will fry, because they are designed to run cooler. This thread shows some ideas on mads you can do. https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-sans-charger-mods-adjustments.33613/#post-479392 Over a great many years, I have had the completely opposite experience with fan cooled power supplies, mainly with regard to computers, chargers and other equipment. The fan cooled ones definitely last far longer, as even the fan is not really stressed at all. Furthermore, a DIY hobbyist could pick a fan design with a sensor included (many types of CPU fan for example), that warns if the fan does not turn for any reason, and it could even be so arranged, that the power supply/charger, remains in a state where no heat is actually generated, e.g. not charging or supplying current! But as with just about anything, if the design is of poor quality in the first place, then even fan cooled supplies will not last forever, but still far longer than the same supply without a fan! I have over 50 years of firsthand experience with power supplies, chargers and similar (I used to design chargers for my own use), and I would always recommend fan cooled, as those without are definitely going to fail first, as you said, they do get hot! Naturally, WHERE they are used could also play a role and charging outside, where rain water might get into a fan cooled supply, will definitely shorten the life of any electro-mechanical or electronic components drastically... One has to be a bit careful. Regards and a happy new year Andy
January 18, 20206 yr i have a 1200w psu in my server it has been on nearly ten years tho it did cost £250 you get what you pay for
January 18, 20206 yr Author Thanks again, it’s reassuring to know that they all get hot, I was a bit worried. Brian
January 18, 20206 yr I suggest you leave the charger alone, when its providing the full charging current it might be giving off over 20W of heat this will make the case feel quiet hot. When the battery is fully charged or disconnected the charger should feel cool, you might want to check that.
January 18, 20206 yr Author I suggest you leave the charger alone, when its providing the full charging current it might be giving off over 20W of heat this will make the case feel quiet hot. When the battery is fully charged or disconnected the charger should feel cool, you might want to check that. Yes it feels cool when disconnected.
January 18, 20206 yr Also as a newbie can anyone recommend an ebike magazine please. i would recommend none those days are long gone https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Txz5nUDD14vCdNSU_JydQ https://www.youtube.com/user/ElectricBikeReview
January 18, 20206 yr Author i would recommend none those days are long gone https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Txz5nUDD14vCdNSU_JydQ https://www.youtube.com/user/ElectricBikeReview Wow ok thanks
January 18, 20206 yr Also as a newbie can anyone recommend an ebike magazine please. E-Mountainbike, it’s a free app.
January 19, 20206 yr Yes it feels cool when disconnected. ...but the mains is still connected, just connection to the battery broken? If yes, then it "suggests" that the charger uses "Switched Mode" type of electronics design, available cheaply in chips and is to my mind the best method nowadays! It is generally around 90% efficiency as a "ballpark" figure, sometimes even better! It wastes only a little power when the battery is fully charged. regards Andy
January 19, 20206 yr Author ...but the mains is still connected, just connection to the battery broken? If yes, then it "suggests" that the charger uses "Switched Mode" type of electronics design, available cheaply in chips and is to my mind the best method nowadays! It is generally around 90% efficiency as a "ballpark" figure, sometimes even better! It wastes only a little power when the battery is fully charged. regards Andy Totally disconnected, Andy
January 19, 20206 yr ...but the mains is still connected, just connection to the battery broken? If yes, then it "suggests" that the charger uses "Switched Mode" type of electronics design, available cheaply in chips and is to my mind the best method nowadays! It is generally around 90% efficiency as a "ballpark" figure, sometimes even better! It wastes only a little power when the battery is fully charged. regards Andy Of course its a switching mode supply (SMPS), it couldn't possibly be a linear one with that size. Efficiency of a switching mode supply is typically in the 80 to 90% range but cheap ones from the Far East are often lower. Both switching mode and linear power supplies of any sensible design will give off less heat when the load is reduced. The test to see whether this was the case with cyclenut1952's power supply was to check that it was working OK in that respect! Electronics has moved on since the 1970's!!!
January 19, 20206 yr Author Of course its a switching mode supply (SMPS), it couldn't possibly be a linear one with that size. Efficiency of a switching mode supply is typically in the 80 to 90% range but cheap ones from the Far East are often lower. Both switching mode and linear power supplies of any sensible design will give off less heat when the load is reduced. The test to see whether this was the case with cyclenut1952's power supply was to check that it was working OK in that respect! Electronics has moved on since the 1970's!!! Thanks ebiker99
January 19, 20206 yr Totally disconnected, Andy Then its not a proper test. Anything removed from the mains will cool down naturally! If you wish to repeat the test, charge up the battery, observe that the charger heats up, but when the charger indicates full charge, generally a green LED, or you could pull the connection to the battery out, see that it cools down over the next 20 minutes or so. The cooler the better the circuitry! Generally speaking, any charger/power supply, should not get so hot, that it makes it uncomfortable to hold for any length of time. Being hot (sadly!) eventually shortens the working life of affected components inside the unit. If I can assist further, just ask, as there are many here who can help. regards Andy
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