EZ SE AC Adapter

bdebde · #1 10-19-2003, 05:50 PM

Do you hate the way that AAA's always go dead. Well, here is an easy way to overcome the downside of charging your SE with the AAA batteries. This has added power and runtime to all my stock Zip Zap SE's, and will be excellent for my newly mosfet modified SE (on it's way back from micro_Amps). It also adds range if using the controller plugged in, if near an outlet.

I used a multi voltage power supply from Radio Shack. It has 800ma output. I got the multi voltage because it was the same price as the 6 volt 800ma one. I also wanted to step down from the 3 volt 1000ma that I was using for previous Zip Zaps. Now I have a power supply that does both.

Here is the first pic

bdebde · #2 10-19-2003, 05:53 PM

I drilled a hole in the battery cover and slotted it so it was open in the back (to slide around wire)

bdebde · #3 10-19-2003, 05:57 PM

I drilled a hole in the top of the battery holder to pass the leads of the adapter pigtail through. One end comes with the power supply, look for the one with short leads and bare wire ends.

bdebde · #4 10-19-2003, 06:04 PM

Then solder the leads to the battery tabs in the battery holder. The striped wire is positive if the "+" on the pigtail is aligned with the "tip" on the adaptor. I did mine without the use for batteries as I have other controllers. If you are care of the wire routing and solder connections, you may still be able to use batteries in there as well. WARNING, DO NOT PUT BATTERIES IN IT WHEN PLUGGED IN OR VICE VERSA, BATTERY DAMAGE WILL OCCUR!

kevinsupra90 · #5 11-02-2003, 04:40 PM

I'll have to try that one.

GerG · #6 12-21-2003, 02:22 PM

How much did u pay for every thing

potentiality · #7 12-23-2003, 05:51 AM

It wouldnt be so bad if we could figure a safety circuit that wouldnt let you turn it on if both the batteries and charger were hooked up.

Also, with the stock nimh. Are there any dc pulse peak chargers out there than can get to such a low voltage to work on these?

Barring that, anyone know the estimated peak charge time using the default nimh two cell is?

Someone gave me this formula, but I dont know the batteries specifics yet.

Quote:

Charging time = battery capacity(mAhx1.4)/charging current.

For a battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh the charging time is about 19 hours.

charliebrown · #8 12-26-2003, 12:08 PM

Let me clear this up for you.

The formula for battery charging time is this:

Divide the capacity of the battery being charged by the output of whatever is charging it, then you get a certain number. Multiply that number by 1.2 (You have to increase the charging time by 20% due to battery inefficiency), and then multiply it by 60 to get minutes. Then you will have another number (indicating minutes), you will have to multiply anything after the decimal by 60 to convert to seconds.

Example: Let's say the capacity of the battery you are charging is 70 mah, and the output of the charger is around 500 ma.

Divide 70 by 500 to get 0.14, then multiply that by 1.2= 0.14 times 1.2= 0.168.

Then, you have to multiply that by 60 to get minutes, so 0.168 times 60 is 10.08 minutes. Now, after the decimal is .08, so multiply that by 60 to get 4.8, rounded up to 5, So, you have to charge the 70 mah battery at a rate of 500 ma for 10 minutes and 5 seconds.

Credit goes to actofgod & Namuna for this strategy.

Chuckster...

potentiality · #9 12-26-2003, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the info!

What is the output to the controller chargers on the SE? I ask because the controller itself is still drawing some power during the charging phase.

cheesehead · #10 01-23-2004, 05:28 PM

I was wondering if the method of Peak charging with a voltmeter would work. We could find when the voltage dips, get a zener diode for that voltage, and pop it in there. Viola! Instant Peak Charger!
I think I might just go with the old-fashioned method of soldering the wires on, as I have a spare charger. Alternately, just drop in the "battery cartridge" when you want to go.
My car is getting pitiful runtimes, and I do'nt think its been overcharged.