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rmay635703 · 11-10-2014, 08:45 PM

I am looking for suggestions on what to do with NiMH cells I picked up.

The top few things I would like to do are

1. Mini Hybrid (aka boost my Volts and Insights 12v system to 15.6 volts and keep the inverter shut off for a while) But then I need a charger and a disconnect system so the car can't "see" the charging voltage.

2. Insight PHEV project, this one although #2 on the list is probably #1 for ease and also would motivate me to get a MIMA or IMAC setup, Heck a good anderson connector, a charger (already have a dumb glacial 1.2 amp 170v unit (which charges 144v NiMH OK) would make this easy and best of all the batteries fit right in and even have a fiberglass carrying case that can replace my trunk.

3. Get some high amp diodes and run either my C-car or my Fathers Miles zx40 on paralleled strings (separately charged) for a 48v, 60v or 72 volt pack
60-90 ahr might be good enough, would be better if I could parallel them with lead or lithium but NiMH just has too much charge and discharge range to cooperate with them well. I tried figuring out how to match up the right number of cells and also use the old don't charge above 75% so you stay out of the knee crap but can't figure it out, looks impossible as the amount of discharge you would get would be poor, though the batteries would last forever.

Anyway

I don't think NiMH cares if it discharges in parallel too much its just the charging that has to be done separately and then link up when you are ready to rock.

So what do you think I should do with the real deal in terms of low temperature capable batteries?

Replacing the 12v systems I think would require a method again of paralleling and charging separately.

144v insight is cool but the insight can't run strictly EV (though I have often wondered why no one didn't just put an output shaft on the main cog of a MT transaxle so you could hook up an AC motor to the final drive while the gasser stayed clutched and geared)

Also understand I only have stupid chargers and garbage I have built, I can build anything to charge very slowly and stupidly but am limited to smart 48v chargers and obviously smart 12v lead chargers along with dumb 12v, 72v, 144v chargers.

The main limitation will be the charging method for me, I have a way figured out but it won't be elegant. If you know of any cheap methods I am all ears.

Ah well

Cheers
Ryan

11-10-2014, 08:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
rmay635703 home of the odd vehicles Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere in WI Posts: 3,891 Silver - '10 Chevy Cobalt XFE Thanks: 506 Thanked 867 Times in 654 Posts	158 volts of 30ahr NiMH what to do? I am looking for suggestions on what to do with NiMH cells I picked up. The top few things I would like to do are 1. Mini Hybrid (aka boost my Volts and Insights 12v system to 15.6 volts and keep the inverter shut off for a while) But then I need a charger and a disconnect system so the car can't "see" the charging voltage. 2. Insight PHEV project, this one although #2 on the list is probably #1 for ease and also would motivate me to get a MIMA or IMAC setup, Heck a good anderson connector, a charger (already have a dumb glacial 1.2 amp 170v unit (which charges 144v NiMH OK) would make this easy and best of all the batteries fit right in and even have a fiberglass carrying case that can replace my trunk. 3. Get some high amp diodes and run either my C-car or my Fathers Miles zx40 on paralleled strings (separately charged) for a 48v, 60v or 72 volt pack 60-90 ahr might be good enough, would be better if I could parallel them with lead or lithium but NiMH just has too much charge and discharge range to cooperate with them well. I tried figuring out how to match up the right number of cells and also use the old don't charge above 75% so you stay out of the knee crap but can't figure it out, looks impossible as the amount of discharge you would get would be poor, though the batteries would last forever. Anyway I don't think NiMH cares if it discharges in parallel too much its just the charging that has to be done separately and then link up when you are ready to rock. So what do you think I should do with the real deal in terms of low temperature capable batteries? Replacing the 12v systems I think would require a method again of paralleling and charging separately. 144v insight is cool but the insight can't run strictly EV (though I have often wondered why no one didn't just put an output shaft on the main cog of a MT transaxle so you could hook up an AC motor to the final drive while the gasser stayed clutched and geared) Also understand I only have stupid chargers and garbage I have built, I can build anything to charge very slowly and stupidly but am limited to smart 48v chargers and obviously smart 12v lead chargers along with dumb 12v, 72v, 144v chargers. The main limitation will be the charging method for me, I have a way figured out but it won't be elegant. If you know of any cheap methods I am all ears. Ah well Cheers Ryan