Paul & Sabrina's cheap DIY 144v motor controller

[Royal]

Hello:

Thank you Paul for this great site. I think I can learn a great amount here. You are welcome for the gift to your fund. I know what it is like to work hard and have no rewards.

My name is Royal Walker. I live in Indiana with my lovely wife Jill. I will be fifty eight this year (2009). I have worked as a toolmaker for several years, 20+. I have always had a interest in electronics and anything mechanical.

I have experimented with Atmega micro-controllers a little.
I would like to build a controller and install it in a EV.

I have a electric wheelchair that I might try to make a new controller for. This would be a good experience for me, if that went ok I would like to build a EV.


Have a great day,

Royal Walker

[Royal]

Help!

As I am new to this can someone tell me the proper use of Post Reply, New Thread, and Post Quick Reply.
Thank you,
Royal

[Cyruscosmo]

Hello Royal

You have Posted this help request in what is called a thread. The threads name is paul-sabrinas-cheap-144v-motor-controller. The purpose of a Thread is to keep a single train of thought on a specific topic which for this thread is the controller.

If you wanted to respond to a message in this “Thread” then you would “Post a Reply”.

If you wanted to start your own “Thread” that has nothing to do with this thread then you would use the “New Thread” and your posts would then show in your own thread.

Get it?

Cyrus

[Royal]

Thanks. I think I got it.
Thank you,
Royal

[NiHaoMike]

Originally Posted by dcb

No, not with a simple constant current applied to them. and that is precisely why this discussion about charging batteries belongs in another thread (hint, hint)

And actually, Lithium ion batteries should not be charged with constant current. The correct way is to charge with current limit up to 4.2v per cell (for the most common type), then hold the voltage for a time, then stop. For optimum service life, a lower voltage should be used.

Interestingly enough, a simple "diodes and capacitors" charger is actually remarkably efficient. The only significant losses are from the rectifier diodes themselves. Not suitable for use with Lithium ion batteries, however. They work great for NiMH and lead acid. (Note that while the lead acid version will definitely require a voltage control, the NiMH version will not require any control device if the rate is low enough.)

[wjdennis]

I've started a new thread called: Open ReVolt as Charger where I've tried to explain in more detail about using the controller to let one pack supplement the other while driving. I'd appreciate any responses and suggestions.

Thanks.

Bill

[MPaulHolmes]

I'm shipping out Adrian's (unassembled) controller tomorrow. Here are a few pictures:

This will be an excellent experiment in the Kit concept in action. It's not as kit-like as I would have wanted, but time was of the essence. He will have some soldering, drilling 1 little hole, and mostly screwing stuff together. Not too bad.

[blowncurtice]

Great work Paul I will look foreward to being the first in Australia to build and try one.
anyone wanting to help Paul with his costs try this link set up by Ben.
Green Cars: Videos and More!

[mcudogs]

Hi Paul,

As an engineer who has been working with microcontrollers for over 30 years, I have nothing but admiration for your persistence and ability to pick up complex hardware & software design principles and best of all you are an aspiring comedian.

Keep up the good work mate!
mcudogs

Mazda 121 Auto EV

[watt-a-mezz]

Hey Paul, Saw the pictures of your kit, and I do like it. Do you think someone with limited electronics knowledge would be able to assemble one? If so, if you want, please let me know what the kit would cost, and (since I don't have paypal) would money order be ok? I am at jrvsglnn@ yahoo.com, if you would want to reply private. Thanks, Take care. Watt