Powacycle Charging Questions

[Del 80]

Hi, when charging the battery on a Powacycle Salisbury, how does one know when the battery is fully charged ? there does not seem to be an indicator unless the power is turned on, also the charge indicator on top of the battery, when switched on all 3 sections light up, e.g.empty.....halfway......and full.....with the full indicator being dimmer than the others....is this normal ? any help appreciated. Del.

 

[flecc]

The charger cuts off when the battery is fully charged, and from memory on your one the colour of the charging LED on the charger changes from red to green.

 

[Del 80]

flecc, on this one the LED is on top of the battery itself, all three lights are red, with green, amber and red markings, the chap I bought it from said that it had been like it from new, and that the top, or green [fully charged] light had always been dimmer than the other two, just checking if this normal, thanks for reply, Del.

 

[flecc]

Those are dim, but they only crudely show the content, not the end of charge. The charger for the Salisbury that I have seen some while ago also had an LED on the top, red when charging but changing to green when the charge stopped as the battery reached full charge.

It's the charger that shuts off at the end of charge when the battery's internal electronics (BMS) signals cells are full, the charger's LED indicating that.

 

[Del 80]

Thanks flecc, got it on charge as we speak, did'nt realise LED on charger turned green when charge complete, newbies huh ?.....Del.

 

[flecc]

We all have to start somewhere Del, just fire away with any questions and everyone in here will be happy to help.

 

[Del 80]

flecc, you were right, the LED on charger has just turned green, after about 3 hours, spot on thanks. Del.

 

[Del 80]

Just put battery on charge, and LED is showing green, have only done about ten miles on bike since last charge, so thought would ''top it up'', is this normal? or should LED be showing red ? any help appreciated......Del.

 

[flecc]

I'd have expected it to charge ok after 10 miles. Try changing the switch-on sequence. Unplug everything and wait a few minutes, then plug in the charger and switch it on. Then plug in the battery to the charger and see if it starts charging then.

If not, repeat the above, but this time plug everything in before you switch on the mains to the charger to see if that kicks it into life.

 

[Del 80]

flecc, there seems to be a problem with the plug that goes into battery, it seems loose, when I wiggled it about red light came on, and it is now charging, I think this is one for an electrician, maybe take plug off and re-attach it......Del.

 

[flecc]

Common problem Del, yours uses an NTC microphone 3 pin connector from memory, like a smaller version of the popular XLR. Be careful with jiggling them, the connections can short to the metal body and blow the battery's internal fuse and possibly the charger's fuse as well.

Best to check the plug connections are sound, though it may just be poor pin surface contacting.

 

[Del 80]

flecc, yes the plug is definatley shorting, I don't suppose you can buy them seperately, so will get it looked at. .......Del.

 

[Del 80]

Mmhh, it is a five pin plug, I'll let it finish charging, then post a picture of it.....Del.

 

[flecc]

Thanks Del, they've obviously changed the plug and socket from the old one I was familiar with. They normally only have two connections in use.

 

[Del 80]

Here it is, the the suspect plug, even with charger not connected it is shorting [ power from battery I suppose] gotta get it fixed asap.....Del.

 

[Del 80]

The cicular ring , best seen on picture three, has threads on the inside, that don't seem to do anything, I wonder if part of it is missing? and the wire is very loose.......Del.

 

[muckymits]

its a mike plug, they just havint taken that bit off and used it as it came. I am about to use an 8 pin for a balance lead connector. And yes I might have one and maybe some gaiters but wont get back in to later tomorrow.

 

[Del 80]

Muckymits, that would be brilliant, is it a standard fittng for this sort of bike ? or has someone ''bodged'' it, as they had rear brake?.........Del.

 

[muckymits]

I 'think' they are standard on the lipos, the xlr type plugs were on the li on battery packs. Still learning my self

 

[flecc]

That is the NTC microphone connecting socket that I referred to, only the 5 pin version. The threaded collar on these is normal, it's used when in conjunction with the inline plug which has the corresponding thread to allow secure connections for microphone leads running across studio floors etc.