Charging Batteries

What is the application? .....Tools? computer? solar power? automotive?

Tool:

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW9109-Vehicle-Charger-7-2-Volt/dp/B00004RHJU

warning if the batteries were not built to handle the higher current of fast charging, the batteries may destroy themselves.... heat, fire, possible explosion

...which might cause bigger complaints from the client...

The application is a security equipment. it is called security mirror used to search for bombs under vehicles before they enter any parking.

it consists of a mirror,2 fluorescent lamps and a sensor. we use a 12V 2 Ah Nickel Cadium Battery.

thanks for your cooperation.

The Makita brand power tools use the 12v 2AH batteries. They have a charger that recharges in 45 min.

I could not find any schematics

The units should be designed to allow rapid battery replacement, sell the customer more batteries, retain the slow charger as it will extend total battery life as long as it is using a modern charging sequence that really looks after the battery!!

Such customers are the first to complain if the batteries need completely replacing after a relatively short time!! Such batteries should last some years (or until the guarantee has run out!)

There are enough special charging control chips around that can be used to safely charge such batteries.....

Maybe NICAD is not the best for your application.......but too late to worry now.....but make sure that you do not warm up the battery when charging, that drives off the water in the battery and the eventually battery dies......

Contact the battery manufacturer. Ask for a technical representative. Explain your problem to him/her and see if there is some charging rate which may shorten battery life somewhat but allow for reduced charging times. Often charge rates are selected to maximize battery life and in this case perhaps some battery life can be sacrificed for customer satisfaction.

Its more complicated then you think. A slow 8hr charger is a very simple low current power source. A fast charger need to be able to detect when the battery is fully charged and shut itself off or switch itself into low current charging mode.

Contact your battery manufacturer and ask what is the highest charging current the battery can take. You'll then need to find/design a new charger for the application. One source of highend battery charger is your RC (remote control) store. You can buy 2-30 cell 15A fully programmable charger for a few hundred dollars. They can discharge the battery first to remove memory effect.

You learn a lot when you have a hobby.

Pineapple

change the flourescents to LED lamps of same lumens out = 3 times the battery life.

Add push button switch for the LED lights (which are instant one) = twice more bettery life.

You want 20 leds to play with, I will send you 20 and you can make a prototype. send PM

Add a small color cam and monitor to add operator safety

It is not an open lead-acid that can be Flash-charged.

All new types of batteries need special care in charging & discharging.

Ni-Cd Li-M etc are very efficient but very delicate to damage if not properly handled.

You are talking about the modification to charger.

can you post a readable circuit diagram of it?

Dear Omar Sheta,

The quickest route to a solution for your problem, in my view, is to purchase a Mascot 2415 charger. It uses the -deltaV technique and charges packs containing ten cells with a current of 3.5A.

Kind regards,

Jos