KevanB

I was in a need of a equalizer, so I found these schematics. I want to make the LED equalizer ( http://www.schumacher.clara.net/leddisplay.htm ), but it seems too complicated without any help, since its my first time building a real "circuit".

Basic Version: http://www.schumacher.clara.net/equaliser.htm

LED Version: http://www.schumacher.clara.net/leddisplay.htm

What Ill be doing is: *Charge Packs for First Time, right on race day
*Run Packs
*Discharge to 5.4v (right before charging)
*Equalize cells to .9v exactly (right before charging, after discharging)

The only problem with the basic equalizer schematic shown, is that I dont see any way for it to cut off when its at .9v exactly for each cell? That is where it seems like I should build the LED version, so that I know when they are equalized...

True R/C Racing

looks complicated.(to me)

KevanB

Err thanks. Im just gonna build the simplest one for now

JusBox

iTrader: (1)

Save yourself the trouble and get a rayspeed exceed discharger. I just got one and it's excellent.

hawker

Hi there

I just had a look at that diagram, its a pretty good design and shouldn't be too hard to build. The LED is the way to go, it using transistor, which are ffectively a switch, when it hits a certain voltage, the switch opens, stopping the discharge process.

rough512

iTrader: (12)

The LED circuit is actually an add-on to the "simple circuit".

The led circuit by itself would take hours to flatten a pack as the LED draws a very small current...

KevanB

How long would it take to EQUALIZE a pack after it is discharged to 5.4v?

hawker

yeah you are correct it would take a long time to equalize, but wouldn't you run the pack down to 5.4v by other means, then drop it onto the tray?

I went out to my local electrics store to have a look round, I couldn't probably build a tray for around $30AUD which is pretty good considering I can get an eagle one for about $130 :s
My only question, is on the trays you buy, they ave a screw attachment that screws into the cells to make contact. For people making their own,has anyone found a similar way to do this with components you can actually buy?

KevanB

yeah its pretty simple actually. It doesnt involve pins with screws, its just a post

Heres a pic of what im talking about. Basically you get some metal pieces, bend them at a 90degree anglee, drill a hole in them at one end, and screw all them into a metal plate.

JusBox

iTrader: (1)

Not long, a few seconds.

hawker

thats exactly what I was looking for, is there a picture of the back of that equalizer/?

KevanB

I dont think there is, but Im guessing its just a protected circuit (like maybe its sandwiched between two purple plates). Im sure mounting the circuit (all the stuff thats soldered together) wont be a problem, as its very thin stuff.

I might just shrink wrap all the electronic stuff, then servo tape it in between two plates (the top one with holes for LEDs and battery mounts).

Understand?

Ill definately post some pics, if not a tutorial of how to do this when I get mine built (hopefully tomorrow!)

psbarger

iTrader: (3)

Please post pics and a tutorial, I'd like to see how to make my own one.

KevanB

Dont worry I will . Ill try to get hawker to do it too (were doing it at the same time), and well make a mega tutorial.

Im available on MSN ([email protected]) and AIM (kevanbates1988) almost all the time, so if you want to chat about R/C or need help understanding the equalizer or discharger schematic, IM me!!

KevanB

Could I use different transistors than the ones shown? My local radioshack didnt carry the ones for the LED version, actually at radioshack they dont even label the transistors, they just had packs of them.
Please help!