USING EQUALIZING/LEVELING CHARGERS
• •
•
•
•
105
Charging rates will not exceed maximum battery charging rates. If charging of the battery pack is immediately followed by a fast charge, the time interval sequences must be as per the EV owner’s manual. The ambient temperature of the battery pack must not exceed 120°F at the start of the fast-charge cycle or the maximum temperature allowed by the battery manufacturer, whichever is less. Fast charging at 120 VAC may be carried out to meet the manufacturer requirements. However charging at this voltage takes too long. The battery manufacturers provide a charger that will fully charge a battery pack from any state of discharge in less than 12 hours.
When the charge has been completed, the following battery pack parameters are noted: • • • • • • •
Charge time End-of-charge battery voltage Final charging current Charging station location energy meter reading Vehicle kWhr reading (in case a Whr meter is installed) Totalizer meter or data logger information Vehicle odometer reading
USING EQUALIZING/LEVELING CHARGERS Fast charging of the traction batteries returns a large amount of energy to the traction batteries in a short period of time. However, the battery still requires periodic equalizing charges. The battery manufacturer is responsible for determining the frequency of equalizing the propulsion batteries. To ensure that the equalization charge is completed within the period specified by the manufacturer, the user should complete equalizing charges at the charge intervals specified by the manufacturer.
Limitations of Fast Charging Maximum charge and discharge rates are both functions of battery design. In addition, traction batteries also behave symmetry while responding to the charge and the discharge process. The battery capable of a high power discharge in 10 minutes is also capable of a high power
