Overcharging Damage & Damage Control
I just left my XM-5000 on the charger overnight by accident. Can anyone tell me what damage this causes and if there is anything I can do to remedy it?
I plan on converting my XM-3000 when the warranty runs out to LiFePO4 like you have in your 5000. I have a Thunder Sky http://www.batteryspace.com/smartcharger10afor128vlifepo4batterypackworldwideuse.aspx and this charger. I leave it on for long periods and no damage. Do you know of any range differences so far or is it too early yet. I also got a 48 volt system to make studies for a 1000 front wheel drive mtn bike. As for batteries being balanced I don't have info on that but for driving my 3000 and measuring the battery pack, all my batteries are 13.05 volt standing after charging and 12.35 volt all matched at the end of a good ride. So Pb-acid batteries seem to be well balanced if not DEEP discharged. reikiman has a good movie on VisforVoltage about LiFePO4 batteries and how to KILL them. Best way is to DEEP discharge them, next over charge them, and best way to kill them is a hacksaw! So if you paid good monies for a XM-5000, I am sure it came with a very well regulated charger and No such thing as over-charging. I leave my Alpha-products eXtreme scooter always plugged in 24/7 and it is 68.3 volts plus or minus a few tenths of a volt.
Rusty
great- hypertext made url a link!!!!
Thank you! I'll look into a BMS. That stands for Battery Management System? I'm obviously clueless about things electric. I really like the stuff, though.
Thank you! I can't say for sure, but it looks like I go from full to 7/8 as soon as I start riding now. As for deep discharge, how deep would you say is too deep? I like to go for long rides, but I've been afraid of going too far and damaging the batteries.
all my batteries are ... 12.35 volt all matched at the end of a good ride.
That's VERY good if you are taking that measurement under load. Even after discharge, the no-load voltage pops up very quickly.
As far as deep discharge, have a look at this chart:
The faster you're draining the batteries, the earlier the "hockey stick" bend comes. The danger is when one battery reaches that hockey stick bend while the others in the pack are happily putting out power. 11.5 V / battery is often taken as the 100% discharge point, but in a pack, going for an average of 11.5 will guarantee that at least one battery is far into the never-never land. I'm most comfortable in using a Cycle Analyst to make sure I don't take more out than I intend.
if your cells were balanced, then no damage has been done.
if your cells weren't balanced, and one cell got overcharged, theres nothing that can be done to bring it back.
for both cases, just continue as normal (and preferably add a BMS)
Matt