Vectrix Inrush Current Limiter (ICL)

Mik's picture

An Inrush Current Limiter (ICL) is an essential piece of equipment used to pre-charge the components on the Vectrix VX1 Motor Controller Board each time when batteries are connected again (after service or repairs to batteries or motor controller board).

Incorrect use of an ICL and unsuitable ICL designs will probably damage the main fuse.
The fuse can then suddenly fail during normal vehicle operation at some time in the future.

This thread will hopefully cover these topics comprehensively and might culminate in the development of a suitable, open source Vectrix Inrush Current Limiter design for the VX1.
Photobucket

The Inrush Current Limiter needs to slowly charge the capacitors on the Motor Controller Board (MCB) without causing a high current spike through the fuse. Once the capacitors are charged, the two parts of the 125A Andersons connector (blue) can be plugged together.

Below are some pictures of the capacitors on the MCB and an overview of the MCB. Click on them to enlarge.
I am not sure yet which of the capacitors are actually the ones getting charged when the battery is being connected. Maybe some, maybe all, this would be a question to be answered by the electrical engineers or other smart people reading this page.

//i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/Mr_Mik/Vectux%20Motor%20Controller/th_DSC04036.jpg) //i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/Mr_Mik/Vectux%20Motor%20Controller/th_DSC04062.jpg) //i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/Mr_Mik/Vectux%20Motor%20Controller/th_DSC04073.jpg) //i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/Mr_Mik/Vectux%20Motor%20Controller/th_DSC04023.jpg)
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Please reply if you can explain this in more detail!

Comments

Mik's picture

Content moved to a new bookpage.

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

Where?
Other links come back here.

Cheers, Gary
XM-5000Li, wired for cell voltage measuring and logging.

Mik's picture

Where?
Other links come back here.

Sorry, I'm causing some collateral damage here whilst shuffling it all around...

The comment just had the links in it which are now on their own page in the Collaborative Handbook at: http://visforvoltage.org/book/ev-collaborative-hand-books/6734

This information may be used entirely at your own risk.

There is always a way if there is no other way!

I am not sure yet which of the capacitors are actually the ones getting charged when the battery is being connected. Maybe some, maybe all, this would be a question to be answered by the electrical engineers or other smart people reading this page.

The capacitors are in the picture 2nd from the left, there called "solid caps"
http://www.zonkas-cap.com.tw/solid-capacitor.htm


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