25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

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Gregski
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25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I am thinking of buying a 48 volt 25 AMP battery charger that has a standard 110 plug. What is going to happen when I plug it in to a standard 15 AMP household outlet? Will it only draw as many AMPs as it can ie 15 or will it trip my breaker every time?

LeftieBiker
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Look at the *input* voltage for the charger. That has to be no more than 15 amps or it will trip your breaker or fuse. The output isn't the figure that determines what you need to know. If the 25 amps is input, don't buy it.

Gregski
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Look at the *input* voltage for the charger.

Thank you

Input: 100-240V ~50/60Hz 12.5/7.5A

Output: 48V-25A 25.0A@100~

can someone say that to me in English please? what are Hertz I thought they rent cars, jk and please spare me the Wikipeida answer talk to me like I'm six years old

robert93
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Chargers have input power, and output power ratings, what are the "input power" ratings? There is also a difference in DC amps and ACamps, so dont let the rating fool ya, check the input power stage ratings

LeftieBiker
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?
Look at the *input* voltage for the charger.

Thank you

Input: 100-240V ~50/60Hz 12.5/7.5A

Output: 48V-25A 25.0A@100~

can someone say that to me in English please? what are Hertz I thought they rent cars, jk and please spare me the Wikipeida answer talk to me like I'm six years old

It's saying that it will accept 100 to 240 volts from your outlet (probably with a microswitch to select 110 or 220 volts), and the input amperage (I mis-typed it as "voltage") ranges from 7.5 to 12.5 amps. That means you can use it in your 15 amp circuit. It also says that the output DC amperage is 25 amps at 48 volts, which is what you posted. Actually, the output voltage should be higher to charge a 48 volt system.

robert93
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

ohhh this could be fun.......
Ok, DC is Direct Current, positive is always positive, and Negative is always negative
AC is Alternating Current, constantly switching between positive and negative, and "Hertz" or "Hz" is the number of cycles from positive field to negative feild cycles occur per second. (thats also why you sometimes hear "hum" in sound gear when its very loud, and near motors)

Gregski
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Other's on another forum had this to say:

"This charger says it can run on either North American mains power (110 Volts, 60 cycles per second), or on European mains power (220 Volts @ 50 Hz). There should be a switch on it somewhere to select the type of power imput."

So which is it? lol

jdh2550_1
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Other's on another forum had this to say:

"This charger says it can run on either North American mains power (110 Volts, 60 cycles per second), or on European mains power (220 Volts @ 50 Hz). There should be a switch on it somewhere to select the type of power imput."

So which is it? lol

The first sentence is correct. The second sentence is only partially correct. It *may* have a switch - or it might not. For more info read on...

It may not have a switch (because it may be an auto-switching power supply). Look at some of the transformers you use with equipment in your house (the infamous "wall warts" - or perhaps the power brick for a laptop). You'll see similar markings on some of these (but not all). If they say 100-240V input and don't have a switch then they're smart enough to automagically switch for you. If they're cheap then they'll just do 110V (assuming you're in US). If they're dumb they'll have a switch (several older PC power supplies had a 110/240 switch).

Generally higher power items (such as a charger with a 48V/25A output) will more likely have a switch. Lower power items (such as your cell phone charger) more likely have auto-sensing circuitry.

Clear as mud?

Also regarding this:

Input: 100-240V ~50/60Hz 12.5/7.5A

Output: 48V-25A 25.0A@100~

Another way of interpreting these numbers is to convert to power (power = volts * amps):

Input: At 100V it draws 12.5A which is equivalent to 1250 Watts of power
Output: It supplies a maximum output of 48V at 25A which is equivalent to 1200 Watts of power

Notice that input power is close to but slightly greater than output power. This makes sense - it says that the charger is converting your AC power to DC power and also "wasting" some as heat (the efficiency of the charging circuit). The charger can't "make" power - only convert it from one "style" to another.

I hope that's not too "wikipedia". Happy to try and explain it differently if you're interested.

Bottom line - you can buy this charger and expect it to work just fine. Read the manual and see if there's an input voltage selection switch.

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

jthmi
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I'd agree with JDHarding from Current. Based on your description, I'd use it-respecting the input switch if any. Hey, D, this is T and you stole my diesel for distance, 'lectric for local: you could at least footnote me. And call me re my bike, pls. jth

JTH/Amp Brothers Electric Cycles/MI

LeftieBiker
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I'm still curious about that output voltage. 48 volt systems should be charged at something approaching 55 volts, right? So why does it say it outputs 48 volts?

Gregski
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I'm still curious about that output voltage. 48 volt systems should be charged at something approaching 55 volts, right? So why does it say it outputs 48 volts?

I see what you are saying, but isn't that par for the course when it comes to electric specs, after all car batteries are said to be 12 volt batteries, but we all know they are 13 and some change. Also depends who you ask they will tell you our home outlets serve up 110, 115, or 120 volts, go figure.

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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I'd agree with JDHarding from Current. Based on your description, I'd use it-respecting the input switch if any. Hey, D, this is T and you stole my diesel for distance, 'lectric for local: you could at least footnote me. And call me re my bike, pls. jth

I know I stole it - but I did give you credit it for it in one of my posts. But you're right I'll add you to my sig line. Sorry 'bout that. (Can I still use it?)

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

Gregski
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

so here's what I bought as seen in the eBay pictures, man it works great it charges my four 55 Ah batteries in less than 2 hours, I double checked and my garage EFI outlet is 20 amps saweeet, I was also able to mount it right where the oil cooler went originally on the bike so right in front behind the front wheel/fender

//gregandsandy.com/wattana/pics/Charger1.JPG)

//gregandsandy.com/wattana/pics/Charger2.JPG)

//gregandsandy.com/wattana/pics/Charger3.JPG)

//gregandsandy.com/wattana/pics/Charger4.JPG)

//gregandsandy.com/wattana/pics/Charger5.JPG)

jdh2550_1
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

That's a great find. Very suitable for on-board use: It looks like it's IP46 (the last line on your sticker - it's curled up a bit). That means it's resistant to small objects (think gravel) and powerful water jets (think rain and road spray).

So, was it a bargain?

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

Johnny J
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Elcon TCCH-48-25 1.5kW IP46.

antiscab
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

Elcon TCCH-48-25 1.5kW IP46.

yeh these are really good chargers,
available up to 317v, cost US$250 ea when you buy 20, have an enable line which works with most basic BMS's really well.

This is whats going into the bigger Vectrix kit.

Matt

Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km

pcarlson1979
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Re: 25 AMP Battery Charger in a 15 AMP Outlet?

I am thinking of buying a 48 volt 25 AMP battery charger that has a standard 110 plug. What is going to happen when I plug it in to a standard 15 AMP household outlet? Will it only draw as many AMPs as it can ie 15 or will it trip my breaker every time?

You are talking about POWER

POWER = VOLTS x AMPS

Your power point is 110v and 15A = 110 x 15 = 1650watts (capacity)

Your charger is 48v and 25A = 48 x 25 = 1200watts

Therefore your charger will draw about 1200watts from your 1650watt supply. It is safe to plug in and you have 1650 - 1200 = 450watts to spare.

------------------------------
eRider 8000w Scooter - PDT Version
72v 50AH CHL battery
350A Sevcon controller

24km: Delivered - 24 September 2011
2490km: Installed dual 35w HID lights Bi-Xenon Projectors - 27 November 2011
8313km: Installed BMS -

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