Hi Folks,
I now have possession of a Runke Charger. This particular one is a 'failed' Runke charger due, I'm afraid, to a mistake.
The mistake was to try installing the 'Modified' software and not KNOWING which charger was fitted to the bike. A very easy mistake to make. Without physically seeing the charger the only other means of identifying it is via the software version as reported in the up-date page of the Diagnostics software.
Anyway, my sympathy goes out to the owner of the bike, he was doing his best to improve on the crappy Vectrix charger software and made that one tiny mistake.
However, he was kind enough to send the charger to me and I have been taking a look see inside.
The Runke charger is very much less complex than the ESD charger. Component count is less than 130 components. Nothing is 'potted' which will make it very much easier to repair if/when that might be necessary.
It uses the same control chip as the ESD, that is the PIC30F4013, and therefore it may prove possible to re-write the programme for that charger with a view to improving the battery longevity and adapting it for Lion charging when a battery swap becomes necessary.
What I am lacking at the moment is a copy of the hex file which is used to programme this charger. SO if anyone hads a copy that they can pass to me. Then I would dearly love to hear from you.
Just for fun Here are some pictures of the inside of that Runke Charger:
A view of the inside.
The Sub Panel carrying the PIC Microcontroller.
There's not a lot to this one, we have a chance here. Perhaps XVectrix could offer a little help this time? that would be nice.
Come on everyone out there, someone must have a copy of this file.
I'm asking for some help and hoping to get it.
And Telling it like it is as always,
The Laird.
That whole sub panel with the PIC looks identical to the one in the ESD charger - very interesting
anyway - good to hear you now have a RUnke
Would you like a copy of the Runke firmware?
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Oh Joy of Joys!
The Laird & Antiscab peering at a Runke charger... My Vectrix & I may yet achieve NiMeH nirvana, or as neccessary, Li+ heaven.
I will metaphorically make the coffee/sandwiches & sweep the floor...
Matt
Its quite a shame (or a good thing) they literally have a planet separating them. Imagine if they met and what they could do, omg they might take over the world mwahahahahahaha
I'm presuming (from the date) that this never went any further?
Simon
Simon, your best bet is to contact David. He was the lead engineer for Vectrix and is distributing the Hex files for free.
He may also be able to assist you with your charger.
http://www.dugasengineering.com/
Thanks Paul,
I'm getting a charger from Mark, but I thought it might be a good idea to see if mine is fixable
I've emailed to see if I get any joy with getting a circuit diagram
Simon