[ref
http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/1980-Commuta-Car-tp4693753.html
>charger doesn't work; when I plug the car in, the on-dash charging ammeter
bumps, then zeroes<
]
% Lee is one of several on the evdl that know &loves comuta-cars
https://www.google.com/search?q=comuta-cars
A search
https://www.google.com/search?q=1980+comuta-car+charger+schematics&tbm=isch
gives
http://www.evdl.org/docs/c_car_charger.jpg
evdl's charger schematic
http://www.geocities.ws/commutacar/
Mike Chancey's commutacar site
http://www.geocities.ws/commutacar/cir24.gif
http://www.geocities.ws/commutacar/cir26.gif
http://www.didik.com/cit_part.htm
parts list shows 48v charger
http://www.evperformance.com/index.php?route=news/article&news_id=5
osciloscope captures of charger circuit
https://www.google.com/search?q=comuta+car+parts
I'll assume Lambert wants to keep the citicar original (old-school) and will
deleve into the charger's anchient design drawn from the 1970's club-car
golf-carts.
When I look at its schematic, it reminds me of what I cut my teeth on,
way-way back in grade school talking electronics with my Lockheed Engineer
Dad.
A center tapped secondary winding with 2 diode feeding 2 scrs, a zenor diode
and a thermistor to help with current regulation ...
( : old : ).
But purists forgive me, this is achiest technology, long before the
switching circuitry designs of today. Its old saturated transformer
windings, and chopped/spiky current output design can't be more than 50%
efficient. That means a lot of the power pulled from the AC (L1) outlet is
wasted and does not go into the pack.
An L1 outlet can supply (120VAC*12A= ) 1.4kW, which means only 700W goes
into the 48VDC PbSO4 pack (700/48= ) an average of 14ADC charging current.
The fuses are rated higher to handle the spiky currents.
I am coming from a different camp of thought than purists and would not want
to try to repair this ancient technology. I would yank out the old-tech and
install today's-tech.
David's Delta-Q idea is a good one as an upgrade path.
At the 2015 Silicon Valley NDEW EVent
https://brucedp15.neocities.org/eaasvr15/
30% down the page, shows a Citicar owner who had done several upgrades
https://brucedp15.neocities.org/eaasvr15/eaasvr15-20150919-brucedp-12l.jpg
'The Citi-car had been upgraded to a 60V Li-ion pack using a 500A
controller and motor r:35+mi ts:40+mph'
As a boy, I would respectfully listen to my Dad's (depression era, no
jobs=no-money) childhood achievements of brings an old used bicycle back to
life by sanding the wooden rims/wheels ...
https://www.wheelsofthepast.org/upload/IMG_1296.jpg
(all the while I'm thinking: Wow how old-tech those days were ...
when a 5-speed stingray/rat-bike with banana seats were all the rage
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/stingrays-that-i-fixed-up-over-the-years.26088/
when I was young, but I was already too tall for them)
There comes a time when cars with wooden wheels
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/162125-how-late-was-wood-spoke-wheels-a-option/
are just too old to support or safe.
A search
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=48v+15a+Battery+Charger&_sacat=48618&LH_BIN=1&_sop=15
gives
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-48V-10A-15A-20A-Battery-Charger-Current-Switchable-MCU-Controlled-new/273693743819
Which also has the advantage of running off 120 or 220VAC (like a Delta-Q).
That means it could be made to run of today's j1772 EVSE (public or home).
Here are other links to explore:
https://www.ebay.com/i/173497752010?chn=ps
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=48v+charger&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&LH_BIN=1&_pgn=3
https://www.google.com/search?q=48+Volt+Battery+Charger+Golf+Cart
If only wanted to keep his pack healthy with a low maintenance charger,
while you work on repairing the old charger, consider:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/48V-Volt-2-5A-Battery-Charger-for-Electric-Car-E-bike-Smart-Scooter-Adapter-USA/282979879433?epid=602991451
Good Luck :-)
For EVLN EV-newswire posts use:
http://evdl.org/archive/
{brucedp.neocities.org}
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