> > I'm switching from 48V to 72 V on my next bike and I won't be able to get > another Soniel charger cuz they only go up to 48V.
Looks like that have at least one 72v model: http://www.evdeals.com/72Vchargers.htm I have a factory refurbished Zivan NG1 from "Electric Conversions". So far it has worked well, but I had to make some adjustments and I need to use a timer in combination with it. Also, it has the ability to compensate for temperature if you get a temperature sensor for it. Thats something Soneils can't do. I needed to adjust the little knob to the "F" setting so that it wouldn't bring my batteries up too high in voltage. I am using powerCheqs, and the charger pulses on the final stage. The powerCheqs have some lag time and pulse too to equalize the batteries. Some do go over 15v which will kill them eventually. I talked to Mark at Electric Conversions and he said the charger setting was okay on "D" which pulses at 15% of full current or 1.5amps. He said it may need setting "C" or 2 amps pulsing at final stage. Even on the "F" setting which is 5% 10 amps or .5 amps it will pulse the batteries up too high in voltage after about an hour, and the charger will not shut off properly, so it defaults to 3 hrs. This is too long and it eventually brings all the batteries up pulsing over 15v for brief periods. I don't care how long it is, I don't feel comfortable having the batteries going over 15v. Apparently the charger does not detect end-of-charge correctly. From the spec sheet it has : "dV/dt<10mV/el or T3 max" to detect end of charge. The T3 max is 3 hrs on the "F" setting. The dV/dt<10V/el condition must not be being met, maybe somehow because of the powerCheqs. Anyhow, sorry if that is too much information, it can be summarized as follows: 1. Zivans are good quality chargers and I trust Electric Conversions. Mark (the guy you will most likely deal with) is very knowledgeable. 2. That being said, you might have to check on your zivan, make sure it is shutting off properly, and adjust the setting. In addition it may need an external cutoff timer to stop charging before the batteries are overcharged. 3. These problems may not be an issue if you are not using powerCheqs. Electric Conversions info: Zivan/ Electric Conversions 215 14th St. Sacramento, CA 95814 p 916-441-4161 f 916-444-8190 Regards, Andrew
