Re: HV chargers

["Sheer" <sheer@sheer.org>]

Does anyone have a favorite charger that can operate in the 288-324V range
and charge off both 110 and 220? In an ideal world, it'd be nice if it could
charge 8-9A from 110 15A, and 12-15A off 220 20A..

I've tried contacting a couple of EV suppliers, but they don't seem to be
returning my mails.. I'd like to purchase this charger sometime in the next
month.. ;-)

<RAMBLE MODE ON>

Today I started the process to put plates on my van - it's IC system is
again among the living, and it passed CA smog. Once it has plates, I can
start stripping the Acura. I've located motor + controllor + batteries for
it, although there are still some questions as to where exactly the
batteries are going in the car. I'd like to put them as far forward and as
low as possible in the rear, to improve cornering.

I'm debating having the rear suspension upgraded prior to removing the IC
components from the car - since I am going to have a local mechanic do it,
rather than trying to mess with the suspension myself. (I know nothing about
suspensions.. any suggestions gratefully accepted). Is there some massive
downside to having the suspension done before you put all the peices in the
car?

    As per my calculations, the rear of the car is going to gain about 850
lbs while the front is going to gain about 150. This will make the weight
ratio of the car about 55-45 F-R, where the original was 62-48. I don't know
what this will do to the handling.. I expect it won't corner as well as it
used to, but then I never had the balls to corner it at it's rated capacity
before (This car happily takes 35MPH rated onramps at 80 in it's current
incarnation, but I'm not up to that kind of performance driving most of the
time) so I don't think I'll miss it too much.

    I got the package from Analog Devices today, and I'd already received
all the other switching logic.. I've come up with a really neat circuit
board layout that will let me put the battery monitors in a very small box -
only problem with it is the cleanest version involves ICs mounted on !both!
sides of the PCB. ANy reason not to do this?

    I'm still undecided about wet cells vs my cool used gel-cells.