Re: Second Run - Sonnenschein Gels + Magnecharger

[Dave Goldstein <goldie.ev1@juno.com>]

On Fri, 28 Jun 2002 19:23:30 -0400 "Christopher Zach"
<czach@computer.org> writes:
> . . . 
> My other option with this car is to use the MagneCharger 
> system. US Electricar outfitted this batch with what appears 
> to be a full MC interface . . . .
>
> Now the ten thousand dollar question: Can the MagneCharger 
> handle gel cells?  Or what is the charging protocol for gel-cells? 
> I would guess it's a bit more gentle than the Hawkers, and with 
> the ability to reprogram the Dolphin's setpoints...
> 
> Chris

   The Magnecharger inductive system is designed 
to work with virtually *any* battery chemistry or charge 
algorithm and is capable of delivering ~6kW at ~92%
efficiency.  (Efficiency drops, however, as the power
tapers to <3kW.)  The rub is that if you are changing 
to a different kind of battery, you have to have one of 
the control modules inside your car reprogrammed by
a Magnecharger rep. 

   For more information on the recommended charge
algorithm for Sonnenschein Gel Cells, contact Dave
Harris <gvanman@cac.net> for a manufacturer's data
sheet, or any Sonnenschein representative.  This
information may also be available on one of the
Sonnenschein Web sites.

   Older wall-mounted or pedestal-mounted Magnechargers 
(Gen 1 or Gen 2) can often be picked up quite cheaply 
if you know where to look, now that the small paddle
inductive (SPI) models are coming into vogue, courtesy
of Toyota's RAV4EV.  An SPI charger can also work 
with your older large paddle Magnecharger setup, by 
using a simple plastic horseshoe adapter to center the 
small paddle in the larger slot.  

   A number of EV1-Club members have portabilized a
second Magnecharger by adding an AC plug (like a
NEMA 14-30 or 14-50) or an AVCON adaptor -- thereby
having the best of all possible worlds when taking a
road trip.  

   Regards,

   Dave Goldstein
   President, EVA/DC and
   Program Development Associates
   Gaithersburg, MD

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