Using the Universal grid charger

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Great. I installed it on my Vista machine, and it seems to be working.
Bet it will work on win 7 as well.

The datalog directory selected in the config, is where the files generated will go, but the reason I don't start the datalogger running when it is first selected is so you can name your specific datalog file in the top Test Name window before starting the program.
The run number is a counter value that gets put at the end of the file name, so you don't inadvertently overwrite your file. You can also set the File control so that if you stop labview, it will either start a new file, or it will append the new data to the end of the initial file.
You should be able to hit the first arrow instead of the run continuous button.
If you have the serial report set to 5 seconds, there is a possibility that the thing will crash if the log file gets too big, so I suggest you do log every minute until we see how that works.
You can play with the Data tab while the logger is recording the data in the graph, as well as rescale the graphs by simply typing in new end points on the scale.
The Data tab "get all data" will fill in the data fields, and this should work even while datalogging, and if you select options on the top box above the Send eeprom R/W, an option bit display will pop up. select any options you want to change, and flip the read toggle switch, to write, and hit the eeprom R/W button and the changed options will be sent to the charger which will beep to acknowledge. I will try to do the operating instruction video tomorrow, time for a celebration beer or 2.

[bluesight]

OK...Here's where we got to so far. Looks like initial high-current charge. Then a while of maintenance charge. Now a bit higher current charge. So it's maybe doing what it ought to...

I was able to reset the sample parameter to 1 minute from 5 seconds. I haven't checked the data log file, but it is probably OK.

B

PS I had to stitch a couple screen captures together since my notebook is only 1024X768. It might be nice to be able to squeeze into a smaller screen at some point, though it's not really critical.

[Varak]

Is there a post or link somewhere that lists the hardware/software/cabling required to do the datalogging? I've seen multiple programs mentioned.

[bluesight]

The links in message #518 are to Mike D's LabView programs that will give you the best look at the Grid Charger data and allow you to control the GC from a computer. The link I previously posted is just a relatively simple program to move data coming in from a serial port to a file and would just allow you to collect raw information from the GC. That is only marginally useful.

You need a serial port on your computer. A lot of modern notebooks (using Windows) don't have those, though most desktops still do (I think). If you don't have one, you can usually find a module that does a serial port to USB connection. Something like this: Newegg.com - SYBA Model SY-ADA15006 USB to Serial Adapter Prolific PL2303 chipset. Make sure it will work with modern Windows operating systems...like Win7 and even Win8.

If you can't reach from your computer port to the GC, then you need a 9pin (DB9) connector cable (male to female, I think it is a straight through extension) to make the connection. Like this: Newegg.com - Cables To Go Model 25201 3 ft. DB9 M/F Extension Cable - Beige M-F

Hope that helps...
B

PS Disclaimer...links I show to products are just for example...I can't recommend those products or devices...check reviews and other options to be sure to get the best stuff at the best price for you...

Originally Posted by Varak

Is there a post or link somewhere that lists the hardware/software/cabling required to do the datalogging? I've seen multiple programs mentioned.

[bluesight]

By coincidence, I checked on progress this AM at about 7:15 and watched as the GC switched over from soak charge to discharge. Got to see the shop light come on bright! I wasn't expecting that until 9AM (900 minutes), but it appears to have started closer to 800. I'll have to check the settings again. But all seemed to go well. I can't quite decipher the lower graph line that keeps rising, but hopefully no big deal. And now the alarm keeps beeping (4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps). Maybe it announces discharge? I'm leaving it for now.

B

PS - I see there maybe should be be beep-tones, at later points in discharge, to signal sampling change to 5 seconds. But I don't see the "Smpl" indicator in the screen and this is at the beginning of discharge. I am tempted to switch to 5 second sampling at some point. Don't really want to turn off the alarm.

[bluesight]

Continuing in what appears to be uneventful ways. Discharge only took about 3.5 hours...done by 11AM. Nothing notable in the discharge graph that I can determine (like I would really know). Maybe down to about 140V at bottom.

B

[bluesight]

Another step in the "report"...

First charge cycle ended at about 4PM, so about 5 hours. Only thing that strikes me as odd is that the final voltage was around 166volts. The soaking charge (and a previous charge) got the voltage much closer to 170volts. Not sure if that means anything much...

B

[GizmoEV]

That seems low. On my last cycling the ending voltage was 176.8V after soak, 174.1V, 175.3V, and finally 175.3V. I had increased the ChT value to 600 since the first time I cycled the pack the first and last charge cycle terminated due to time out. This time all three regular charge cycles terminated due to time out so I'll be extending the timeout period again. I did increase the "plateau time" a little, however.

I've attached the values from my two maintenance cycles.

[bluesight]

Well, just completed the second discharge/charge cycle (at about 10PM), and the end voltage is even a tiny bit lower (165V). Both cycles had code 8 (End of Topping charge due to Voltage plateau detected) as the "Charge Stop Reason". I attached the captured data screen, but I don't know enough yet how to interpret it. The 2nd discharge/charge cycle was pretty quick. Not sure if that is good or bad. And the MaH and Watt Hours going in are lower in the second cycle. Also not sure if that is good or bad (seems bad). The discharge curves look pretty smooth, so maybe that is good...??

Should have the complete result tomorrow AM.

B

PS...I see the stop discharge reason for the second cycle is code 6, which looks a bit nasty...(maybe signals a cell drop-out?)

[Varak]

The 1st cycle, it discharged to the min-voltage. The 2nd cycle, it stopped early due to a cell drop-out. That is why it had a lower charge. Not sure the significant of that, just noticed it.