I certainly agree that overcharging lithium is dangerous. I can also see the benefit in using two different terms for the two different charger topologies:
A) 'dumb' chargers that continuously source current, useful for NiMH cells, but dangerous for lithium.
B) 'smart' chargers that also source current, but turn off when any lithium cell is full.
Obviously these are both 'grid chargers', but given that the insight community has already appropriated that term for 'A', I agree we probably shouldn't use that term for 'B'. However, given how familiar the insight community is with 'A', we will probably never truly prevent the term 'grid charger' from being applied to both 'A' and 'B'.
So yes, I agree choosing a different term makes sense.
I've added a note to update the documentation on linsight.org (e.g. FAQ, installation text, etc).
However, I don't intend to update the installation videos anytime soon (or possibly ever), as that will take way more time than I'm willing to commit at the moment.
Going forward, I will change my messaging from 'grid charger' to whatever term we come up with.
Feedback on your proposed terms:
"PHEV Charger" - The EHW5 modules LiBCM is designed for aren't large enough to call it a 'PHEV'. In addition, a PHEV typically has an "all electric" mode, which isn't possible with the G1 insight's mechanical configuration.
"L1 Charger" - My concern is that customers might expect LiBCM to natively work with CHAdeMO, whereas LiBCM uses a 5-15P connector (i.e. a standard US wall outlet). Most L1 chargers on the market use the CHAdeMO standard... I wouldn't want a customer to think they could purchase these chargers and have them work.
To overcome my feedback on the above terms, I propose the following terms:
"Plug-in Charger" - Simply conveys to the user what the device does.
"Smart Grid Charger" - Allows the lay user to infer that there is also a "dumb grid charger". Further, it preserves the existing "grid charger" usage in-place, while also allowing us to be more specific going forward.
"Lithium Grid Charger" - Same as above, it conveys the idea that there is a separate class of "non-lithium grid chargers".
Of my three proposals, I much prefer the term "Lithium Grid Charger", as it fully conveys this different class of charging devices.
...
As it pertains to LiBCM specifically, the installation instructions and FAQ are VERY clear that only approved chargers should be used with LiBCM. Of course that doesn't prevent a future owner from connecting a grid charger after-the-fact. Note that all LiBCM units ship with a lithium grid charger, so that the user has that support out-of-the-box (and is thus less likely to add an unsupported charger after-the-fact).
Technical note: LiBCM uses the same general charger topology as all extant NiMH chargers (constant current source). However, LiBCM also incorporates redundant control logic to disable the charger as needed for cell safety. Technically you could safely use existing NiMH chargers with LiBCM, AS LONG AS YOU CONNECTED THEM THROUGH LiBCM's control circuitry. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED, but is technically possible. There is no benefit to doing this.
One solution to prevent after-the-fact NiMH grid charger installation is to include an additional warning label near the junction board. Proposed text:
WARNING: CONTAINS AFTERMARKET BATTERY.
FOR USE ONLY WITH LITHIUM GRID CHARGERS!
![Motor vehicle Bumper Steering wheel Electrical wiring Automotive exterior]()
Thus, a user who fails to notice the existing "contains aftermarket lithium module" label (included with LiBCM and attached to the IMA bay aluminum cover) will get a second warning as they connect the grid charger to the junction board.
A) 'dumb' chargers that continuously source current, useful for NiMH cells, but dangerous for lithium.
B) 'smart' chargers that also source current, but turn off when any lithium cell is full.
Obviously these are both 'grid chargers', but given that the insight community has already appropriated that term for 'A', I agree we probably shouldn't use that term for 'B'. However, given how familiar the insight community is with 'A', we will probably never truly prevent the term 'grid charger' from being applied to both 'A' and 'B'.
So yes, I agree choosing a different term makes sense.
I've added a note to update the documentation on linsight.org (e.g. FAQ, installation text, etc).
However, I don't intend to update the installation videos anytime soon (or possibly ever), as that will take way more time than I'm willing to commit at the moment.
Going forward, I will change my messaging from 'grid charger' to whatever term we come up with.
Feedback on your proposed terms:
"PHEV Charger" - The EHW5 modules LiBCM is designed for aren't large enough to call it a 'PHEV'. In addition, a PHEV typically has an "all electric" mode, which isn't possible with the G1 insight's mechanical configuration.
"L1 Charger" - My concern is that customers might expect LiBCM to natively work with CHAdeMO, whereas LiBCM uses a 5-15P connector (i.e. a standard US wall outlet). Most L1 chargers on the market use the CHAdeMO standard... I wouldn't want a customer to think they could purchase these chargers and have them work.
To overcome my feedback on the above terms, I propose the following terms:
"Plug-in Charger" - Simply conveys to the user what the device does.
"Smart Grid Charger" - Allows the lay user to infer that there is also a "dumb grid charger". Further, it preserves the existing "grid charger" usage in-place, while also allowing us to be more specific going forward.
"Lithium Grid Charger" - Same as above, it conveys the idea that there is a separate class of "non-lithium grid chargers".
Of my three proposals, I much prefer the term "Lithium Grid Charger", as it fully conveys this different class of charging devices.
...
As it pertains to LiBCM specifically, the installation instructions and FAQ are VERY clear that only approved chargers should be used with LiBCM. Of course that doesn't prevent a future owner from connecting a grid charger after-the-fact. Note that all LiBCM units ship with a lithium grid charger, so that the user has that support out-of-the-box (and is thus less likely to add an unsupported charger after-the-fact).
Technical note: LiBCM uses the same general charger topology as all extant NiMH chargers (constant current source). However, LiBCM also incorporates redundant control logic to disable the charger as needed for cell safety. Technically you could safely use existing NiMH chargers with LiBCM, AS LONG AS YOU CONNECTED THEM THROUGH LiBCM's control circuitry. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED, but is technically possible. There is no benefit to doing this.
One solution to prevent after-the-fact NiMH grid charger installation is to include an additional warning label near the junction board. Proposed text:
WARNING: CONTAINS AFTERMARKET BATTERY.
FOR USE ONLY WITH LITHIUM GRID CHARGERS!
Thus, a user who fails to notice the existing "contains aftermarket lithium module" label (included with LiBCM and attached to the IMA bay aluminum cover) will get a second warning as they connect the grid charger to the junction board.
