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Inverter to Charge PEHV battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by bambi, Aug 23, 2008.

  1. bambi

    bambi New Member

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    Based on your copious experience, do you think that a surplus Prius inverter could be adapted for use as a charger for additional NIMH batteries?

    Or could the existing onboard inverter be adapted to work overnight charging an additional
    battery by temporarily replacing current from the electric motor/generator, with line voltage?
     
    #1 bambi, Aug 23, 2008
  2. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

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    Someone here has made their own charger before. In reality to charge a battery all you need to do is supply the battery with a voltage higher than the battery currently is at. The complex part is to not charge the battery too fast or you will damage the cells. You also need to not over charge the battery or you will damage the cells.
     
    #2 jelloslug, Aug 23, 2008
  3. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Sign up on the prius_technical_stuff yahoogroup and look at the
    archives. There's a recent discussion about quick-n-dirty DIY
    charging circuits, with the appropriate caveats.
    .
    _H*
     
    #3 hobbit, Aug 24, 2008
  4. miscrms

    miscrms Plug Envious Member

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    Just keep in mind that NimH are pretty finicky about charging, and once you get them charged the car will not automatically recognize and use the added charge. Thats a much more complicated issue (although not insurmountable).

    Rob
     
    #4 miscrms, Aug 26, 2008
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