Prodigy 2 Charger - Input Batery Voltage Alarm

[bginur]

Hi

I think my mains voltage is too high, compounded by the fact that I was sold a JP Ultra Power PSU and in the instruction in big black writing it does say the 15v can cause problems with some chargers – never mind.

I am guessing that I can’t just stick a hi wattage resistor in series to drop the volts, as the current will change depending on where it is in the charge cycle!

What’s the best thing to do, get a 14v 10A regulator in circuit or scrap the PSU and get one with a lower Open Circuit Voltage – I don’t suppose any one knows if I can fiddle the PSU, I notice there was no charge pot on it when I took it apart.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[jimbob]

You could use a voltage regulator on the output, but if the PSU is new, why not just send it back?

The mains voltage shouldnt cause an issue if the power supply has any kind of regulation in it....

[bginur]

it is regulated, and mains does affect it. I turned on just about everything in the house and dropped it so that it was bang on 15v (did it at tea time max demmand when supply was aroun 240-242) and it operated intermitantly.

Thanks anyway.

[jimbob]

Well in that case (no offence intended here) but it sounds like a pretty crapola PSU - if it can't regulate a DC supply to a fixed voltage of <10% of the input voltage with a 10% fluctuation of that input.

Jeepers, I'd sack that designer! I could do better with a transformer, 4 diodes and a BIG capacitor

Seriously, it could be that the PSU is knackered if what you say is true...

[bginur]

:-)

well what do you expect for 20 quid i guess!

None taken, in its deffence it was open circuit when i measured.

Can you reccomend any, and please dont say a car battery with my crap PSU charging it...



It will have to avoid the 15v level no load, as my Prodigy 2 is the thing that is ringing the alarm bells.

[jimbob]

Don't you have a car battery charger? I and others use a leasure battery which lasts forever, then charge it up every other week with a car charger.

Sorry - i don't have any PSU suggestions - its not something I've researched, although I know people use ones from Maplins and ones for CB radios.

[kevinh]

i use a maplins 13.8 7A psu with my pro-peak so far so good. im only charging 11.1v 1800mah batterys and rx and tx batterys

so far the psu hasnt missed a beat

[showtime]

15V is probably a bit much for most chargers, 13.8 seems about right

i used to use a CB radio power supply for charging as it gave a constant 13.8 volts which all my chargers seemed to like but would only give about 3.5A & it eventually melted!
after that i bought something called a Novak Black box, basically a computer PSU with a flashy sticker on the front constant 13.8v but still only 4.5A output, i tried this with a new charger i got & tried charging some large cells at 4.5 for a while & it kept cutting out & got Really hot!

i think i'll be looking for something bigger & better too

[easyRobin]

Hi,

I bought a Pro Peak power supply with www.revolutionmodels.co.uk
for 33 pounds.

It is a regulated 13.8V, and up to 20A(!) recharge, works great with my Prodigy 2 charger.

Highly recommended!

[Smoothound]

Both my Schulze and my Orbit get upset if I turn my variable power supply over 14.9v

[bginur]

Yes, I came to the conclusion of getting the pro-peak PSU. Why the shop didn’t suggest that in the first place I do not know! At least they were good enough to take the JP back and put the difference, including postage, back into the new charger.

By the way I got this response back from JP about theior charger: -

<<
Dear John

The output from our power supply suits many of the chargers on the marketplace. Unfortunately the Prodigy range of chargers will not work with voltages above 13v and do not work with our power supply. There is no easy way of dropping the voltage. I am sure if you return it to the model shop with all its packaging they will be able to exchange it for something more suitable. Prodigy do their own matching power supply, this may be the way to go.

regards

>>>

I guess if you want a prodigy 2 charger do not use the JP Ultra Power. Not sure about his comment concerning 13v, the Prodigy 2 worked okay with less than 15v input not 13v as he suggests.

Thanks for all your comments.

John

[jimbob]

Glad you got it sorted!

[Smoothound]

I guess if you want a prodigy 2 charger do not use the JP Ultra Power. Not sure about his comment concerning 13v, the Prodigy 2 worked okay with less than 15v input not 13v as he suggests.

13v sounds a bit on the low side to be honest, I'm sure a standing 12v battery will be below that but if you are running the engine it will be seeing more than 13v

[easyRobin]

Hi,

The Pro Peak PSU works on a regulated 13.8V.
Perfect in combination with the Prodigy 2 charger.