Article
Charger for NiMH/NiCd and LiPo/Li-Ion packs and cells
Battery Charge-n-Check
Originally developed for receiver batteries in radio-controlled (RC) models, the circuit discussed in this article is used to charge, discharge and evaluate the capacity of battery packs composed of one up to eight NiMH or NiCd cells, or LiPo (Lithium Polymer) or Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) batteries composed of two elements (serial charge). Model hobbyists, other rechargeable battery users and generally all soldering iron fans will find in the present circuit a low cost, simple solution that’s also easily integrated.
The PCB (050073-1) is currently not available.
The PCB (050073-1) is currently not available.
Materials
Gerber file
CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.
Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.
The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.
PCB
Component list
main board # 050073-1
Resistors
(SMA case shape 0805 except unless indicated differently)
R1 = 200?
R2 = 1k?
R3 = 2k?2
R4,R10,R21 = 4k?7
R5,R25 = 270?
R6,R7R12,R13 = 0?2 2W (not SMA)
R8 = 200k?
R9 = 2k?
R11 = 9k?1
R14= 8k?2
R16,R23 = 1k?
R18 = 6k?2
R19,R26,R28 = 10k?
R20 = 6k?8
R22,R27 = 470?
R24 = 82?
R15 = 2k? preset
R17 = 5k? preset
Capacitors
C1 = 220µF 16V radial (low profile)
C2,C10,C12 = 100nF
C3,C5 = 2200µF 16V radial (low profile)
C4 = 10nF
C6,C7 = 33pF
C8,C9,C11 = 330nF
C13 = 470nF
C14 à C17 = 22µF 16V
Inductor
L1 = 4µH 5A
Semiconductors
D1 = BAT54
D2 = B520C
D3 = 1N4001
T1 = IRF9Z24N
T2 = BC817-40
T3 = BC807-40
T4,T6,T7,T8,T10 = FDV301N
T5 = IRF640N
T9 = BD138
IC1 = ST7FMC2S4, programmed, order code 050073-41 (SMA device; STMicroelectronics)
IC2 = LM335 (National Semiconductor)
IC3 = M24C02 (SMA device)
IC4 = 78L05
Miscellaneous
X1 = 8MHz quartz crystal
K2 = 2-way SIL pinheader, lead pitch 0.1 inch
K3 = 3-way connector for PC CPU fan
K4 = 14-way boxheader or pinheader
Bz1 = piezo ceramic resonator (buzzer)
Heatsink and fan for T1 & T5
PCB, ref. 050073-1
Display board # 050073-2
Resistors
R1 = 10k ? potentiometer
R2,R3 = 6k?8
Capacitors
C1,C2 = 100nF
Semiconductors
D1 = LED
Miscellaneous
S1-S4 = ‘Digitast’ pushbutton with make contact
K1 = 14-way boxheader or pinheader
K2 = double solder point
LCD1 = general purpose LCD, 2x16 characters
PCB, ref 050073-2
Resistors
(SMA case shape 0805 except unless indicated differently)
R1 = 200?
R2 = 1k?
R3 = 2k?2
R4,R10,R21 = 4k?7
R5,R25 = 270?
R6,R7R12,R13 = 0?2 2W (not SMA)
R8 = 200k?
R9 = 2k?
R11 = 9k?1
R14= 8k?2
R16,R23 = 1k?
R18 = 6k?2
R19,R26,R28 = 10k?
R20 = 6k?8
R22,R27 = 470?
R24 = 82?
R15 = 2k? preset
R17 = 5k? preset
Capacitors
C1 = 220µF 16V radial (low profile)
C2,C10,C12 = 100nF
C3,C5 = 2200µF 16V radial (low profile)
C4 = 10nF
C6,C7 = 33pF
C8,C9,C11 = 330nF
C13 = 470nF
C14 à C17 = 22µF 16V
Inductor
L1 = 4µH 5A
Semiconductors
D1 = BAT54
D2 = B520C
D3 = 1N4001
T1 = IRF9Z24N
T2 = BC817-40
T3 = BC807-40
T4,T6,T7,T8,T10 = FDV301N
T5 = IRF640N
T9 = BD138
IC1 = ST7FMC2S4, programmed, order code 050073-41 (SMA device; STMicroelectronics)
IC2 = LM335 (National Semiconductor)
IC3 = M24C02 (SMA device)
IC4 = 78L05
Miscellaneous
X1 = 8MHz quartz crystal
K2 = 2-way SIL pinheader, lead pitch 0.1 inch
K3 = 3-way connector for PC CPU fan
K4 = 14-way boxheader or pinheader
Bz1 = piezo ceramic resonator (buzzer)
Heatsink and fan for T1 & T5
PCB, ref. 050073-1
Display board # 050073-2
Resistors
R1 = 10k ? potentiometer
R2,R3 = 6k?8
Capacitors
C1,C2 = 100nF
Semiconductors
D1 = LED
Miscellaneous
S1-S4 = ‘Digitast’ pushbutton with make contact
K1 = 14-way boxheader or pinheader
K2 = double solder point
LCD1 = general purpose LCD, 2x16 characters
PCB, ref 050073-2
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