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Charging Jedi Batteries from 12VDC

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:38 am
by jusbuc2k
Guys,

Can I charge Jedi batteries (NiMH) off a 12VDC battery source using the standard charger bases?

I found two similar threads here (linked below) using search, but they didn't seem to exactly match what I'm trying to do. We have a remote cabin that has 12VDC power via large batteries that are charged by several solar panel arrays that put out 3-6amps during peak sun. We mostly use the batteries for lights, and some 12V fans during the summer. We also charge phones/etc, anything with a cig plug adapter off the setup.

I have standard (10-12hour) charger bases for my radios, with the 12V 200ma wall warts that came with them. We have an inverter I could plug the wall warts into, but it's a cheap POS and we try to avoid using it because of how inefficient is is. Does the standard charger base regulate charge current (and could it handle way more than the 200ma the warts provide) if I were to just wire these chargers directly up to the 12V battery source, or would I need some kind of current regulator/resistor in between the battery source and the charge bases? I know I could buy the JEDI vehicle chargers and wire them up like they are in a car, but I was trying to avoid spending $40-50 each I see around the web for those.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Solar Charging:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... lt#p186783

Direct Charging without Charger Base:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... lt#p282446

Re: Charging Jedi Batteries from 12VDC

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:33 pm
by Will
You can use 12 volts DC direct into the Jedi charger base. I have a 1 amp fuse in line. Center is positive.

Re: Charging Jedi Batteries from 12VDC

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:49 pm
by jusbuc2k
Will,

Thanks! Fuse sounds like a good idea too.

Justin

Re: Charging Jedi Batteries from 12VDC

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 8:37 am
by jusbuc2k
Will or anyone else,

Do you happen to know the size of the small barrel plug that fits the standard JEDI chargers? I hate to cut the end off a perfectly good transformer if I can just buy some barrel plug ends and wire them up to cig plugs.

Justin