So finally I got my fast chargers. I ordered the VLDL chargers, similar to those from @tomp but in the non-waterproof version. The advantage of the no-waterproof version are:
- lightweight (3.1 kg + cables)
- compact 27 x 15 x 9 cm
- display with V and A readings
I ordered 2 of these: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/60V-15A-Lithium-Battery-Charger-For_60770479964.html
The model is called "UY1200" and can be found also from different vendors and brands.
You can order the charger customized, in my case:
- 60 V Li-Lion
- End voltage 70.5 V
- 15 A
- with European AC connector
- on the DC side with 50A Anderson connector
- 2 extra Anderson connectors for building the Super Soco connector cable
- without knowing it, I ordered the "reverse polarity detection" option, that is sub-optimal if you want to use the external socket of your Super Soco TC (needs to detect battery voltage before charging starts - but the external Super Soco socket has no voltage when using the paralleler Y-box ... workaround: connect once the charger to the battery, then to external socket). I would recommend that you insist that the charging starts directy, without detecting the polarity first.
The chargers cost me 123 $ each, shipping to Spain is expensive! Another 123 $ + 50 $ island surcharge, and then some hefty IVA/customs payments on arrival (Canary islands: 7% + 30 € handling charge) and the paypal fee. Each charger cost me about 219 €.
I needed to build the Super Soco charging cable, I ordered one from Outdoordreams and connected it with an Anderson plug (with crimp tool, some soldering and resin). Connecting and disconnecting the Anderson plugs is easy.
So how do the chargers work?
Well!
It takes less than 2 hours to charge one battery, and using the external socket with the Y paralleler box is no problem! The only disadvantage when using the external socket with the Y paralleler is that you need to start the charger by connecting it briefly to the battery.
The batteries keep cool (zero ticks on the battery temp indicator), the charger ramps up from the initial voltage to the 70.5 V ceiling (at about 85% SOC) and then throttles back the current from 15A with constant voltage. You can watch the process neatly in the display of the charger.
But beware that at 15A thin cables start to heat up! The original Super Soco standard cable is 0.75 mm² thin (if you cut in half your standard charger cable for getting the plug), and also the cable from the external socket of your bike to the controller (or Y paralleler) are 0.75 mm² thin. They will get warm (about 40 °C, the grey connector below the seat gets 50 °C). So it is a good recommendation using a thick connector cable (e.g. from Outdoordreams) and charging your battery directy.
I included 2 pictures of my Super Soco. In the Givi top box fit 2 chargers + 1 extra battery neatly.
Super Soco TC charger + top box
i'm thinking about buying a second original soco charger, i want use them as one (parallelize output), so it will be 8A charger for additional $65. In theory, it should halve the charging time, and still no any noise (original china charger doesn't have fan)
I have to add:
the numbers are for charging 2 batteries with Y paralleler box with one fast charger
the voltage went up in 98 minutes from 62.3 to 68.3 V. At 85% SOC it would be 70.3 V. So in 98 minutes, charging 2 batteries with one fast charger, the voltage went up 6.0 V. It would need to go up from the beginning 8.0 V in order to reach 85% SOC, so we are at 6.0V/8.0V = 3/4 of the time to reach 85%. So the SOC went up in 98 minutes from 18% to 68%, which would be 3/4 all the way to 85%. That means that in 98 minutes, charging 2 batteries, the SOC increases 50%. It would probably need 1.5 times the time, 147 minutes, in order to go up 75%, from 10% to 85% which would be the most typical application for a fast charger.
What the numbers mean: With 1 fast charger, battery paralleler box, two batteries you need around 147 minutes (~2 1/2 hours) to go from 10% to 85% which would be the best charging strategy.
200-300km/day riding a city bike, are you seriosly? ?
I hope you are joking, if not, then share your impressions after such a trip
15A do not damage your battery. The cells from LG can handle up to 28 A (that is "1C" for the TC battery pack, I do not know the cells of the TS battery). There is also a cheaper and more compact 15A charger: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/60-v-15A-schnelle-ladeger-t-geschwindigkeit-ladeger-t-mit-led-anzeige-16-s-67-2/32907359171.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1c824c4d8C0Wjg but without CE certification.
I do not recommend using a Y paralleler box with 15 A. It gets too hot because the cables are just 0.75mm². I think 10A is safe with the paralleler box and 12A is safe on the outside charging outlet. My recommendation is charging directly the batteries at 15A.
Batteries get damaged if you charge them >45°C and wear out fast if you charge them too often >90% or <10%. So do not use your fast charger directly after a mountain ride and stop before 100%.
Here are the charging times for the "30 Ah" TC battery pack (which has 28Ah in reality):
15A = 1% per 1 min 07 sec, 54% per hour
12A = 1% per 1 min 24 sec, 43% per hour
10A = 1% per 1 min 41 sec, 36% per hour
4,5 A = 1% per 3 min 44 sec, 16% per hour (standard charger)
You must also consider that a 15A charger draws 5A out of your 230V outlet (1150 W max). I have already experienced very embarrasing situations where my charger brought down the whole electricity network of a restaurant which allowed recharging and I was kicked out because of that (I am living in the most underdeveloped region of Spain).
Safeguarding your battery is very important because battery wear is the most expensive part of e-mobility. If your battery breaks down after 700 cycles = 700*45 km = 31500 km and the replacement cost is 1000 € this is 3.18 € per 100 km. This is as expensive as gasoline for the same distance. It is so silly to say "hey the electricity cost me only 0.30 €/100 km" because it is a tiny part of the true cost