12v Car chargers?

[TrailwattsUK]

I am designing a car charger for the Levo/ Kenevo so there is no need for an inverter.
I believe it will be safer and a single unit with voltage protection, input voltage cut off and thermal control.
12v - 42v Levo/ Kenevo with correct Rosenberger for the battery?

I’d like to know if anyone would be interested in this before I get cracking.

Many thanks for your input.

 

[2wheeledwalbert]

Similar to the BMW 12v charger? Or better?

 

[TrailwattsUK]

Similar to the BMW 12v charger? Or better?

As electronics go it will be directly suited to the specialized battery and conditions.
Specifically designed for car/ camper use with lower heat and dimensions hopefully.

Ideally aimed at long term installations or glovebox carry?

 

[Swissrob]

Damn good idea, would also be good if you could connect a solar panel to the input side of the inverter. Following the carrying second battery dilemma thread, a 3d printed dummy mounting plate which would allow you to carry the battery on the bike frame or secure it in the car would be a good accessory for this kit.

 

[Apples]

I am interested for my bike van ?

 

[Brendog78]

Revolectrix have dc dc chargers that you can program all the parameters required to charge and discharge any battery, they can also charge or discharge to a storage voltage. Depending on the dc power available you could fast charge if you wanted. All you would require is a cable.

 

[TrailwattsUK]

Revolectrix have dc dc chargers that you can program all the parameters required to charge and discharge any battery, they can also charge or discharge to a storage voltage. Depending on the dc power available you could fast charge if you wanted. All you would require is a cable.

The thermal safety feature on specialized batteries will be the concern with these chargers especially fast charging?
I’m going to make a prototype and test it.

 

[Stompweaver]

I’m very interested in this too. Although it’s earlier days. Any idea on a rough cost TW?

 

[TrailwattsUK]

I’m very interested in this too. Although it’s earlier days. Any idea on a rough cost TW?

Let me build and test it. I’ll update this post with some details and pics.

I’d estimate 100-150 depending on supply costs and final case design etc.

 

[Stompweaver]

Cheers TW. That sounds great, good price too. I’ll definitely have one, I’d love to be able to charge in my van while I’m on the road. ?

 

[Frank_Denmark]

Very good idea

 

[Indigo]

Last year Specialized & BMW released a limited edition Levo complete with an in car charger:
Levo / Kenevo car charger (BMW Levo)

The charge rate is 2A (instead of 4A) in order to be compatible with typical car cigarette lighter sockets.

You can buy direct from BMW. Part number 80922453902. £72 Inc VAT.

Building your own is probably not as easy as you think, see: DIY Turbo Levo charger

 

[Troutwrestler]

Grassicks BMW in Perth obtained one for me. I think it is more whether the parts department can be bothered to look beyond a set of matching mats, and the guys at Perth were prepared to do the digging required. The charger does need to be specially ordered from Germany, but only took about 5 days to come. At £72, why would you try to re-engineer it?
It might be more profitable to contact the manufacturer and order 200 units and resell those.

 

[TrailwattsUK]

It’s more a foundation for camper/ solar systems I’m looking at. People want to use natural energy to charge aswell as car 12v.
Building a working charger in its elements allows me to separate and integrate other aspects ?

 

[Perry01]

I found one on eBay and am waiting for delivery. This is a picture from the listing:

 

[2wheeledwalbert]

I found one on eBay and am waiting for delivery. This is a picture from the listing:

View attachment 15980

Same one I got. Got mine from ebay too. Good piece of kit ?

 

[TrailwattsUK]

Testing proved viable, now I am getting to the safety features along with output options and low voltage cut off for the car battery.
Box test print soon.

 

[Mcharza]

I found one on eBay and am waiting for delivery. This is a picture from the listing:

View attachment 15980

Got mine and it works

 

[JabberingJimbo]

Word of caution to those with the BMW 12v charger (or I guess any other 12v appliance).
Was charging with mine today and when I checked it the charger light was switching between red and green every 2-3 seconds, but had only been charging an hour so no where near finished.

I checked the 12v plug and it was red hot! Tried again in a diff end outlet and got the same result!!!

Gonna hard wire it in the morning via a decent switch and fuse.
Still feeling smug now I’m charging from the sun?

 

[Troutwrestler]

That sounds like the low voltage protection kicking in and out. What was the status of your power source?

 

[Mcharza]

Was charging the battery while driving from Lappland. 4 hours charging time, from 10% to 80%, no heating problems

 

[Vagus]

Just what I need for the camper. I’d buy two if 12v solar compatible.

 

[andytiedye]

I'd like to see one of these for the Shimano system.

 

[Deleted member 4988]

Any updates on this ?

 

[Fivetones]

48V one for the Levo SL?

 

[ImSundee]

48V one for the Levo SL?

+1 I'd have one 100% if I get a SL this weekend.

 

[gmurad]

Why wouldn't someone just get something like this?

12v to 42v car charger: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Car-battery-charger-dc-12v-to_60543192147.html

12v to 42v car charger on Ali Express: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32810547743.html

12v to 48v car charger: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Car-battery-charger-dc-dc-converter_60542454356.html

Just need to terminate with the connector that is used on the Levo or Levo sL, a lot of listings for these chargers on Ali Express allow you to choose the connector type.

 

[Doomanic]

You'd really trust one of those to charge your £1K 700Wh battery?

 

[gmurad]

You'd really trust one of those to charge your £1K 700Wh battery?

The charger that comes with the Levo is actually a Chinese charger, you can find it in other products as well. Granted it is a better charger than the ones I linked but you can find better ones from China.

 

[Fivetones]

The charger that comes with the Levo is actually a Chinese charger, you can find it in other products as well. Granted it is a better charger than the ones I linked but you can find better ones from China.

Just because it’s from China doesn’t mean it’s the same quality. I’m not saying it definitely won’t be, but like @Doomanic says it’s a risk. Not just to the battery but also the vehicle you’re charging from if it overheats.