Bosch fast charger - any good?

[Flog]

Would anyone be able to tell me how quick the Bosch fast charger is in real time. Is it 50% in an hour? I have a 3 pin plug in my Ranger so thinking about day trips and a bite for lunch and a quick charge, but at the price if you get 10% or whatever in an hour then I'll pass...

The Fast Charger is currently the fastest eBike charger in its class and will recharge the eBike battery in the shortest possible time. After just three hours, the powerful PowerTube 500 or PowerPack 500 are fully recharged. The Fast Charger needs just over one hour to charge a battery to 50% capacity. This makes it the perfect charger for fast recharging while on a trip. The Fast Charger is ideal for eBikes that are often used and frequently charged.

 

[wepn]

I think this is from Bosch. I am sure you won't be able to charge at 6A in the Ranger unless you've got a big arse generator in the back - in no way am I suggesting you do that. Specialized have a 2A charger that plugs into a car cigarette lighter outlet and there are similar 3rd party chargers that can do it but using one may invalidate any remaining warranty. Also charging at higher currents is detrimental to battery longevity.

 

[Flog]

Mmm, truck is pretty good - we've had a microwave in it, a kettle and just for a laugh we took our coffee machine out for a day in London!! Saved 10 quid in Starbucks!!

 

[Stihldog]

I can see the advantage of quick charging but I don’t think I would use that option too often. I have the Bosch 2amp and 4amp chargers with 1-625w and 2-500w battery’s. Each charger is plugged into a timer which turns on at 5:00am and turns off at 8:00am. I’m not sure if the length of time on a charger is critical but the user manual suggested charging only as long as needed. Hence the timer.
The 4amp charger gets pretty hot but is faster. The 2amp chargers are smaller, take longer to charge, but are cooler. Regardless I use timers so I don’t forget to turn off or on. (Maybe there’s an app for that)?

 

[Akiwi]

I have just received the 6A charger, though I haven't tried it yet as at home I use the 4A charger.
I got it in preparation for my Transalp in 3 weeks where we stop for lunch and top up te bateries. Definitely lighter and MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH cheaper than a second battery

 

[wepn]

Mmm, truck is pretty good - we've had a microwave in it, a kettle and just for a laugh we took our coffee machine out for a day in London!! Saved 10 quid in Starbucks!!

All at the same time, all on maximum power : ) ok maybe not all maxed at the same time but it sounds like you've got a decent inverter - the fast charger is 6A @ 220V so ~ 1.3 kW.. As mentioned it will get hot so I definitely wouldn't charge unattended.

 

[Jeffrey]

All at the same time, all on maximum power : ) ok maybe not all maxed at the same time but it sounds like you've got a decent inverter - the fast charger is 6A @ 220V so ~ 1.3 kW.. As mentioned it will get hot so I definitely wouldn't charge unattended.

Not 1.3 kW as 6A is on the low voltage side! But 6A * 36V = 216W ? (you will have little more on the 230V side due to the transformation losses)

 

[Rosemount]

I think this is from Bosch. I am sure you won't be able to charge at 6A in the Ranger unless you've got a big arse generator in the back - in no way am I suggesting you do that. Specialized have a 2A charger that plugs into a car cigarette lighter outlet and there are similar 3rd party chargers that can do it but using one may invalidate any remaining warranty. Also charging at higher currents is detrimental to battery longevity.

Like the battery display on my Purion .
The 1st half of the battery is not equal to the 2nd half ... Last bar is far less than the 1st bar .

Voice of experience . Early days I trusted that the battery units were equal . Found out the hard way that`s not the case .

 

[wepn]

Not 1.3 kW as 6A is on the low voltage side! But 6A * 36V = 216W ? (you will have little more on the 230V side due to the transformation losses)

My brain ceases to work late at night yet I still attempt complex mathematics

 

[Flog]

All at the same time, all on maximum power : ) ok maybe not all maxed at the same time but it sounds like you've got a decent inverter - the fast charger is 6A @ 220V so ~ 1.3 kW.. As mentioned it will get hot so I definitely wouldn't charge unattended.

Seriously......? No. Its a single plug just FYI!!
So... no one actually knows if the fast charger is fast then??

 

[Slapbassmunky]

It's very quick and Bosch' estimations are pretty accurate. Remember the last 10% or so is a topping charge and takes ages regardless of what charger you use. Your inverter will be fine as long as it can provide 300W continuous, and your leisure battery is huge ?

I use my one for a quick top off over a lunch time pint when on epic XC rides. I get the morning miles for free.

 

[Flog]

Thank you @Slapbassmunky
I’ll have a few goes with my 4amp and get a lunch v charge ratio!! Then invest if I’m getting too fat!

 

[Mabman]

A 6A charger will put in 216wh's in one hour (A x 36V= wh). Unless as stated you are trying to top it off.

My Grin Satiator charger goes up to 8A but I have 21700 cells that can take that amount of charge.

 

[Andrie]

I wish they make it for 110v for this side of shore!

 

[Slapbassmunky]

I wish they make it for 110v for this side of shore!

like most switch mode power supplies and chargers it's designed to work from 110-240vac. It'll work just fine for you.

 

[GrahamPaul]

like most switch mode power supplies and chargers it's designed to work from 110-240vac. It'll work just fine for you.

Are you sure about that? Because Bosch's website clearly shows that only the 2A charger works with 110V. The Fast Charger is limited to 220-240V.

 

[Quinterly]

Are you sure about that? Because Bosch's website clearly shows that only the 2A charger works with 110V. The Fast Charger is limited to 220-240V.

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My wife's urban e-bike came with the 4A charger for 110V. I've used it interchangeably with the 2A that came with my Trek Rail 5.

Not sure about the Fast Charger but both the 2A and 4A are fine at 110.

 

[Slapbassmunky]

Are you sure about that? Because Bosch's website clearly shows that only the 2A charger works with 110V. The Fast Charger is limited to 220-240V.

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Now I feel bad for giving terrible advice! You are indeed correct, I've just looked at the back of all my chargers.

2A and 4A are 100-240V BUT the 6A one is 230V input only. Apologies for any confusion I've caused.

 

[Andrie]

Now I feel bad for giving terrible advice! You are indeed correct, I've just looked at the back of all my chargers.

2A and 4A are 100-240V BUT the 6A one is 230V input only. Apologies for any confusion I've caused.

And I’ve bought the 6A charger because of your advice!!!!!!!




I kid, I kid.

 

[Akiwi]

I tested mine last night.
My battery (625Wh) was at 50%
I charged for 30 minutes, and the Battery went from 50% to 70% Seems OK to me for a quick boost.

 

[Flog]

@Akiwi - thats useful, thanks.

 

[Shane(NZ)]

The 6 amp Bosch charger is not really a fast charger, yes its faster than the 4 amp one but by no means a fast charger.
Its all a bit of a joke really, e-bikes must have the slowest chargers of pretty much and lithium battery product. The haibike flyon has a option of a 10amp charger, thats getting closer to a fast charger imo.
The 6 amp is currently the fastest Bosch charger so that is your best option for what you are trying to do.
Happy riding all?‍?‍?‍

 

[Akiwi]

On my TransAlp this year I used the 6A charger. I definitely noticed it added more charge in a short time. For example in one hour the charge went from 40% to 89%. However when I started biking again, the charge initially went really fast down to about 80% even though I was only in eco.

 

[Andrie]

I’ve been using it for 2 weeks and here is my findings. It charges much faster than compact charger. Bosch literature is pretty much spot on. I don’t feel any difference in the way the battery discharge using either charger. I like it. I wish they offer in 110v as I’m using a step up now.

 

[Akiwi]

OK, My comment is basically what you notice on any lithium Ion Batteries. If you load them till not full then immediately start using them, then they appear to go down faster than when left to charge till full and a bit longer. So not a result of it being a 6A charger.