I-Pad charging from wheelchair batteries

[mwig]

Hi,
I just regestered today, have found some very interesting reading. My son has a new M-400 and we are asking what is the best way to hook up an I-pad charger to the chair. I have tried wiring in a 12v marine plug to one battery. It work great for about six weeks, then batteries did not want to hold charge for a full day. I am sure someone has solved this problem. Please help.
Mwig

[Burgerman]

There are many ways.

But you cant ever take power from just one battery. Not even a tiny amount. Because on subsequent recharge the charger sees BOTH in series. So it charges until it sees the correct voltage for a pair, which is 28.2 or 28.4 volts. But if one is lower than the other then one battery gets UNDERCHARGED (and sulphated plates result) and the other gets OVERCHARGED (causes electrolyte loss, voids in the Gel on gel batteries, as well as Grid Corrosion) All very bad.

You can get 24v (nominal) from the charge port and take out power there. But you need a thing called an inverter. See here for eg: http://www.evassemble.com/index.php?mai ... rhtdl7fup4

These are efficient. Takes 24v and gives you your 12v with very little waste. Connect via charge port or direct to both batteries in series. The 36v input one is the best option.

[ex-Gooserider]

You can also get DC-DC or "buck" converter boards on E-bay (among other places) for very short money, especially if you don't need a lot of power... You can either get one that steps down to 12v so that you can use your existing car charger, or possibly find one that can step down to the power needed by the I-Bad and hook it up directly - which is going to be slightly more efficient....

However, as stated, you do NOT want to tap off just one battery, as that is a quick way to ruin a set of batteries, unless you also set up to do regular "balancing" charges, where you charge both batteries at 12V in parallel.

ex-Gooserider

[Burgerman]

I-Bad

I WANT one! Sound cool!

[sheureka]

I just use one of these - http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thunder ... ords=anker - works for both my phone and my tablet.

[Burgerman]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/usb-pow ... e-port.htm

Then there's this way...

[ex-Gooserider]

Just as a FWIW, I was looking on E-bay last night, and they had all sorts of options for buck converters that would step anything from about 40VDC down to lower voltages Cost was variable depending on the vendor but was generally under USD $10.00 w/ shipping...

There were a few with USB jacks built in, but most only were rated at 7-22 volts in...

This was the only one rated for 24V in, and it would need some kind of case, but it's a nice option...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIS3R33S-DC-DC- ... 3f22e84d54

ex-Gooserider

[Burgerman]

That would work with heat shrink. But 24v may be a bit upset with 26v we get running on 2 charged batteries. So maybe a couple of 5 amp diodes in series would be wise to drop the volts to 24 max.

[mwig]

Thank you all, this is very good info!

[Carl]

If you want a commercial off-the-shelf option, maybe check this out: http://www.activecontrols.com/info/info_powerbuddy.html

I would just check the output to make sure that it is enough to charge your iPad.

Cheers,

Carl

[Fulliautomatix]

This was the only one rated for 24V in, and it would need some kind of case, but it's a nice option...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIS3R33S-DC-DC- ... 3f22e84d54

ex-Gooserider

I'm using this one and it's fine for a phone but although the output should be enough to charge an ipad, it won't.
Dunno why yet, I think the wiring of ipad chargers may use 2 wires in the usb connector or something.

[Fulliautomatix]

This was the only one rated for 24V in, and it would need some kind of case, but it's a nice option...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIS3R33S-DC-DC- ... 3f22e84d54

ex-Gooserider

I'm using this one and it's fine for a phone but although the output should be enough to charge an ipad, it won't.
Dunno why yet, I think the wiring of ipad chargers may use 2 wires in the usb connector or something.

[Blade Runner]

XLR to USB converter from Monster Scooter Parts
http://www.monsterscooterparts.com/xlr- ... r-rec.html

Bob

[Fulliautomatix]

The story is that the ipad may display 'not charging' when on a low power usb but it still charges.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-not-charging-simple-tips-for-charging-the-ipad-via-usb/

Doesn't explain 'not charging' on a 3A adapter. But I only tested it once so far.

[LEEE]

If you want a commercial off-the-shelf option, maybe check this out: http://www.activecontrols.com/info/info_powerbuddy.html

I would just check the output to make sure that it is enough to charge your iPad.

Cheers,

Carl

I bought a 'Powerbuddy' as my mobile (Samsung Galaxy S3) is extremely battery-hungry, however, the 'Powerbuddy' plug doesn't fit either my old Spectra, nor my week-old Spectra XTR2!

The idea is good, but as always, tech isn't always straight forward despite the manufacturers claims!

[Burgerman]

Why doesn't it fit?

Same plug.

[LEEE]

Why doesn't it fit?

Same plug.

Thanks Burgerman, but that's what my P.A. tells me (I'm very restricted & limited in movement) It may be the way the controller is close to the seat cushion!

[Burgerman]

Fire PA. Hire BETTER one...

Swap for fit, young blonde that has eyes that work and enough enthusiasm to figure it out.

[LEEE]

Fire PA. Hire BETTER one...

Swap for fit, young blonde that has eyes that work and enough enthusiasm to figure it out.

I DID hire a fit, young blonde with enthusiasm - shame its my eyes that are failing! LOL

[Fulliautomatix]

I make one from BMs idea.

Good 3A output - charges anything as fast as it can go.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121371915700?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649