June 29, 2007 by Rob.

Here are some pictures that I took during the marathon work session last Saturday. Pictures include:

• an icy mocha helping make the work go quickly.
• getting the final connections made in the batteries,
• plugging in the control board (red Anderson)
• showing 144 VDC on the gauge.

I also have a video of the contactor test.

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June 29, 2007 by Rob.

My rear batteries are in the cabin and need to be vented while they charge to prevent hydrogen gas (h2) build up. I’ve also heard that the sulfuric acid in the flooded batteries can produce a sulfur smell and venting helps keep it out of the car.

I’d hooked up 2 fans to blow air through the box, but wanted them to only run during the battery charge cycle. To do this, I used the Zivan NG3 charger’s 2 built-in relays. Aux 1 is “on” when the charger is plugged in and Aux 2 is “off” while the charger has finished pumping electrons into the batteries. I had to use both relays to run the fans: the fan power uses the normally closed aux1 circuit (on when plugged) and the normally closed aux2 circuit (so its on when charging). The result is a wiring mess behind the charger.

I also tapped an extra plug from the charging plug to run the 1000 mA, 15VDC charger.

Note: I’m using the normally open part of the Aux1 to interlock the controller. This *should * prevent driving off while plugged in.

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