Choosing a variable resistor for adjustable battery charger.

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Rader2146

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When choosing a variable resistor/trimmer to go with this board, I only see one value listed (ie:TRIMMER 1K OHM 0.5W). Looking at a datasheet, I dont see anything else that says min/max resistance. Is the value in the description the minimum resistance? Is it the range (0-1K ohms)? Do trimmers run in series with a base resistor to get the desired value range? ie: 1K base resistor + a 5K trimmer = 1K-6K range?

I'm not real familiar with trimmers, so I maybe missing the concept completely.
 
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Rader2146

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After looking at a couple of OKR & Evercool schematics, I think I have it figured out. The trimmer value seems to be the range; 0-X ohms. Add a fixed resistor in series to raise minimum resistance. So using a 1K fixed resistor plus this trimmer Digi-Key - 3306F-202-ND (Manufacturer - 3306F-1-202) with a value of 2K will give me a total range of 1K-3K ohms. Apply that to the charger board where Rate=1000/PROG(ohms) and I'll be able to adjust from 330mA to 1000mA. Sound correct?
 

Java_Az

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After looking at a couple of OKR & Evercool schematics, I think I have it figured out. The trimmer value seems to be the range; 0-X ohms. Add a fixed resistor in series to raise minimum resistance. So using a 1K fixed resistor plus this trimmer Digi-Key - 3306F-202-ND (Manufacturer - 3306F-1-202) with a value of 2K will give me a total range of 1K-3K ohms. Apply that to the charger board where Rate=1000/PROG(ohms) and I'll be able to adjust from 330mA to 1000mA. Sound correct?

Still on my first cup of coffee but the math seems to check out. I would say it is correct.
 

duby

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To answer your questions about trimmer +1k it should work fine.

But why would you want a trimmer on your charger? I assume you are building an independent charger to charge multiple battery types? With out an easy way to read the trimmer, incorrect adjustments could ruin the battery. I would suggest using a 2 or 3 way switch with 1k,2k,3k resistors. That way you are less likely to make mistakes dialing in that middle range.

Then again i could be wrong about the purpose
 

duby

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s. Apply that to the charger board where Rate=1000/PROG(ohms) and I'll be able to adjust from 330mA to 1000mA. Sound correct?

The rate is I=1000/kOhms. You typed the mistake but didn't make it in your calculations. Just wanted to make sure you didn't get confused and screw that up later.
 

Rader2146

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To answer your questions about trimmer +1k it should work fine.

But why would you want a trimmer on your charger? I assume you are building an independent charger to charge multiple battery types? With out an easy way to read the trimmer, incorrect adjustments could ruin the battery. I would suggest using a 2 or 3 way switch with 1k,2k,3k resistors. That way you are less likely to make mistakes dialing in that middle range.

Then again i could be wrong about the purpose

You are correct about the purpose. I'm building a DC jack into my boxmods for onboard charging. The charger will be in it's own enclosure with male USB on one end of the cable and 1.35mm DC Barrel on the other. The grand plan of the trimmer is to be able to charge 10440's or 18650s with the same charger. 330mA for the 10440s and then dial it up when needed for the larger batteries so that charging doesn't take 12+ hours.

I plan on making index marks for the trimmer (similar to how some people will mark their mods for 4v,5v,6v,....,) that coincide with the charge rate. I realize that it's not precise, but I plan on setting the charge rates no higher than .5C so that there is a little room for error. Now that you mention using a switch, I could use a muti-position rotary detent switch and fixed resistors to take out the tolerance variable. Now to go find a small rotary switch......

The rate is I=1000/kOhms. You typed the mistake but didn't make it in your calculations. Just wanted to make sure you didn't get confused and screw that up later.

Not real keen on the proper labels when trying to explain electronic formulas. I can do the math and understand everything in my head, but then it gets lost in translation between brain and fingers or brain and mouth. Thanks for the correction.
 

Rader2146

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Found the switch: Digi-Key - CKN9488-ND (Manufacturer - A20605RNCQ)

I've used that series of switch quite a bit in automotive applications with excellent results.

Add resistors:
3K=333mA
2K=500mA
1.33K=750mA
1K=1000ma

That should cover nearly every battery up to 18650s. Dury, thanks for the switch idea. Sometimes I get in too deep and forget the K.I.S.S. method. :toast:
 
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