[cynicalceleste]

My boyfriend has tried twice, both times resulting in loud sparks from contact. Is there a positive/negative end of the plug we need to be aware of, and on the switching supply, which goes to what end, red or blue? We are afraid we ruined the battery.

The switching supply goes up to 60 V, and its exact make can be found via link below;
http://www.rpelectronics.com/psc-260-single-output-switching-power-supply-60vdc-1-6a.html

The scooters battery output is DC 53V
& particulars below;
http://www.motorino.ca/motorinoxps.php
(the charger that came with it seemed to of stopped working properly)

Thanks in advance for any assistance with this matter.

 

[McSteve]

I don't think that power supply can source enough current to charge that battery. Also, I'm a little rusty on charger theory, but I believe sealed lead-acid batteries need to be charged with a constant current. See here for technical details: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery

If that's a bit over your head, I suggest simply buying a replacement charger.

 

[cynicalceleste]

Thanks for the link!

It seemed to work when a friend charged it with the power supply the first time, but the friend moved away soon afterwards, and we're wondering if the attempt to charge it would of ruined the battery.

 

[a7ecorsair]

It should work. You will have to pre-set the P/S to 53 volts. Read the manual but I'm pretty sure you will connect the - on the P/S to the - on the battery and the red + on the charger to the + on the battery. You could use a volt meter across the test points to verify the output.

Did you get a charger with this scooter when you bought it?

The first list below is the P/S specifications and the second the scooter power system.

The P/S will only deliver 1.6 amps so the charge time will be longer.
Features:

• Variable 1-60 VDC @ 1.6A Output
• Constant Voltage / Constant Current
• LCD Voltage & Current Display

Power System

• Battery - 48V 20AH SLAVR
• Battery capacity: 1056Wh
• Battery protection: Low voltage cut off protection
• Charger: 2.8A Battery Maintenance Charger (BMC), output DC 53V
• Charging: through 48V terminal on board or off board when battery removed
• Charging time: 5-8 hrs with standard
  and 3-5 hrs with rapid charger*

 

[dmxtothemax]

This power supply is not really suitable for use as a charger,
It only has 1.6a output.
If the battery only needed a top up,
then you might be able to use it,
But if the battery is quite flat and needs a good solid charge
then that supply would really struggle
possibly the overload could cut out.
The supply does not have enough grunt.
Look for another supply with more currant
At least twice what that one can deliver.

 

[cynicalceleste]

Did you get a charger with this scooter when you bought it?

Yes, but we used it to charge another battery, and that killed it.

The P/S came from a friend without a manual.

Now that I know how to do it, do you mind explaining how not to do it?

Meaning what do you think caused the loud cracking noise upon connecting jacks from P/S to battery?

Should I plug in the P/S Before or after plugging it in the outlet?

 

[dmxtothemax]

It is normal for some sparks when first connecting the battery,
The flatter is the battery the bigger the spark,
If you wish you can connnect the battery and then turn on the
charger.

 

[a7ecorsair]

Charging a battery is basically forcing current to flow backward through the battery. This is done by connection something with a higher voltage source to the battery. Your battery is 48 volts and the recommended charger to use is 53 volts. The spark occurs because the battery - dead or alive - will have a different residual level than the power supply you are trying to use, so hence a spark will occur when you connect the two.
With out some electrical background, you are just guessing at what is happening and since the P/S isn't designed specifically for this application, you will have to do some testing to match the two and will most likely need a volt meter. A good power supply is designed to handle some overloading but you could possible damage the P/S if you are just connecting and hoping.....