Modifying the dNaNo Charger

[arch2b]

has anyone else her modified their dNaNo charger?

i ask because i was faced with the question, should i buy rechargeable batteries so i can charge my rechargeable dnano battery? said it outloud to myself and it sounds pretty dumb to buy batteries to charge batteries.

so, i did some checking and others have come to the same conclusion as well. run the charger from AC outlet.

i was shocked that you can modify this charger to run from an AC outlet for roughly $9 or less and you can buy all these parts from radio shack no less.

6V/1800mA AC to DC converter
size K DC power plug
part number 273-1763
$3.00+/-
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_09861.JPG

size K Coaxial DC power jack
part number 274-1565
$3.00+/-
size K Coaxial DC power plug
part number 274-1567
$3.00+/-
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0989.JPG

do it right and you can keep the battery function as well.

[RCP-Tracks, Inc]

Can you post some pictures of the modification you did with your charger using the RS parts?

[-J-]

Bought a new AC Li-Ion/Poly charger for dNaNo batteries. First had to made a few mods to the charging station.

Cut away the original charging unit board:
http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/kevintse/dnanomods23apr2009/tn_R1155046.jpg

Solder on the connecting wires and make a hole on the side of the charging station:
http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/kevintse/dnanomods23apr2009/tn_R1155050.jpg

Here's my new AC charger which is a TLP X15. Cost is around USD60.
http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/kevintse/dnanomods23apr2009/tn_R1155058.jpg

After charging an empty dNaNo battery here is the result:
http://images4.fotop.net/albums4/kevintse/dnanomods23apr2009/tn_R1155078.jpg

Final Capacity: 138mah
Final Voltage: 4.21V
Charging current: 0.3A
Charging time: 33 minutes

Good thing is I no longer have to use AA batteries and I can now "top up" the batteries as the stock charging station would not allow you to charge unless the battery has less than 40% capacity.

Kev

Kevin has done something to his charger. ^

Hello!

I made a cheaper hack just a few days ago...

And here are the pics of the modification of the Dnano charger:
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3466/spa0103.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spa0103.jpg)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3835/spa0102uxf.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spa0102uxf.jpg)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6232/spa0101f.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spa0101f.jpg)

Works really nicely and don't destroy the Dnano charger.

I use a simple regulated universal voltage adapter.
This one can get output voltage from 1.5 to 12V. with 1000mA at 12V (1400 at 6V).
It also contain different plugs.

And I can use both of the power sources. Cells or Adapter. ;)

And so has Pierro. ^

[arch2b]

sure thing.

here is the stock charger.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_09841.JPG

you can see they molded into the case a spot for a DC power jack
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0985.JPG

here is the internal control board and wire terminals. you can see the additional plastic ment for securing a DC power jack
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_09881.JPG

a 1/4" drill bit works perfectly for opening the molded opening.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0992.JPG

i also cut off all the plastic braces for the absent DC power jack
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0994.JPG

i took some mini-z motor leads and soldered the DC power jack to the battery terminals. this allows me to use the battery option if so desired (and not plugged in). you can see the cpoius amount of jb weld i used to secure the power jack in place. a simple twisted rubber band provides more than wnough compression to keep it in place while the jb weld sets up.
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0995.JPG
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_0996.JPG
http://mini-zracer.com/mini-zgallery/data/1331/medium/IMG_09971.JPG

right now, this is as far as i've gotten. i wanted to let the power jack dry in place over night before bothering with it more.

[arch2b]

what i found interesting is the person i got advice from said anything 800mA or less will not provide enough juice for the charger. i went with the highest mA rated 6v AC to DC converter RS offered. it also happens to be on clearance for less than $3, thought that was a nice little bonus.

[arch2b]

thanks j for showing how someone would do it if they had a real hobby class charger.

i followed kevin's build on mini-zracer and his advice.

[-J-]

No problem. Kyosho offers a DC power jack for the dNaNo charger, but as with almost everything dNaNo, it probably won't be in the US for a while.

[arch2b]

are you sure it's the jack or the ac to dc converter? i can understand them offering the converter as an accessory to the japan market charger but seems odd that they would offer an internal component that requires altering the device. a kyosho converter means nothing to us if the dc power jack is not included.

can anyone confirm that the japan market charger has or does not have the internal dc power jack installed?

when you think about it, it makes sense that they did not include the power jack in our domestic market chargers. they would then have to make it complaint to our regulations, standards, approved, etc. limiting an exported charger to batteries would seem avoid all the headache for them.

[patrick38]

ho there arch2b

i love your mod of the charger bit i have a question

dou you stil see if the lipo is fully charged on the charger ??
manny thanks

patrick

[arch2b]

i never used the charger unmodified, i'm not even certain of what it was supposed to do by reading the manual.

the led still works, i know that much ;)

[Pierro]

Hello,

I used the charger with both battery and DC and I can tell you it works exactly the same on the two systems.

In fact when I tried my first power supply, it wasn't enough and the charger led were red/green as if my batteries were low. ;)

Great mod to the original charger.

[patrick38]

thanks for the replys

i am going to get the stuf needed and make it also
i wil make foto,s too for this great forum

[hipsterdufus]

im bringing up an old thread to say....nice write up arch2b! i ordered all your parts and mine works great on a/c

:)