Building a Good and Cheap Bench Power Supply - How to build a 48v Lifepo4 battery (Ep. 7)

[@JerryWalker001]

I use gopro cameras for my youtube videos and they are the most unreliable devices I have ever used and not cheap. They constantly crash or discharge the battery for no reason. I am also amazed how they are still in business. Really enjoying your video's.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I hate the thing so damn much... Now it's 2/3 times, turning it on is a five minute ordeal... Skip all the damn ads for their subscription service, camera wants to set the date, quick app sees the camera but the camera doesn't talk to the app... delete and re-add the camera to get it talking, finally start filming. Or other times, it just won't turn on until I pull and reseat the battery. To say nothing of the crap battery life, constantly turning itself on when it's charging, corrupted files... ugh

[@GregOnSummit]

Yea, I know, 2 years old ... but, at 23:35 ... instead of cutting the tinned tip, you can use a big pair of CHANNELLOCK pliers and flatten the tinned part. I make power supply's with these all the time. I recently made a 48v 63A PS with 4 of the HP 750W. You need to be careful with the grounding, but these server power suppliers are awesome.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

They are, and it was a fun project! I was using it today, even

[@loucinci3922]

So cool. I just brought home a similar PSU. Runs at 90A. Was thinking to use it as bench supply. Thanks for sharing.

[@mohamedahmed-nv8ct]

Thank you very to efforts to success operation this power

[@marcfruchtman9473]

I don't think I would have figured this out without the pin-out diagram. I am fairly certain that there's no way I would have thought to jumper 2 pins together and then switch the jumpered pins to the ground plane.... hehe. Well done.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Aye, I was really lucky to have my friend's help!

[@patchmack4469]

i did like it when you got all excited stripping the blade down - ye ha, its all making more sense to you

[@bbrown_sc]

They make breakout boards for these (both server and ATX) most with power buttons for $12.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Do you have a link for any compatible with these Fujitsu PSUs? I've seen those for HP...

[@devonvankraft]

Its so funny how server power electronics can make you sound ;) Maybe the short generated an emp pulse kicking out the Mic? Haha..

[@JosephStory]

I would have looked at possibly repurposing that backplane board, but I always enjoy buying new tools too. As to the GoPro question, my guess is marketing.

[@1956vern]

I’m glad you bumble along! They build it! We can use it by repurposing it for our own! Just be careful!

[@mohamedahmed-nv8ct]

Hi im connected pin 5 top by pin 5 bottom also GND after start work

[@rogerlittlejohn475]

What size wire did you use to connect to the two 7 AW's coming off the JK bms?

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

iirc, I used 4awg ring terminal to fit the 2x 7awg(??) cables the Overkill Solar / JBD BMS came with.

[@john_in_phoenix]

I use Riden supplies, very programmable, and ideal if you need a power supply that will also charge batteries. I own both the RD6018 and the RD6012. Yes, a complete kit is almost $200 US dollars, but they are very worth it.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

Looking at the RD6018, it shows a Mac amperage of 18A. If so, the iCharger X8 can do 30A for under $100, assuming you have a sufficient PSU for it, like a modified server PSU. Given how long it takes to top balance a 16 cell pack, that's a non-trivial difference. Am I missing something about the Riden?

[@john_in_phoenix]

@@TheDigitalMermaid The maximum amperage is indeed 18 amps at 60v. It is good for charging a 48v pack, as well as 18 amps at 3.65v, and everything in between. I do admit I use a 30v at 40 amps supply for top balancing, but that will only charge a 24v pack. The Riden is more aimed at the benchtop lab market with a USB and optional wifi interface. It is quite reliable however, set it to 3.65v and walk away, it stops when current drops to .1 amp in the battery charging mode.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

@@john_in_phoenix for pack charging, I use the Quattro, which is also an inverter. Suppose it depends on your focus.

[@john_in_phoenix]

@@TheDigitalMermaid very true. I have lots of uses for programmable power supplies. Usually I charge in series until one cell hits disconnect, then in parallel to finish at 3.65v. I will probably try an active balancer soon, same concept as the icharger, just cheaper if you already have a good supply. Charge in series, then when the cells get in the 3.4v range, drop the current so the balancer can keep up. Like Andy, the first thing I figured out about active balancers is that they will actively unbalance you if left on in the flat part of the curve. They work great at either extreme though. I should add that I am a tool junkie, I have 4 of the Ridens, so tend to hook up 4 cells individually and set them at 3.65v.

[@brianrydzeski6108]

Please remember, BEFORE you test continuity / Ohm's, ALWAYS test for voltage when working like this. Specfically when there are capacitors. You Never Want voltage present when testing continuity / Ohm's. It may seem trivial. However with enough voltage, you can let the magic smoke out of your meter. I've seen it happen. I give a 5 minute discussion on meters and testing continutiy / Ohm's. And as I walked away... I head the meter jump off the bench, and the guy using it fall on the floor [because he was scared -- not shocked] because he put the meter on Ohm's and put the leads in a live AC outlet. Magic smoke everywhere. If you put the meter on the highest DC voltage setting, and check for voltage on the ends you are going to test for continuity. If nothing else, it will safely discharge this kind of capacitor shown in this video.

[@patchmack4469]

i was going to ask, once power supplies are powered, i know there should be time left for discharge, but when testing there has to be a way of doing this safely - thanks for sharing

[@amudlifecrisis]

I use an old heavy bottom coffee mug to rest the solder gun in so I don't burn things on the desk.

[@tommussington8330]

As large as the pads are they act as heat sink drawing heat away.

[@davidchester1612]

I was lost as to why you were having so much of a struggle getting solder onto the pads, and then you mentioned Lead free solder. 99.3% Tin-Copper solder (which is a lot of Lead free solder sold on the reel) is notorious for poor wetting, even the better quality brand/makes such as the one you have. A no clean flux pen may help a lot in situations like these; they look like a paint pen but have flux in them. Rub the felt nib over the pads, which besides adding flux it helps displace any gunk. Congratulations on making it through, must have been frustrating. Yes, gopro sux.

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I realized it was flux later thanks to another commenter who mentioned the flux in the solder core. Having an actual flux pen/brush though is a great idea, thanks!

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy D-M, Basically a FREE "bench" Power Supply from an vintage SERVER Thanks ... Yesterday I hoisted my 110 pound GroWatt 6000 INVERTER up on the Wall ( wall covered in Cement Board ) Today's project is to "FISH" my 100' long brand new ( CHEAP ) Steel FISH-TAPE from the House out to my Ground Mount ARRAY ( I was going "fishing" YESTERDAY but my High-Dollar KLEIN Fish-Tape BROKE 4' out of it's ROUND Tool Case ) Fingers Crossed - I'g love to have some "PV" Power to Charge MY Batteries COOP ...

[@TheDigitalMermaid]

I'm actually surprised you broke the Klein... Can you return it?

[@richeagleton5285]

250 volt 120 amp charge controllers wifi