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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Булгаков on July 11, 2017, 02:16:37 AM

Title: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 11, 2017, 02:16:37 AM
Hello all,

Inspired by other's success adding quick charging to their Zeros, I have added an additional charge port to mine, so I can now charge with factory port as well as this one. Now I can use existing DeltaQ quick chargers on factory accessory port, and then also use aftermarket charger on my own port, without worrying about getting the signal enabling  QuiQ chargers through multiple splitter cables.

This of course is already documented well in
http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Advanced_Modifications#Charging_Through_Sevcon_Controller (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Advanced_Modifications#Charging_Through_Sevcon_Controller)
but if anyone wants additional photos, here they are (and I have high-resolution as well of course):

Crimped SBS connector pins with hydraulic press.
Put protective sleave on wiring, route it and high-amp fuse case so no sharp corners. (Then later tighten everything with zip ties.)
Finished connector with clamp sits just below OEM power plug on left of bike, easy to access. Much more convenient than factory charge port.

Does anyone know where to get such a dust cover for the SBS plug? Mouser does not show it.

Used dielectric grease wherever possible, heat-shrink sleeves.
Though SBS pin specified maximum of 6AWG (slightly less than 16mm^2), I was able to use high-strand count 4AWG (almost 25mm^2) with patience and crimping. Wire was rated for 200C temperature. Should handle more than 100A, though I have fuse for 60A currently.

Tested at 55A charge rate and no connections display any noticeable temperature rise. Very happy.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Electric Terry on July 11, 2017, 02:38:28 AM
Nice work! But I'll tell you from experience that car stereo fuses are designed for temporary highs and not designed for heat.  The fuse will do 60A continuous but the housing won't.  It will melt eventually.  Ask me how I know! lol
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 11, 2017, 02:45:17 AM
Nice work! But I'll tell you from experience that car stereo fuses are designed for temporary highs and not designed for heat.  The fuse will do 60A continuous but the housing won't.  It will melt eventually.  Ask me how I know! lol

Thanks! Hmm. Do you have a recommendation for a better housing? And how soon did your housing melt? Now I'm nervous.


Since I have 2kW on the accessory port, and only 3.3kW on this port currently, hopefully not a problem right now?
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Electric Terry on July 11, 2017, 02:56:04 AM
I was running 10 kW through it (100 amps) through a 250 amp fuse.  It lasted a month and I started getting severe isolation issues and it turned out the plastic melted and the fuse metal was touching the frame!

Might be ok with just a Delta Q or something, and maybe even a single 3.3 Diginow Supercharger, but I can tell you it doesn't like continuous heat, it's more a fuse designed for high bass hits a few times a minute vs a continuous load.

I have not found a easy packaged fuse yet capable of the amps, so I am using just the main battery fuse as protection.  If something happens and it blows I have to remove the battery dog house, but that's ok. 

Keep using it for now, just keep an eye on it.   At under 100 amps maybe it does ok.

Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Electric Terry on July 11, 2017, 02:59:24 AM
this is the same fuse sitting on my Corbin seat of my Zero after discovering it.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: mrwilsn on July 11, 2017, 04:19:03 AM
You can use a breaker instead of a fuse.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: MrDude_1 on July 11, 2017, 08:10:16 PM
You can use a ceramic or fiberglass 2 post fuse connector. They will not melt.
You will probably have to go to an electrical supply house or order it online, it's not a common item.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 11, 2017, 09:16:50 PM
Hmm. Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I will start looking around. I guess for now I will just keep checking on it. I hope with < 60A on that port that I can just leave it alone.

If anyone has links to nice compact fuseholders / DC breakers possibly they can be added to unofficial service manual ?
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Lenny on July 12, 2017, 03:46:55 AM
This is a fuse similar to the one Zero is using: http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/JLLN100V/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuvhwH9hxnX5qjBbeTzrq%2fChWUq0qttPuQ= (http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/JLLN100V/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuvhwH9hxnX5qjBbeTzrq%2fChWUq0qttPuQ=)

Screw crimped connectors on it and insert it into heat shrink tube, just like Zero does with the onboard charge fuse.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 12, 2017, 07:38:33 PM
This is a fuse similar to the one Zero is using: http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/JLLN100V/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuvhwH9hxnX5qjBbeTzrq%2fChWUq0qttPuQ= (http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/JLLN100V/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuvhwH9hxnX5qjBbeTzrq%2fChWUq0qttPuQ=)

Screw crimped connectors on it and insert it into heat shrink tube, just like Zero does with the onboard charge fuse.

That looks great! and smaller too.  I think I will put that on my list of upgrades.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on July 13, 2017, 01:34:17 AM
I like this hack. It at least adds a modicum of safety for using a controller charging connection. I'll queue it for the wiki with disclaimers.

That said, hopefully we can figure out how to assemble a really good breaker or the right fuse to protect equipment in a variety of situations (slow and fast limits).
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: MrDude_1 on July 13, 2017, 08:06:02 PM
I like this hack. It at least adds a modicum of safety for using a controller charging connection. I'll queue it for the wiki with disclaimers.

That said, hopefully we can figure out how to assemble a really good breaker or the right fuse to protect equipment in a variety of situations (slow and fast limits).

I also like the idea of a fuse, but having it just covered by heatshrink and not solidly mounted to prevent abrasion makes me very nervous.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 14, 2017, 01:13:52 AM
I like this hack. It at least adds a modicum of safety for using a controller charging connection. I'll queue it for the wiki with disclaimers.

That said, hopefully we can figure out how to assemble a really good breaker or the right fuse to protect equipment in a variety of situations (slow and fast limits).

I also like the idea of a fuse, but having it just covered by heatshrink and not solidly mounted to prevent abrasion makes me very nervous.

In my current installation, I have zip tied all cables (and the fuse holder). When I replace that low-temperature fuse holder with a fuse like Lenny recommended, it will still have heat shrink, and a wire covering, and zip ties. That should be enough abrasion protection I hope?
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Lenny on July 14, 2017, 01:28:20 AM
I also like the idea of a fuse, but having it just covered by heatshrink and not solidly mounted to prevent abrasion makes me very nervous.

Well I think than you should get nervous about the stock charge fuse as well, because it's done the exact same way ;-) If it's properly fixed with zip ties, I don't see any issues arising.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Shadow on July 14, 2017, 02:16:45 AM
Well I think than you should get nervous about the stock charge fuse as well, because it's done the exact same way ;-) If it's properly fixed with zip ties, I don't see any issues arising.
(attached image) that fuse is covered in glue-lined heatshrink very securely.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: nigezero on July 16, 2017, 05:11:16 AM
I added a similar hack but connect directly to the battery terminals to bypass the fuse. I used a 100A 120V breaker that I had lying around which fits nicely under the tank area. They are expensive and not IP rated but, I have pretty much enclosed that area now using rubber sheet. So far so good. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170715/7a7e33b299eeec5cfbdafaca3363396b.jpg)
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on July 20, 2017, 12:50:37 AM
I added a similar hack but connect directly to the battery terminals to bypass the fuse. I used a 100A 120V breaker that I had lying around which fits nicely under the tank area. They are expensive and not IP rated but, I have pretty much enclosed that area now using rubber sheet. So far so good. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170715/7a7e33b299eeec5cfbdafaca3363396b.jpg)

Yeah, I wanted to find a breaker instead of a fuse, but it was difficult to find a high-amperage DC-rated breaker locally and inexpensive. Oh well. I guess an extra fuse is cheap to toss in saddle bags for now.
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on July 20, 2017, 02:15:28 AM
I've updated the wiki manual with a link to this thread among various clarifications:
http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Advanced_Modifications#Charging_Through_Sevcon_Controller (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Advanced_Modifications#Charging_Through_Sevcon_Controller)
Title: Re: made additional accessory charge port for Zero
Post by: Булгаков on August 01, 2017, 09:29:02 PM
Well,
As Terry predicted, this fuse holder is not for continuous usage.
It worked fine for many charges at 33A continuous, without any noticeable heat.

I started using it at 66A, and after the 10th time, it both melted the housing and blew the AGU fuse (which was rated 100A).

Anyways, I've already ordered replacement JLLS -100 fuse from Mouser (576-JLLS100.V). Many thanks for the advice, especially to Lenny who pointed out this fuse.

For others wanting to do this same project: bolt holes on JLLS-100 are 7.1mm, so I ordered these Molex crimp wire terminals Mouser part# 538-19221-0231 (4AWG, hole is 5/16" 7.94mm).