Battery discharging when charger connected.

[jonathanbyrn]

Hi, I am charging my battery for the first time as the voltage dropped below 23V. After 15 minutes of monitoring it dropped from 22.64V to 22.08V I disconnected the battery and it dropped by another .2V before I turned it off.

When looking at the battery info I can see the charger is sending 28.91V but no current (see attached image). Any idea what is happening, is this normal?

 

[alda]

Hi,
It looks like that charge relay isn't on.

 

[jonathanbyrn]

Hi, I set it up as was outlined in the instructions (no, no yes): http://wiki.ardumower.de/index.php?title=Ardumower_PCB#PCB_jumpers
Maybe something has come loose so I will check again, thanks for the help!

 

[jonathanbyrn]

Hi,
It looks like that charge relay isn't on.

I double checked my connections and I cannot see anything wrong. Just to confirm that I am reading it correctly for my 1.2 pcb, here are the jumper instructions I have followed:
Integrated charging control via adjustable voltage regulator NO: D7: SHORT-CIRCUIT D3: SHORT-CIRCUIT, C1, C4, U4, RV1: not used
External power while charging NO: JP6: OPEN JP7: CLOSE D4: SHORT-CIRCUIT C5: used
Arduino controlled charge relay YES: JP4: OPEN JP5: CLOSE

where close means that there is a jumper in place. Is that correct?

 

[alda]

Hi,
I'm not using 1.2pcb, but I checked chematics :

For me it looks like a instruction error, because :
"Arduino controlled charge relay YES: JP4: OPEN JP5: CLOSE" is wrong.
In the schematics I can see, that open JP4 will disconnect signal from arduino to relay, but if you have setup JP4 open and JP5 closed, then relay will switch on immediately when voltage is measured (and you have a voltage). But one more question : Which resistor R19 you used ? - in the schematics is value 0 - there must be a short circuit/jumper !
Attachment: https://forum.ardumower.de/data/media/kunena/attachments/1183/Vstiek.JPG/

 

[jonathanbyrn]

You are a hero. That is exactly what it was. I have a lot of difficulty understanding the schematics so went from the instructions and it looked like it should be left out. It is charging now. Thanks for your help!

 

[dennis]

Hi.

Just because of my curiosity: how do you want to recharge your battery, by the station (via the charging contacts at the edges of the board) or by using the jack and P42?

Because I still have the problem, that I can not charge my mower so far. I connect the charger direct to the battery so far (annoying). Is it normal, that the relay opens and closes all the time? One second open, one second closed, one second open...

 

[alda]

Hi,
For me (and I think not only for me) it's working following :
When mower reach charging station and charging contacts, than on the contacts is voltage from the charger (24V) and charging current 0A. Then SW will switch on a charging relay, voltage will drop down to aprox 22V and current jump to 2A (or what can charger supply). How battery is charging, charging voltage is raising and on the end charging current is decreasing. When charging current will drop under set limit (0,3A), relay will switch off.

If you have version without relay, then charging will start immediately when mower is connected to charging contacts and all is driven by charger.

Normaly no relay clicking, but maybe problem is setup = current limit for relay off.

Alex

 

[jonathanbyrn]

This is the first time I had to charge it but I fully intend to use a charging station once it has been built. When the barrel jack was plugged in, I checked the board charger connections and they read 30V so I am assuming they are both connected up.

 

[dennis]

Hi,
For me (and I think not only for me) it's working following :
When mower reach charging station and charging contacts, than on the contacts is voltage from the charger (24V) and charging current 0A. Then SW will switch on a charging relay, voltage will drop down to aprox 22V and current jump to 2A (or what can charger supply). How battery is charging, charging voltage is raising and on the end charging current is decreasing. When charging current will drop under set limit (0,3A), relay will switch off.

If you have version without relay, then charging will start immediately when mower is connected to charging contacts and all is driven by charger.

Normaly no relay clicking, but maybe problem is setup = current limit for relay off.

Alex

OK, thanks for that. Now it's clear.

Integrated charging control via adjustable voltage regulator NO: D7: SHORT-CIRCUIT D3: SHORT-CIRCUIT, C1, C4, U4, RV1: not used
External power while charging NO: JP6: OPEN JP7: CLOSE D4: SHORT-CIRCUIT C5: used
Arduino controlled charge relay YES: JP4: OPEN JP5: CLOSE

I understand the following posts after the quote as "Arduino controlled charge relay YES: JP4: CLOSE JP5: OPEN" and "R19 bridged" to charge with the station, is that right?

 

[alda]

Yes exactly, JP4 closed, JP5 open for relay control by arduino. R19 bridged ... if you are using relay for same voltage as charging.

 

[jonathanbyrn]

Yes, that is actually what it has on the PCB page http://wiki.ardumower.de/index.php?title=Ardumower_PCB I copied it into the thread incorrectly. For it to work you should set it up (no, no, yes)

 

[bernard]

Hi.
Be carreful that the station led need to be connected to detect that the mower is in station and closed the relay.
If you used li ion battery the charger manage all no need to read the charging current only use a timeout of 3 or 4 hour to be sure the led on the chargeur come from red to green (IF YOUR CHARGEUR HAVE THIS LED).
By

 

[dennis]

I have the standard charger from the ardumower shop.

I checked, that I JP4 is closed, JP5 is opened and R19 is bridged. The relay still switches its state. Used the Arduino Monitor to see what's going on:

t     0 l4297 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 117 bat 23.9 chg 27.7  0.0 imu  0 adc 20 Ardumower
t     0 l4297 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 117 bat 23.9 chg 27.7  0.0 imu  0 adc 12 Ardumower
t     1 l734 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 118 bat 23.9 chg 27.7  0.0 imu  0 adc116 Ardumower
t     0 l3825 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 120 bat 23.9 chg 27.7  0.0 imu  0 adc 96 Ardumower
t     0 l3825 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 120 bat 23.9 chg 27.7  0.0 imu  0 adc 12 Ardumower
t     1 l3603 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 124 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc116 Ardumower
loadSaveRobotStats: write
loadSaveRobotStats addrstop=822
t     0 l4109 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 125 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc 96 Ardumower
t     0 l4109 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 126 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc  0 Ardumower
t     1 l3463 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 126 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc117 Ardumower
t     0 l3783 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 126 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc108 Ardumower
t     0 l3783 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 126 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc  6 Ardumower
t     1 l3498 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 126 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc116 Ardumower
loadSaveRobotStats: write
loadSaveRobotStats addrstop=822
t     0 l3986 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 130 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc108 Ardumower
t     0 l3986 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 130 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc  1 Ardumower
t     1 l3731 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 130 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc117 Ardumower
t     0 l3774 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 130 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc108 Ardumower
t     0 l3774 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 130 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc  4 Ardumower
t     1 l3576 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 132 bat 24.0 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc116 Ardumower
loadSaveRobotStats: write
loadSaveRobotStats addrstop=822
t     0 l4015 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 134 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc104 Ardumower
t     0 l4015 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 134 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc  1 Ardumower
t     1 l3728 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 134 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc118 Ardumower
t     0 l3778 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 134 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc107 Ardumower
t     0 l3778 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 134 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc  5 Ardumower
t     1 l3555 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 139 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc116 Ardumower
loadSaveRobotStats: write
loadSaveRobotStats addrstop=822
t     0 l4027 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 140 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc107 Ardumower
t     0 l4027 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 140 bat 23.9 chg 27.5  0.0 imu  0 adc  0 Ardumower
t     1 l3723 v0 STAT spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 146 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc115 Ardumower
t     0 l3738 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 146 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc107 Ardumower
t     0 l3738 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 146 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc  8 Ardumower
t     1 l3520 v0 CHARG spd    0    0    0 sen    0    0    0 bum    0    0 dro    0    0 son   0 yaw   0 pit   0 rol   0 per 152 bat 23.9 chg 27.6  0.0 imu  0 adc117 Ardumower

It's switching between Station and Charging, but don't know why. Noticed, that "bat" increases slowly. I noticed also, that the Plots and Statistics in ArduRemote remain untouched:

Attachment: https://forum.ardumower.de/data/media/kunena/attachments/3922/charging-plot.png/

 

[alda]

Hi,
not sure, but what I can see, charging voltage is here (27,5V), so normaly when mower reached charging station, you can hear a beeps and after this you must hear that relay switched on. There must be a problem, because after relay on charging voltage must drop down and also current must be here. Please check if you have a current consumption via pfod app in section battery. If you are using charger from the shop, there must be aprox 1,9A at the start. Is relay for 24V ?

Alex

 

[dennis]

so normaly when mower reached charging station, you can hear a beeps and after this you must hear that relay switched on.

Yeah, it does it. If it drives into the station, you can hear a beeps, then the relay switches and after 1 second it switches again.

There must be a problem, because after relay on charging voltage must drop down and also current must be here. Please check if you have a current consumption via pfod app in section battery. If you are using charger from the shop, there must be aprox 1,9A at the start.

Have only the ArduRemote-App, but there you can also see, that the charging current is 0A. But: The orange/amber led of the station is blinking, which means Charging Mode.

Or should I try it again with Pfod App? I think, I could have a problem at the PCB... something wrong soldered or so.

Is relay for 24V ?

The relay is labeled with 40.52.9.024.0000, Google told me, that this is a DC 24V relay.

 

[alda]

Orange led blinking is information for perimeter sender, that mower is charging and sender can be switched off (we can use this information for tracking of your problem).
But relay is controled in the mower and there is also a current measurement device (I think it's INA board). Default setup is, if charging current is under 0,3A, relay will switch off. So problem is, that you don't have this current. Reason is not working relay or not working current measurement. Which INA board you are using ? I know, there is more variants with diffrent pin positions for vcc, in and out.

Alex

Alex

 

[dennis]

I have in both cases (station and mower) the INA169 with bridged soldering pads for 5A working mode.

What do you think, should I switch both once to see, if something changes? The station INA is obviously working.

 

[bernard]

Hi.
Like alda say:
If the ina169 don't work correctly the relay switch off.
I had the same problem when i put the Due on the PCB
So if possible verify that charging current is correct.

 

[alda]

If perimeter sender in charging station is yellow blinking, INA board in this sender detected charging current.
Same charging current must detect also INA board which is in mower and if current is detected, relay will stay on till battery is charged.

Or you can try open JP4 and close JP5 - then relay is switched on without arduino and INA control.
Also if you are using charger from the shop, on the charger is LED. So if all is ok and battery is charging, there must be a red color, when charging is finished or not charging, color is green.

Alex