Instead of getting a regulated DC power supply, can I reuse my hobby charger? Initially I'd use it from ~3-12V for electroplating. Voltage and current doesn't have to be exact for that, so the output from a hobby charger should be good enough. A regulated DC power supply seems like overkill for that purpose, although I'd like to get one later on for powering drivers and LED's.
A hobby charger is a constant current source, not a voltage source and it is usual very slow at adjusting the current/voltage when the load changes.
What's very slow? I figure the fastest plating would take a few minutes if things were ideal, which I figure is due to insufficient current, but right now it's taking me hours.
At most a few seconds. If the plating is a stable resistance, you might be able to use the hobby charger. Some charger has a special program for current into a resistance (Like iCharger).
Great, that sounds like it'll do well enough. That'll help a lot until I get a power supply that will substantially expand my capabilities.
As HKJ said, the iCharger has a motor drive mode that you can set the max voltage and the desired current.
More reason for me to get a Turnigy Reaktor, which is an iCharger clone.
Interesting, I might actually sell the iCharger. I hope it’s as accurate as mine.
I have not been playing with these modes, my guess is that they remove all the usual LiIon safeguards the charger has.
But do not expect it to work as a bench power supply, it is not designed for it. It is designed to supply current to a load that only varies slowly.
honestly you can probably use an old laptop powersupply w/ head cut off and leads soldered on, running thru some of those CC/CV buck modules for electroplating
I got some of these (they have newer version w/ built in display)
I have used these to charge my daughters 6vdc powerwheels lead acid battery, and my 12vdc emergency vehicle portable power pack
You should easily be able to dial down the voltage then set max current and let it rip, the chip gets very hot when you pull close to max rated amps but quickly cools off when the current drops low…it should be able to handle the requirements for electroplating for sure
From what I have seen electroplating can be done with low voltage and low current, but I believe the current is what drives the electroplating correct?
Copper is done at lower voltage, but nickel is done at higher voltage. The rate of plating is dependent on current, and I want to see the results. Too much voltage results in a bad coating. Will the same thing happen with too much current? Hopefully not. I might get one of those modules to play around with, but waiting for it to arrive for China doesn't sound appealing. nvm, found some in the US.
Resistance was futile. Order placed.
This charger is supposed to handle up to six li-ions at a time. I believe that means with logging for each individual cells, which is what I want. Does that mean I can do two sets of 3S, or do I need to do 6S all together?
Voltage determines current… increase the voltage and the current goes up. Same works in reverse… if you increase the current, the voltage went up.