For some time during the existence of our site, we gradually published articles about all kinds of schemes and gadgets for cars, but a car is not only 4-wheeled carts without horses, behind the wheel of which we spent more than one hour, the worse are children's electric cars, which are also a type transport and of course entertainment for our kids.

Today we will talk about the charger children's electric vehicles, more precisely about one scheme, then I think we’ll return to some gadgets for children's electric vehicles.

As we know, children's car is electric, then everything is as in standard cars. Smaller children's cars (three-wheelers, motorcycles, etc.) use a battery lead type with a capacity of 4 Ampere/hour and a voltage of 6 Volts, but is particularly used lead battery with a capacity of 7-9 A/h and a voltage of 12 Volts. The same batteries are used in the sources uninterruptible power supply.

Batteries have a service life of no more than 2 years, and then only best case scenario, although they are lead and are built using the same technology as a car lead battery, the banks of such batteries do not contain acid in liquid form, but there is still acid; filter papers are wetted with it, which are the electrolyte and are placed between the anode plates /cathode.

Specialized chargers for such batteries do not have the function of automatically charging and turning off when fully charged, and they quickly break down. In this article we will not make an automatic charger yet, but we will consider a device that can charge such batteries without any problems.
And the device is a simple AC-DC step-down network switching power supply, with an output voltage of 14-15 Volts at a current of up to 600 mA. The device is so compact that you can easily place it in a matchbox.

The denominations had to be selected through experiments on the fly) so the diagram was drawn by hand.

The basis of the circuit is a simple blocking generator. 99.9% of the components involved can be found in an old computer power supply, in particular the components of the 5 Volt standby power circuit are involved. It is from here that components such as a transformer, a generator with all the wiring were taken, the remaining components can also be found in the above power supply.

Transistor - main power unit, which controls the transformer, the MJE13007 transistor is used - very powerful for such a low-power BO, but in computer units The food costs exactly the same, so there is no point in buying a new one.

The transformer itself was also taken ready-made from the duty room, nothing was rewound, all windings were factory. In standby power supply circuits, the same transformer provides stabilized 5 volts, but in our circuit the stabilization is not at high level, but it is supported to some extent.

I decided to get rid of standard solutions, throw out optical control (it is in the control circuits) and all other complications, and in the end I settled on a charger circuit mobile phone, corrected the ratings of some components, added current and voltage stabilization to the output, and a few more additional protections at the input, I got a stable working circuit with an output voltage of about 15 Volts at a current of up to 600 mA, charging with a power of 7-8 Watts, not bad for such a baby.

In my case, in addition to the voltage stabilizer, a current stabilizer was also added to the circuit, but it is advisable to remove it, since maximum current power supply no more than 600mA. The output voltage jumps to 21 volts - if you do not use the output stabilizer, which in my case is assembled on just one transistor.
Only the transistors in the circuit can heat up, so small heat sinks will not hurt.

It would be a good idea to understand what kind of battery is in your model and how to handle it. Simply because improper use - as well as improper charging - will damage the battery, and this is better to avoid.

Types of batteries

There are three main types of batteries:

• NiCd. The first batteries used in electric cars. The capacity of such a battery does not exceed 2400 mA/h; it is charged with a current of 1.5-2.5 times the capacity for 30-80 minutes (Depending on the capacity). Then there is a break and a second charging cycle. IMPORTANT: if your model has such a battery (which is generally unlikely), monitor its temperature while charging. If it heats up more than 45 o C, charging must be interrupted;

• NiMH. More capacious than NiCd (from 3000 mA/h), they are widely used in modern RC models. Charged with a current of 3-5 amperes, they also require attention to battery temperature, on average full charge The battery needs 40-60 minutes (Depending on the capacity);

• Li-Po. Lithium polymer batteries, which are the same weight as NiMH, have 3-4 times large capacity. These are excellent indicators, but such “banks” are the most demanding in terms of operation and maintenance. Need to:
  • Use a special charger that provides exactly 4.2V per cell (“jar”). The charge current is limited by the battery capacity. It is also advisable that Charger had a temperature sensor to avoid overheating.
  • Absolutely exclude heating above 60 o C, there may be a fire!
  • Remember that such a battery cannot be stored in a discharged state (NiCd is stored strictly in a discharged state, NiMH in a practically discharged state or at 50%).
  • Keep the battery warm (at least until you start using it). But avoid direct sunlight.
  • Do not charge damaged or swollen batteries.
  • Do not discharge below a voltage of 3.0V per cell.
  • Store in fireproof protective case For .

Most modern cars use NiMH or Li-Po batteries.

How to charge the battery?

For this purpose, there are various chargers: from the simplest ones, designed for “their own” type and capacity of the battery, to universal chargers that work with all types of batteries and provide any charge/discharge modes that balance each battery element. Sometimes a charger is included, but most often you will have to purchase it separately.

In this case, several parameters must be taken into account:

• What types of batteries is this charger suitable for?
• Charge power in each channel.

How long does it take to charge the machine on the remote control?

For the user, the answer is simple: exactly as much as the charger “says.” Typically, this is up to 45 minutes and up to 2-2.5 hours for lithium polymer batteries. In any case, you cannot leave the machine on charge longer than required: this will have a bad effect on the battery - it will overheat, and this reduces the service life and poses a risk of fire. If you “undercharge”, a “memory effect” may occur: the next time the battery is not fully charged, its capacity will decrease.

IMPORTANT: Before charging radio controlled car, make sure that the charger fits the battery! Ideally, use a “original” charger, but if this is not possible, select a device that matches the battery. You can consult our store; in addition, there are lists of suitable chargers for popular batteries.

• Never short-circuit the contacts, especially on Li-Po.
• Before charging, check that the battery is ok and there is no damage.
• It is better to charge the battery at least 15-20 minutes after using the machine.
• It is advisable not to leave charging batteries unattended.
• Every battery lasts longer and is more productive if it is provided with full cycles charge and discharge.

Be careful, do not violate operating requirements, and it will last for many years without visible problems.

Important rules for using electric vehicles:

Children's electric cars are designed for use in dry and warm weather. The minimum temperature at which you can ride the car is -5°C. IN severe frost the plastic becomes rigid, losing its necessary elasticity - breakage is possible with minor impacts. The lubricant hardens in the gearboxes and the gear teeth can break. The battery freezes and will not work properly.

Do not overload a children's electric car beyond what is specified in the instructions. maximum weight. Moms and dads! Don't try to ride in a children's car yourself! Of course, you can and will succeed; the electric car will “reluctantly” withstand more weight. But this is fraught with serious damage.

Try to avoid rain and direct contact with water on the electric vehicle. If the machine gets dirty, never wash it with a hose. This is fraught with a short circuit electrical circuit. The minimum that can happen is that the fuse will blow, or the maximum that the motor or battery will fail. Therefore, wipe the machine from dirt with a damp cloth. It is advisable to store the electric vehicle indoors. If you leave it outside, be sure to cover it with film or thick material so that dew and rain do not fall on the electric vehicle and damp wiring does not deteriorate.

Children's electric cars with two forward and one reverse speeds. When a child sits in such a car, he immediately begins to change the speed indiscriminately. Try to explain how to drive such a car. It is best to start from first speed and shift to second while moving. Although, if a child starts driving the car straight from second speed, there is nothing wrong with that. The car will drive without any problems. It’s just that a child may get scared by such a sudden start if he got behind the wheel for the first time. Also tell your child that when driving forward, especially in second gear, if he wants to go backward, he must first release the pedal and stop, then turn on reverse speed and go back. If this is done without stopping the electric vehicle, the load on the gears in the gearbox increases significantly and their teeth may break.

Turning on the electric vehicle:

Set the "on-off" button to the "ON" mode, move the "forward-backward" button to one of the positions. We press the button (“start pedal”, which is located under the child’s right foot) and check whether the electric car is working or not.

After driving, do not forget to turn off the power to the electric vehicle. And during prolonged downtime (a week or more), it is advisable to disconnect the terminals from the battery.

Battery operating instructions:

You bought an electric car. The battery on it is factory charged at 20-30 percent. If you purchased the car in winter, and your child will only ride it in the spring, then you don’t need to do anything with the battery. Only with factory charging it can be stored for up to 5 years

You assembled the electric car, and the child immediately drove off. Let your baby have his first unforgettable impressions and at the same time drain the battery a little. But there is no need to let the battery discharge to zero. If you see that the electric car is already moving slower, stop driving and charge the battery. When purchasing, you need to let the battery work for a while and only then put it on charge.

The battery must always be charged. Remember, as soon as your baby runs out of battery, immediately charge the battery. Discharged - the battery can be stored for a couple of weeks, after which it begins to deteriorate irreversibly. Especially, do not forget to charge the battery for the winter, otherwise, when you take out the electric car in the spring, you will not be able to charge it. You will have to buy new battery. It is recommended that if the battery is idle for a long time, perform one discharge-charge cycle every two months.

The battery must be charged for no more than 24 hours. If you forget it while charging it for a couple of days, this will shorten its service life. Let’s say a battery has a capacity of 12Ah, and the charger produces a current of 1Ah (this is always written on the charger), then it will charge a completely discharged battery for 12 hours. On average, batteries need to be charged 8-12 hours.

Batteries can be recharged even if they are not fully discharged. Accordingly, the charging time of a not completely discharged battery is reduced.

The service life of any battery is 200-300 charge-discharge cycles, depending on the manufacturer. This is approximately 2-3 years of seasonal operation of an electric vehicle, subject to the above rules.

Batteries must not be hit or dropped and, under no circumstances, must be connected between positive and negative. All batteries in electric cars are equipped with special adapters for the charger, so it takes a lot of effort to short-circuit the contact.

Driving time on one battery charge:

Children's electric cars with a fully charged battery 6v/10-12Ah, 12v/12Ah at maximum load at second speed and uphill they can drive continuously for 30 minutes. At the same time, the average driving time in normal mode on electric vehicles with such a battery is 2-2.5 hours per day.

Children's electric cars with a fully charged 6v/7Ah, 12V/7AH battery can drive continuously for 20 minutes at maximum load at second speed and uphill. At the same time, the average driving time with such a battery is 1-1.5 hours per day.

If you have two kids, then it makes sense to purchase an additional battery.

Battery connection:

Connection battery is done as follows. We connect the red wire to the “+” terminal, the black wire to the “-” terminal. If you mix up the connection of the wires (reverse polarity), this will lead to failure of the electric vehicle control board. If it breaks down, contact a radio technician to repair radio equipment.

Malfunctions after assembling the electric vehicle:

Check the electrical voltage on the battery:

If the battery does not work after assembling the electric vehicle, you must do the following. Check the electrical voltage on the battery with a multimeter. The full charge of the battery, depending on its voltage, should be for a 6v10AH battery - from 6.75v to 6.90v. 12v10AH - from 13.50v to 13.80v. If you do not have a multimeter, use the method of replacing the faulty battery with a new one removed from another electric vehicle. While maintaining identity electrical voltage 6 or 12 volts, connection polarity “+” to “+”, “-” to “-” and reliability of contact (terminals should not dangle), and with extreme terminals reversed voltage directly to the electric motor, depending on the position of the forward and backward buttons. If there is no electrical voltage at both ends of the button or at one of them (the electric car does not move forward or backward or only in one direction), then it is necessary to replace the “forward-backward” button with a new one.

Engine check:

We disconnect the electric motor from the main wires using a connector and connect it directly to the battery. In this case, there is no need to observe polarity, because when reversing electric motor it will change the direction of rotation. If the electric motor still does not work, you should replace it with a new one.

Checking the fuse:

If the electric car does not work, then you need to check the fuse by testing it with a multimeter. If you do not have a multimeter, the fuse must be replaced with a new one located in the same container. Attention!!! Do not use homemade or higher current fuses, this may lead to a fire in the electrical wires. The current is indicated on the fuse body.

Gearbox check:

The electric motor may not rotate due to mechanical damage gearbox (breakage of gear teeth, misalignment of axes, foreign objects getting between the teeth). In this case, the electric motor will heat up and quickly fail.

You can check the performance of the gearbox by turning it by the output gear; it should turn in both directions with considerable force. In this case, the electric motor must rotate. This can be seen through the air intake opening of the electric motor (the impeller rotates).

If a malfunction is detected, it must be eliminated, that is, replace the faulty gears with new ones, eliminate distortions and foreign objects. Thoroughly lubricate all gears, axles and seats gear axes synthetic lubricant. Assemble the gearbox and install it in its place. Connect using a connector to the electrical wiring.

For an adult, a car is not a luxury, but a means of transportation. For the child
a car is a unique way to be like your elders. They, just like adults, dream of their own personal vehicle. The modern market for children's transport in terms of product range is almost as good as the market for cars for adults. There are many models of electric vehicles, varying in design, size and power. Have additional functions, which make use even more interesting for the baby. But, alas, they constantly require recharging from their little car owners. Let's look at the types and types of chargers to be able to extend the hours of riding pleasure for a longer time.

Video: How to charge a children's electric car

All car owners know very well: it is not enough just to have a vehicle; in order to power it, you need fuel. The battery in children's transport is the same driving force, thanks to which your baby’s car is not just a toy, it turns into a full-fledged transport. During operation, the battery charge decreases and the energy it produces is exhausted. In order to restore it, you need a charger for children's electric car.

If the charging mechanism for your baby’s vehicle is not included, has broken down, or is simply lost, then in order to get the car back to work, you will need to purchase a new charger for children’s electric vehicles. Of course, it is best to purchase the original one. To do this, you need to know the make and model of this vehicle.

Brands of children's electric vehicles common on the modern market:

Criteria for selecting chargers

If the search for the required device is unsuccessful, you can select the most suitable one. Chargers for children's electric vehicles differ according to several main criteria.

Plug shape.

Like any battery-powered equipment, an electric vehicle has a charging connector. Connectors vary in size and shape. Therefore, when choosing a charger for children's electric vehicles, it is very important to pay attention to the shape of the plug with which the device is connected to the car.

They come in these types:

• round of the same diameter;
• round four diameters;
• "crocodile"
• "fork"

The charging voltage depends on the battery and can be: 1.5 V, 3 V, 4.5 V, 6 V, 7.5 V, 9 V, 12 V.

If even knowing all the above criteria, you are afraid of making a mistake, then you can purchase a universal charger suitable for all children's electric vehicles. It has several removable plug attachments, has a wide voltage range from 1.5 V to 12 V. It has several charging modes and has a convenient switch for selecting what you need.

Safety rules when using the charger

When purchasing a charger for children's electric vehicles, it is worth checking its quality and certification, since a low-quality device can damage the equipment and may cause a short circuit in the electrical network. Therefore, when choosing between price and quality, it is worth remembering safety.

Charging rules

Regardless of what type of charger you purchased, and the model and manufacturer of your baby’s electric car, you should follow a number of rules in order to extend the life of the electric car, battery and charger.

Rules for charging a children's electric car:

1. new vehicles have a factory charge of 30-40%;
2. Before the first charge, it is necessary to discharge the battery below 30%;
3. Do not discharge the battery to 0%;
4. The charging process should last no more than 24 hours;
5. If you plan not to use it for a long time, the battery must be fully charged;
6. a discharged battery is stored for no more than two weeks;
7. for very long-term storage, it is necessary to completely discharge and charge the battery once every two months;
8. The battery life is from 200 to 300 cycles.

Buy high-quality chargers and follow the operating and charging rules so that your baby’s transport will please him longer. After all, it is a useful educational toy for a child.

20.12.2018

Radio-controlled cars and other models are equipped with batteries various types, size and weight, in a soft and hard case, with a voltage from 3.7 to 22.8 V. When choosing suitable batteries for radio controlled models it is necessary to control that their parameters (voltage, current, connector type, shape and dimensions) correspond necessary characteristics. This compliance is important for proper and long lasting performance batteries and RC models themselves. Next, we will discuss which batteries are best for RC models.

Types of batteries for radio controlled devices

How the battery is designed radio controlled car, depend on its main characteristics and operating features. The table shows the popular types of batteries used in RC devices.

	Peculiarities
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)	Allows storage in a discharged state. Withstands up to 1000 discharge-charge cycles. Not to be afraid of low temperatures. They have a memory effect, so they must be charged strictly after discharge.
Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)	They can be charged without waiting for complete discharge - provided that they have not been stored half-discharged for more than 30 days. After prolonged storage in a partially discharged state, Ni-MH batteries must first be discharged and then recharged. Such energy storage devices must be stored in a fully charged state.
	They are characterized by low self-discharge, absence of memory effect and a wide range of operating temperatures - from -20 to +40 °C. Optimal storage conditions are a charge level of about 40% and a temperature of +5 to +15 °C. Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to deep discharge and recharge. It is recommended to charge them after each use, without waiting for a significant discharge.
Lithium polymer (Li-Po, Li-pol, Li-polymer)	A popular solution for RC models. The characteristics are similar to lithium-ion batteries. The main advantages are compactness, high energy density, durability, good voltage and stable operation.
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP)	Have wide range operating temperatures (successfully used in cold weather), constant pressure discharge and maximum service life - more than 2000 cycles. Chemically and thermally stable, extremely safe to use.

How to charge an RC car?

To recharge the batteries of RC toys and technically complex models, standard or universal chargers are used. Conventional standard chargers are designed to recharge a specific battery of a certain capacity. Universal (multifunctional) chargers are compatible with all types of batteries, provide them with suitable charging modes and allow individual batteries to be balanced within the battery.

Let's list the basic rules on how to charge:

1. The RU model must be turned off before recharging.
2. You need to put an RC model on charge if there is not enough traction to start a car using the remote control or to start the propellers of an airplane model.
3. A discharged battery should be charged as soon as possible.
4. How long to charge the battery of a radio-controlled car, drone or other model depends on the battery capacity and the current strength of the charger used. To determine the battery recharging time, it is enough to divide the battery capacity by the charger current value.