Re: [SPAM] Re: (ET) Charger repair.

[SteveS <ssawtelle fcc net>]

The ET charger uses a ferroresonant transformer (see 
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_9/6.html) , which is an 
expensive and rather sophisticted design. In short, it has the virtue of 
putting out a constant voltage (good for charging) with widely varying 
input voltages (imagine the voltage range found throughout the country, 
in sheds and barns, with varying exetension cords).

I believe most cheap utility chargers (typical car battery chargers) are 
not ferroresonant and, hence, not as well regulated. I'm not sure where 
the Lester falls. If it is ferrresonant , the capacitor value is 
critical and it must withstand rather high voltage. A ferroresonant 
design will have the cap wired to the transformer and nothing else. It 
will also be an AC cap. The output will come off different windings. A 
more typical charger will have a simple rectifier output , with maybe a 
DC smoothing cap. A better one would actuallyl have some regulation 
and/or charge control circuitry - I imagine the Lester may be like that, 
but others on this list probably know the answer to that.

- SteveS
E20


Chapin, Tim wrote:

> I think I confused people...  this is a Lester golf cart charger that I
> am getting together for an old golf cart.  Being a non electrical guy I
> just assumed that a golf cart charger of the same vintage as the et
> charger would use the same caps.....  I am getting the idea that they
> can be very different.  I will try to get some numbers off the Lester
> charger cap tonight.  The thing is very rusty and don't think I can find
> any.
>
>