Home charging cellink ext7+

[manarh]

Does anyone know of a way of chatting the expansion cellink ext7+ from mains without using a neo main unit?

I don't think it matters but I'm UK based for what it's worth.

(( I'd like to have the main unit operating in the car even when I'm charging up the expansion unit. Seems excessive to buy a main unit just to use it as a charger, though maybe a neo6 will come up cheapish on ebay some time -- I don't even need its battery to be in fair let alone good condition. ))

 

[manarh]

(Way of charging not chatting! Damn auto correct)

 

[EricSan]

Just looking at a few images of the unit, it looks like you need a 12-14g cable with an XT60 connector to plug into the pack. These are easy to find on eBay or amazon for $15 or so. Here is one example that is on sale right now at amazon:

10ft 12g solar charging cable
Just cut off the solar plugs and attach the wire directly to the power supply linked below.

Then, you just need a 12v power supply that can deliver 15A to 20A of current. Years ago, I picked up a Meanwell switched mode power supply that has an adjustable voltage output for about $25-30.

Have a look at the 12v version here:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-15V-LRS-200-15-210W-Enclosed/dp/B0CNK979FB/ref=sr_1_4

Last, you need a 3-conductor AC cord for the power supply. I had one in my parts box from an old vacuum cleaner. This is how I charged my DIY LTO battery pack in the house while I was building and testing it. You can adjust the output voltage with the set screw, so I set mine to about 13.5v to match the voltage level in my car while the engine is running. You just need to make sure the power supply can provide about 50% more current than the battery pack wants to draw (probably close to 10A) so there is a safety margin. The power supply I linked can provide 17A at 12v, so that’s plenty for this application.

 

[manarh]

Just looking at a few images of the unit, it looks like you need a 12-14g cable with an XT60 connector to plug into the pack. These are easy to find on eBay or amazon for $15 or so. Here is one example that is on sale right now at amazon:

10ft 12g solar charging cable
Just cut off the solar plugs and attach the wire directly to the power supply linked below.

Then, you just need a 12v power supply that can deliver 15A to 20A of current. Years ago, I picked up a Meanwell switched mode power supply that has an adjustable voltage output for about $25-30.

Have a look at the 12v version here:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-15V-LRS-200-15-210W-Enclosed/dp/B0CNK979FB/ref=sr_1_4

Last, you need a 3-conductor AC cord for the power supply. I had one in my parts box from an old vacuum cleaner. This is how I charged my DIY LTO battery pack in the house while I was building and testing it. You can adjust the output voltage with the set screw, so I set mine to about 13.5v to match the voltage level in my car while the engine is running. You just need to make sure the power supply can provide about 50% more current than the battery pack wants to draw (probably close to 10A) so there is a safety margin. The power supply I linked can provide 17A at 12v, so that’s plenty for this application.

Thanks for the reply! Bit out of my depth here so please ignore my ignorance in asking if the above does anything difference from using what (*) works when charging the neo itself which works even with the EXT unit attached so can provide enough current but doesn't work if bypassing the neo and connecting direct to the EXT unit.

* i.e. this mains to female Cigarette Lighter socket charger: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B07PDFKGW7 and the male Cigarette Lighter connector to XT60 connector cable that came with the NEO which is something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B0BRGW51WQ
Meanwhile I'm trying to find something like the parts you suggested but in the UK.... if it's from Amazon and so easily returnable then clearly I should try it 😉.

 

[EricSan]

Similar stuff for sure. The one point to pay attention to is the power brick has a 10A limit. Your power station may want to draw more than 10A while charging (despite what it actually says). It’s generally a good idea to never run a power supply right up to its limits.

What I linked will provide plenty of power without additional issues.