Test and evaluation of the chloride Spegel S1P108/30 electric vehicle battery charger

The Chloride Spegel Model S1P108/30 electric vehicle battery charger was tested by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as an account of work sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Charger input/output voltage, current, and power characteristics and input waveform distortion were measured; and induced electromagnetic interference was evaluated as the charger recharged a lead-acid battery pack. Electrical quantities were measured with precision volt-ampere-watt meters, frequency counters, a digital-storage oscilloscope, and a spectrum analyzer. THe Chloride charger required 8.5 hours to recharge a 216V tubular plate lead-acid battery from 100 percent depth of discharge (DOD). Energy efficiency was 83 percent, specific power was 37.4 W/kg (17.0 W/lb), input current distortion varied from 22.4 to 34.1 percent, and electromagnetic interference was observed on AM radio. Tests were conducted with the battery at initial DOD of 100, 75, 50, and 25 percent. Charge factor was 1.14 from 100-percent DOD, increasing to 1.39 from 25-percent DOD.