Plug for Torqeedo 12v charging lead

[Poignard]

Anyone know where I can buy one of these connectors?

A 12 v charging lead from Torqeedo costs ca £39 which seems a bit steep for a length of cable with this on one end and a cigar lighter plug on the other so I thought I'd make my own.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If that's a circular connector at the end, what are the inner and outer diameter? Most combinations are easily found on eBay - for example, 12V is often 5.5mm OD, 2.1mm ID.

 

[Poignard]

If that's a circular connector at the end, what are the inner and outer diameter? Most combinations are easily found on eBay - for example, 12V is often 5.5mm OD, 2.1mm ID.

Thanks, good idea.

 

[pvb]

The plug dimensions are given in the Torqeedo owner manual. I found that an old laptop charging lead fitted perfectly.

 

[Poignard]

The plug dimensions are given in the Torqeedo owner manual. I found that an old laptop charging lead fitted perfectly.

When in doubt, read the manual.

I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't think of that!

 

[migs]

Ah yes; I’ve made up one of these leads. First of all, the plug is a slightly unusual size at 5.5 x 2.5. Secondly, the plug I bought from eBay was useless and I ended up having to buy a decent Switchcraft plug from RS (876-8653) . Thirdly, you need to use as thick cables as you can get into the plug shell because the current is quite high. And that also means you need a decent 12V connector on the other end - I use Blue Sea connectors - otherwise the connector will get hot.

Incidentally, I also made up a charging lead with a Chinese 12V-24V DC-DC converter in the lead which charges the battery twice as fast.

 

[Poignard]

Ah yes; I’ve made up one of these leads. First of all, the plug is a slightly unusual size at 5.5 x 2.5. Secondly, the plug I bought from eBay was useless and I ended up having to buy a decent Switchcraft plug from RS (876-8653) . Thirdly, you need to use as thick cables as you can get into the plug shell because the current is quite high. And that also means you need a decent 12V connector on the other end - I use Blue Sea connectors - otherwise the connector will get hot.

Incidentally, I also made up a charging lead with a Chinese 12V-24V DC-DC converter in the lead which charges the battery twice as fast.

Thanks. That's very helpful, and a very useful tip about the 2V-24V DC-DC. Can you remember where you bought that or are they readily available?

 

[pvb]

Thanks. That's very helpful, and a very useful tip about the 2V-24V DC-DC. Can you remember where you bought that or are they readily available?

Torqeedo don't recommend charging with voltage above 12v.

 

[Poignard]

Torqeedo don't recommend charging with voltage above 12v.

Are you sure about that? This is a manufacturer's accessory:



Charging equipment - Chargers for your motor from Torqeedo

 

[pvb]

Are you sure about that? This is a manufacturer's accessory:

Obviously changed since I bought mine! My manual says...

 

[migs]

We have the 915Wh battery and 24V charging seems fine. I bought the DC-DC convertor from AliExpress; it’s the 10A version. There may well be UK eBay suppliers.

12.75US $ 32% OFF|12V TO 24V 3A 5A 8A 10A 12A 15A DC DC Voltage Converter Waterproof IP68 CE Certificated 12VDC to 24VDC 10AMP Boost Converter|Inverters & Converters| - AliExpress

Don’t forget that doing 12v to 24V conversion means double the current from the boat supply (at around 8A). i.e. even thicker leads are needed.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks. That's very helpful, and a very useful tip about the 2V-24V DC-DC. Can you remember where you bought that or are they readily available?

I'm about to buy one for a completely different purpose. There are loads on eBay: search "12V 24" step up convertor" for things like this: 12V To 24V DC Car Step Up Voltage Power Converter Boost Regulator Waterproof 72W | eBay

 

[jfkal]

If used indoors a laptop plug will do. If outdoors either the Torqeedo orig or the one from Sunware

 

[mattonthesea]

AFAIK@ the Torquedo works at 48v. Any charging below that will be stepped up by the battery software. But it would be worth checking this out first! The guys at Nestaway are very helpful.

 

[pvb]

AFAIK@ the Torquedo works at 48v.

My Torqeedo 1003 has a 29.6v battery.

 

[migs]

Ok, just for the record: the Torqeedo Travel has an 8S (actually 8S8P) LiFePO4 cell pack that moves between ~ 20V empty to ~29.6V full. The battery housing includes a built-in charging circuit that takes the 12V or 24V presented by you at the charging connector (current limited to 4A) and clever electronic circuitry adapts that feed as needed to charge the battery.

As far as charging goes, the user doesn’t really care what type and voltage battery is fitted; you just need to comply with the manufacturers charging instructions.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Ok, just for the record: the Torqeedo Travel has an 8S (actually 8S8P) LiFePO4 cell pack that moves between ~ 20V empty to ~29.6V full.

That's typical of an 8-cell Li-ion battery.

 

[Poignard]

Can anyone tell me why is the charger connection socket (see item 3 in picture)on my Torqeedo 1103c only reading minus 5.2 volts even though the battery is 100% charged?

I would have expected it to show the full battery voltage, whatever that is. And for the centre pin to be positive with respect to the outer sleeve.

 

[dolabriform]

Can anyone tell me why is the charger connection socket (see item 3 in picture)on my Torqeedo 1103c only reading minus 5.2 volts even though the battery is 100% charged?

I would have expected it to show the full battery voltage, whatever that is. And for the centre pin to be positive with respect to the outer sleeve.

View attachment 118433

The charge unit connection goes to a built in charge controller, so you are not reading the battery voltage but whatever the controller puts on those pins

 

[Poignard]

The charge unit connection goes to a built in charge controller, so you are not reading the battery voltage but whatever the controller puts on those pins

I see. Thanks.
So I should be OK to plug in and try the 12v charging lead I have made? (Provided I have got the polarity right, of course.)