[OT] Charging UPS batteries outside the UPS

[Ben Scott]

On 8/7/07, Drew Van Zandt <drew.vanzandt at gmail.com> wrote:
> OK, then I'll offer a real EE, knowledgeable about battery charging answer.

  Hey, now.  Information based on formal education and grounded in
scientific fact?  This is the Internet, here.  We can't have that.
;-)

> Tell me what the capacity is, and the model number, and I'll check the
> proper charging profile from the datasheet ...

  What, you're saying I should RTFM for the battery?  :)  Heh, I
actually never thought of that.  I typed the P/N from the side into
Google, and sure enough, and found the datasheet as the second link.
(Panasonic LC-R127R2P1, for those of you following along at home.)

  The datasheet gives "Charge Method (Constant Voltage)" for two
scenarios:  "Cycle use (Repeating use)" has an initial current of <=
2.88 A, and a control voltage of 14.5 to 14.9 V.  "Trickle use" has an
initial current of <= 1.08 A, and a control voltage of 13.6 to 13.8 V.

  I almost sort-of understand that.  :)  But I don't have the
knowledge to translate it into "What will happen if I hook it up to an
automotive charger?"

  Thanks!

-- Ben