SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY CHARGER SELF TEST AND DIAGNOSTIC MEANS

• US 20100315089A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lester Electrical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lester Electrical Incorporated
• Inventors: Rapich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/485,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20100315089A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits

Abstract

A self diagnostic battery charging system may include a battery charger and a diagnostic module having a power supply separate from the battery charger. Additionally, a method may include executing a diagnostic program and indicating a result from the diagnostic program.

Claims

1. A self diagnostic battery charging system, comprising:

a battery charger including

a control board including a controller configured to execute a diagnostic program,

a display,

an input device,

means for converting AC power to DC power configured to provide power to charge a battery, and

at least one output cable configured to be operably coupled to and transfer DC power to the battery;

a battery charger function test button configured to test at least one of a display operation or an internal circuit;

a diagnostic self test circuit including a fault indicator configured to be initiated by a battery charger function test button and turned off when the battery charger is determined to be functional;

a second power supply configured to supply power to the battery charger function test button and the diagnostic self test circuit; and

at least one diagnostic indicator.

2. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the battery charger function test button comprises:

a circuit configured for informing the control circuit board of the self test is invoked.

3. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second diagnostic self test circuit configured to test an electronic battery load.

4. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 3, wherein the second diagnostic self test circuit configured to test an electronic battery load comprises:

a second diagnostic self test circuit configured to test battery voltage.

5. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 3, wherein the second diagnostic self test circuit configured to test an electronic battery load comprises:

a second diagnostic self test circuit configured to test battery current.

6. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic indicator comprises:

at least one fault light.

7. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fault light comprises:

at least one fault light indicating an AC power fault to the battery charger.

8. The self diagnostic battery charging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagnostic indicator comprises:

at least one error code.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving an indication of a triggered test button configured for initializing a battery charger diagnostic self test circuit, where the triggered test button is communicatively coupled to a battery charger, the battery charger is coupled to a first power source, and the triggered test button and the battery charger diagnostic self test circuit are coupled to a second power source, where the battery charger diagnostic self test circuit includes a fault indicator configured to be initiated by a battery charger function test button and turned off when the battery charger is determined to be functional;

executing a diagnostic program for testing the battery charger subsequent to receiving an indication of a triggered test button;

determining a status of the battery charger from execution of the diagnostic program; and

indicating at least one result from the diagnostic program on at least one diagnostic indicator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining a status of the battery charger from execution of the diagnostic program comprises:

replicating an electronic battery load.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein replicating an electronic battery load comprises:

replicating a current.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein replicating an electronic battery load comprises:

replicating a voltage.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating at least one result from the diagnostic program on at least one diagnostic indicator comprises:

indicating at least one error code.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating at least one result from the diagnostic program on at least one diagnostic indicator comprises:

indicating at least one fault.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating at least one result from the diagnostic program on at least one diagnostic indicator comprises:

indicating an AC power fault.

16. A battery charger, comprising:

a controller;

a diagnostic module having a power supply independent of the controller, where the diagnostic module is configured to diagnose at least one of a battery charger fault or a battery fault;

a diagnostic indicator configured to communicate a diagnosis, including at least one fault indicator where the fault indicator is configured to be initiated by a battery charger function test button and turned off when the battery charger is determined to be functional; and

a battery load module configured for at least one of testing or simulating a battery load.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein diagnostic module having a power supply independent of the controller, where the diagnostic module is configured to diagnose at least one of a battery charger fault or a battery fault comprises:

an AC power supply.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein diagnostic indicator configured to communicate a diagnosis, including at least one fault indicator comprises:

a display screen configured to indicate an error code.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

an overload protector.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

an AC/DC power converter.