What Is The Schauer Battery Charger 42V 17A?
The Schauer Battery Charger 42V 17A is a high-current industrial-grade charger designed for lithium-ion and lead-acid battery systems. Operating at 42 volts with 17 amps output, it delivers 714W rapid charging, optimized for golf carts, utility vehicles, and commercial equipment. Features include multi-stage charging (bulk/absorption/float), temperature compensation, and IP65 waterproofing. Advanced models integrate CANbus communication for real-time BMS synchronization, extending cycle life by 20-30% vs. generic chargers.
48V 420Ah Lithium Forklift Battery
What defines the Schauer 42V 17A charger?
This charger combines 42V output and 17A current for heavy-duty applications. Built with aluminum-alloy housing and IGBT switching tech, it achieves 92% efficiency. Input ranges 90-264VAC suit global deployments, while selectable charge profiles (LiFePO4/GEL/AGM) ensure chemistry-specific optimization. Pro Tip: Use temperature sensors to adjust voltage ±0.03V/°C—prevents winter undercharge and summer overvoltage.
Schauer’s design employs three-phase rectification to minimize harmonic distortion below 5%, critical for industrial sites with sensitive electronics. Why does this matter? Unlike cheap chargers that cause electrical interference, this unit won’t disrupt warehouse management systems. A 42V 17A model charging a 200Ah lithium pack can refill 0-80% in 5.5 hours (vs. 9 hours at 10A). For example, a golf course fleet manager could charge six 42V carts simultaneously overnight without grid overload. The modular design allows daisy-chaining up to three units for 51A output in parallel mode.
Where is this charger commonly used?
Dominant applications include electric golf carts, floor scrubbers, and telehandlers. Its 17A output suits 150-300Ah battery banks common in Class II/III industrial vehicles. Niche uses include marine auxiliary systems and solar storage buffer charging.
Beyond mobility equipment, the Schauer 42V 17A shines in repetitive charge cycles. Consider a distribution center using electric pallet jacks: their 42V 210Ah batteries deplete 1.5 cycles daily. At 17A, this charger completes partial recharges during lunch breaks—adding 30% capacity in 90 minutes. How does it handle varying loads? The microcontroller dynamically adjusts pulse width modulation (PWM) between 5kHz-15kHz to maintain efficiency across 10-100% loads. A real-world test with Yale ERC050VG trucks showed 18% faster turnaround versus legacy 10A chargers, saving 11 hours weekly per vehicle. Pro Tip: Pair with RFID-enabled docks to track each battery’s charge history and health.
| Application | Battery Type | Charge Time (0-100%) |
|---|---|---|
| Golf Cart | LiFePO4 42V 105Ah | 5.2 hours |
| Floor Scrubber | AGM 42V 180Ah | 8.9 hours |
| Telehandler | NMC 42V 240Ah | 11.3 hours |
How does it differ from other 42V chargers?
Key differentiators are CANbus integration and active power factor correction (PFC). Competing units often lack communication protocols, forcing blind charging that degrades cells. The 0.99 PF rating also reduces utility penalties in high-demand facilities.
Practically speaking, Schauer’s CANbus allows real-time data exchange with battery management systems (BMS). If a cell group hits 3.65V during charging, the BMS signals the charger to throttle amperage—eliminating risky voltage spikes. Cheaper chargers rely solely on voltage thresholds, potentially missing cell imbalances. Imagine charging a 42V lithium pack with a ±2% voltage tolerance charger: weak cells could be overcharged while stronger ones aren’t filled. Schauer’s system reduces such risks by 60%. Pro Tip: For lithium packs, always enable the “Li-Fe” mode to apply the correct 58.8V absorption voltage.
| Feature | Schauer 42V17A | Generic Charger |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | CANbus/J1939 | None |
| Efficiency | 92% | 78-85% |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year |
What safety mechanisms does it include?
Eight safeguards dominate: reverse polarity protection, over-temperature shutdown, and ground fault detection. A proprietary arc suppression circuit breaks 42V DC loads at 15ms response time—50% faster than industry norms.
In emergency scenarios, like a battery short circuit, the charger’s IGBT modules can cut output within 2 milliseconds. How’s this achieved? Current transformers monitor inflow/outflow differentials, triggering shutdowns if imbalances exceed 0.5A. For example, if a forklift battery’s terminal corrodes and resistance spikes, the charger detects abnormal voltage drop and initiates cooldown mode. Pro Tip: Monthly calibration using Schauer’s CT-200 tester ensures fault detection accuracy—misaligned sensors cause 22% of false shutdowns.
Can it charge multiple battery types?
Yes, via user-selectable profiles for LiFePO4 (58.8V), AGM (50.4V), and flooded (56.4V). Custom voltages can be programmed via Schauer’s PC Suite software, though this voids UL certification if modified beyond ±8%.
Beyond preset modes, advanced users leverage the charger’s adaptive algorithm for niche chemistries like lithium titanate (LTO). While not factory-supported, setting absorption voltage to 46.2V (2.3V/cell) works for 20S LTO packs. However, what about sulfated lead-acid batteries? The “Recovery” mode applies 15V pulses at 17A for 30-minute intervals—desulfating 12V AGM banks wired in series. Pro Tip: Always disconnect batteries before switching chemistries; incorrect voltage settings during live charging cause irreversible BMS damage.
Battery Expert Insight
FAQs
No—42V systems have strict 58.8V max. Connecting to 48V packs (67.2V full charge) risks immediate fault codes and MOSFET failures.
Is overnight charging safe?
Yes, if using the correct profile. The float stage maintains batteries at 95% without overcharging—auto-shutdown occurs after 24hrs as a failsafe.