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Power Path controller

Category: Hardware
Product Number: Power Path controller

Greetings,

I'm trying to develop an application where I have a generator (motor) as my main source, when activated, and as secondary source a battery (or supercapacitors). The system works this way:

- If my generator is "on" and I have a load, he's my supplier;

- If I don't have a load and my battery is not fully charged, the generator feeds the battery;

- If I have a load and by any chance the generator stops, my battery assumes the power (maybe just for a few minutes).

So, I'm trying to find the best components and circuit to create this. Maybe I'll be able to replace the battery for some supercapacitors.

I found some articles here, one of them DN450 - Supercapacitors Can Replace a Backup Battery for Power Ride-Through Applications, but the tension Vin I need is something up to 40V. The value changes, even if it's DC, on the input and the output, depending on specifications like speed of the motor or characteristics of my load.

Also found some components like LTC4412 (Rev. C)LTC3350 (Rev. D) and LTC3351 (Rev. B) but I don't know if I'm on the right path.

If someone need any other information, let me know.

I really need help and appreciate the answers and advices.

  • Hello,

    A lot might depend on how much backup power is needed, what the backup voltage needs to be boosted to, and for how long. The parts mentioned above do not quite go up to 40V for the input, Looks like they will operate at 35V or 36V depending on the device. Another device that might be considered is the LTC4020. This is a battery charger but will handle more than 40V input. 

  • Thank's for your suggestion, I'm gonna read about it.

    35V it's ok I hope, I just tried to put a marge to 40V but a regulator or a similar could solve it I guess. The battery it's something around 9V -12V, 300mAh. For the possibility of supercapacitors I could adapt for the CI. It's actually something small just to hold the power for some minutes if the generator stops. Some other thing I have doubts it's the battery type, I saw some datasheets specifiyng the type like Li-ion, the ones I found were NiMH so I don't know if they would work.

  • Hello,

    I am not sure what ADI has for Ni battery chargers. The LTC4020 does not have a specific algorithm for Ni batteries. CC mode can work but must be aware that they can be over charged. The LTC3350/51 does not have any battery algorithms for any battery. Software would need to be used to control when the charger starts and stops.