luigiman

I have a friend with a Schwinn Tailwind that is obviously pretty old. The charger seems to have died, I opened it and found a soldered in fuse that is blown. I can't see any other obvious issues, though the top of one cap in the output section is bulged a little, and there is a hairline crack in one power transistor that is one of 4 on the same heatsink with the ac-dc convertor, I guess it's probably a voltage regulator. I would upload pics, but I can't seem to make it work. I'm wondering if it's worth replacing that fuse, has anyone done this before? I'm also wondering if anyone can tell me where to get a replacement charger?

luigiman

It's not letting me attach pics until I've posted 10 times, unfortunately. If I can help anyone to describe the problems I see, let me know. I am just thinking that if there really was something wrong that would cause a new fuse to blow, it would involve a burned area, a bit of a smell etc., but I don't see that.

My preference would be to just buy a replacement charger, but options aren't immediately forthcoming online, so if anyone can direct me to a Schwinn service centre in the UK that would help...

Doc_Wui

Chargers are inexpensive. You do have to look on the label of the old one to see what rated voltage and current.

I did fix one once, but it just a loose component that needed resoldering,

luigiman

OK, I guess I can just google a replacement with the same voltage and current. I did do that already, but I couldn't find an exact replacement, with the right plug for the battery. Would you just DIY the existing plug on a new charger?

Doc_Wui

Yes, I would. I interchange my 2 amp and 3 amp chargers all the time. Don't have anything higher. The voltage of course, has to be an exact match.

luigiman

Yes, I can imagine the voltage has to match, but does the current really have to match? This charger that I have is 8.4a, which is really high. Wouldn't a lower current one, like even only 3or 4 amps, just charge the battery slower?

2old

Charging the battery slower won't hurt in any way, and reportedly is "better" for the battery. Obviously, it will take a little longer, but 2 amp or 3 amp is fine. Biggest problem may be locating a charger (appropriate V, of course) with the correct connector. Don't be surprised if the battery is toast, and if it were me, I wouldn't charge it anyplace you wouldn't want a fire to start.

luigiman

Well, I should be able to remove the connector from the broken charger and wire it to the new one...

Doc_Wui

8,4A. Is the tailwind a lead acid battery?

luigiman

It's a Lithium Titanate battery, apparently something of a rarity, but they are very fast charging, 90% capacity in 10min. Search for a guy called Syonyk, who blogged in detail about the Tailwind, and explains it. He even tore down a battery pack. His posts are about the only useful info there is online about the Tailwind...

I can't post the links to his blog yet, but you'll find them with google.

Doc_Wui

Yes. That's a fast charging battery chemistry, Too exotic for me,