# Best Lipo battery booster + charger **URL:** \ **Category:** Finding Parts\ **Created:** [17 November 2021 00:01 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141 "2021-11-17T00:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 00:01 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/1 "2021-11-17T00:01:07Z")
Hi, I have an experimental project in design phase for generating charge from a wind turbine. I am building a small wind turbine which will provide variable charge ranging between (i think) 0v and 24v(max). My intention was to feed this into a buck converter such as: > **[20W Adjustable DC-DC Buck Converter with Digital Display](https://core-electronics.com.au/20w-adjustable-dc-dc-buck-converter-with-digital-display.html)** > > This is a 20W adjustable DC-DC buck converter module with digital display. It is based on LM2596 3A step-down voltage regulator and supports an input of 4~40V DC .. read more to regulate the voltage, and then connect that output to a booster / charger module connected to the battery, so I could essentially have a self powered and charging project. I was look at the: > **[MP2636 Power Booster & Charger Module](https://core-electronics.com.au/mp2636-power-booster-charger-module.html)** > > In many applications, we will use lithium batteries as our power solutions. In this kind of application, the most two important things are the power boost and battery .. read more which seems great. However am I still able to get sufficient statistics about the battery charge and health? Would it be better that i use the: > **[SparkFun Battery Babysitter - LiPo Battery Manager](https://core-electronics.com.au/sparkfun-battery-babysitter-lipo-battery-manager.html)** > > The SparkFun Battery Babysitter is an all-in-one single-cell Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery manager. It’s half battery charger, half battery monitor, and all you’ll ever need to keep your battery-powered project running safely and extensively. Thanks for your input. ---
**Author:** ![James46717](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@James46717](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/James46717)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 11:21 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/2 "2021-11-17T11:21:35Z")
Can you provide more information on the Wind Turbine output ?? The 20W adjustable DC-DC buck converter is a DC to DC converter, you would use it to convert a 12VDC source to a 5VDC source; for example. I have used similar to provide a stable 5V source to a Raspberry Pi over the discharge cycle of a number of NiMH cells. ie 6 cells = 8.4V charged to 6.6V discharged. If the wind turbine output is not DC then the buck converter may not work too well. Also if the wind turbine output varies too much the regulator can drop in and out. Regards Jim ---
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 11:59 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/3 "2021-11-17T11:59:40Z")
Thanks Jim. _This is experimental_ for me. I actually have 2 motors, which I’m using as alternator like /generating turbines. One is DC and I’m told can be used for 6v/12v/24v batteries, but the dc output is obviously variable. The other motor was from a heating duct fan, which was 240v AC. I suppose that would require an AC/DC converter of sorts? Sorry I’m not fully across all things electronic! ---
**Author:** ![James46717](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@James46717](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/James46717)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 19:42 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/4 "2021-11-17T19:42:11Z")
I think it might be better to buy a commercial regulator charger, designed to work with wind turbines and solar panels. Rather than using parts available here. Most likely you will have more success. Of course it comes at a cost, but with a guarantee it will work. Once you have the 12VDC out of the regulator you can use a DC to DC converter to get 5VDC to charge a LiPO or such. Its the path I would follow, rather than trying to design my own. Cheers Jim EDIT: You will need a 12V battery attached for the regulator to work, something to load it so you get a smooth output. (the manual for the Rutland HRSi Regulator 12/24V states to never operate without a battery connected) This would then be used to power a 12VDC system or connected to a DC-DC converter to get 5VDC. Some of links I found below when searching for “wind turbine regulators and chargers”. [https://www.solazone.com.au/wind-turbine-controllers/](https://www.solazone.com.au/wind-turbine-controllers/) > **[Power Generation Wind Charge Controllers](https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/power-generation/wind-charge-controllers/)** > > Wind charge controllers manage or convert the raw output from a wind generator to be compatible with the battery that is being charged. ---
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 22:48 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/5 "2021-11-17T22:48:38Z")
Thanks James, that’s super helpful! 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Oliver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/oliver/32/3315_2.png) [@Oliver](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Oliver)\ **Post date:** [17 November 2021 23:24 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/6 "2021-11-17T23:24:03Z")
> [@Leo97682](#): > > The other motor was from a heating duct fan, which was 240v AC I suspect this one won’t doa lot for you by itself. It’s probably an induction motor - It’s pretty rare to see a 240V fan that’s not powered by a single phase induction motor. You’ll likely need to supply some current from an external power source to build a magnetic field first, though once running, with the right external components, it might be self sustaining. See: > **[Induction motor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_motor)** > > An induction motor or asynchronous motor is an AC electric motor in which the electric current in the rotor that produces torque is obtained by electromagnetic induction from the magnetic field of the stator winding. An induction motor therefore needs no electrical connections to the rotor.\[a\] An induction motor's rotor can be either wound type or squirrel-cage type. > Three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors are widely used as industrial drives because they are self-starting, reliable, and ec... Here’s someone who’s done just that: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/OML8LjGegrQ/hqdefault.jpg "Self excited induction generator (part 1)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OML8LjGegrQ) Alternatively, you can add some strong permanent magnets to get the magnetic field, which is what Great Scott did in this video: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/05qJM-zZ4ng/maxresdefault.jpg "HACKED!: Turning an Induction Motor into a Generator?!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05qJM-zZ4ng&t=195) As for using a DC motor (assuming it’s a permanent magnet motor and not a [universal motor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_motor)) You won’t get DC out of a permanent magnet DC motor, you’ll actually get an AC voltage out. The exact waveform will depend on the design of the motor (and of course the speed you spin it at). Probably a practical option here is to get a second-hand alternator from a wreckers, and just use a 12V regulator from a car - which is a pretty common approach for DIY off-grid generation too. Just be mindful that it’s possible to generate significant voltage, particularly if it’s unloaded and there can be serious hazards. I’d recommend learning the theory on some small toy motors first - and keep it ELV ie. below 50V AC and 120V DC. ---
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 00:08 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/7 "2021-11-18T00:08:38Z")
Wow that’s super informative, thank you Oliver. I will take a good look through that material. Rest assured everything will start with careful testing and multimeter readings before being applied to anything. I’ll look into this AC motor, It’s very old but not large. It’s about 10cm in diameter and 8cm high. Thanks again for the really informative reply. -Leo ---
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 00:09 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/8 "2021-11-18T00:09:28Z")
Also - although this unit is expensive it can be paired with solar which is exactly what i had in mind! Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 00:24 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/9 "2021-11-18T00:24:27Z")
Hi Oliver If it is a commutated motor you will get DC out of it. Provided it is permanent magnet type and not field coil type. But. Motors (commutated) and generators have different brush positioning and normally different brush material. Motor copper and generator carbon. DC generator brushes are positioned for minimal arcing and does not coincide with rotor/magnet relative position. I don’t recall if the brushes lead or lag the rotor but some used to be adjustable over a short range. Usually not a good idea th turn in reverse. We tried once with an automotive type generator petrol driven to charge radio batteries. The mechanical layout dictated it had to turn the wrong direction. The result was a disaster. There was so much electrical noise generated by arcing of the brushes the whole thing was unusable while radio (HF SSB) was in use. Cheers Bob ---
**Author:** ![Oliver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/oliver/32/3315_2.png) [@Oliver](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Oliver)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 00:40 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/10 "2021-11-18T00:40:57Z")
I should clarify, the polarity won’t reverse, but there’ll definitely be a significant AC component, more like rectified AC - it’ll be about the noisiest ‘DC’ you’ll get. (@Leo97682 to show what we mean) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nKRaGJ_y5JM/maxresdefault.jpg "Using an oscilloscope to show the voltage from a DC generator") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKRaGJ_y5JM) ---
**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 01:54 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/11 "2021-11-18T01:54:25Z")
Hi Oliver Rectified action provided by the commutator. Rather like a synchronous vibrator in old battery HT supplies. Cheers Bob ---
**Author:** ![Leo97682](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/leo97682/32/5549_2.png) [@Leo97682](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Leo97682)\ **Post date:** [18 November 2021 22:32 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/best-lipo-battery-booster-charger/12141/12 "2021-11-18T22:32:11Z")
Hi @Oliver, in response to your videos, I found this one which manages to obtain a stable current draw from an AC motor, without magnets, just using capacitors in the circuit. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/j-LgEbdJ8AM/maxresdefault.jpg "500 An Induction Motor As A Generator Without Altering The Motor") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-LgEbdJ8AM) For the record, this is still above my electronics knowledge, so I still have to get my head around this (and safely). One guy has provided a really useful comment on this video about how to calculate the capacitors required. Although I don’t fully understand it, it’s still very interesting. Cheers, Leo