MCP1630RD-NMC1 - 

Low Cost NiMH Battery Charger board preprogrammed to charge 3 NiMH cells. Charge profile and number of batteries can be changed with firmware. The design uses the MCP1630 High-Speed Analog PWM combined with the PIC microcontroller. Charge current is initially set for 1.35 A fast charge.

Features:

Programmed parameters - modified in firmware

Factory Settings:
- Preconditioning Charge Current =170 mA
- Preconditioning Threshold = 3 V
- Constant Current Fast Charge = 1.35 A
- Charge Termination based on delta - VBATT / delta time
- Charge Termination based on delta + TBATT / delta time, with external thermistor installed

Top Off Charge Current = 130 mA for 1 Hour

Overvoltage protection (battery removed)

Overcharge protection to prevent damaging the battery

Overcurrent protection in the event of a shorted battery

Battery reversal protection

Input short circuit protection

Overtemperature protection to prevent the battery from reaching too high a temperature during charge

Soft-start capability by holding the reference voltage low during power-up

The MCP1630 Low-Cost NiMH Battery Charger has the flexibility to optimize the charging algorithm for new battery technology, different battery chemistries or different battery pack configurations

Proprietary features can be added by modifying the firmware contained in the PIC12F683

The factory-programmed source code is available

Ability to adapt to environmental effects, such as ambient temperature