Battery charger question

[Asparagus]

Hi, I am an amateur electronics enthusiast, I was trying to understand the inner workings battery chargers like Turnigy Accucell 6 Charger.
See Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LfU4mjgpyM

My understanding is that there are no chips specific to Lithium Ion or NiMh battery. The charging algorithm is driven by the micro processor. In theory would it be possible to reprogram the microprocessor to introduce support to new battery chemistry? Can one design a battery charger that can support a new type of battery via remote software upgrade?

 

[chuckey]

Yes of course it is, but at a price. You don't want to spend an extra $10 to make a $5 unit re-programable. Also if you picked it out of a drawer how would you know what sort of battery its configured for?
Frank

 

[Asparagus]

Hi Frank,

My project is to add a small chip to every battery similar to this onehttps://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/24LC00T-I%2FOT/24LC00T-I%2FOTCT-ND/857656. It can store the battery type in the chip, which is the micro processor can read and pull up the algorithm from memory. As the world invents newer batteries the unit can be upgraded via software (using a smart phone or wifi)

 

[chuckey]

Why not use contactless card technology? The memory must contain the charging information for the battery, including types that have not yet been designed. It could be better if the battery memory just contained a type number and the charger held the look up table which can be updated via the net.
Frank

 

[Asparagus]

Why not use contactless card technology? The memory must contain the charging information for the battery, including types that have not yet been designed. It could be better if the battery memory just contained a type number and the charger held the look up table which can be updated via the net.
Frank

Actually that was my initial idea, we could use RFID tags to read the unique battery ID and look up the specs. but I am not sure how I can update the MCU memory using a smart phone APP. If I have to use Wifi connectivity will it not add additional cost? If Wifi connectivity is to be provided we will also need a touch screen to input wifi password.

The objective is create a user friendly platform for DC battery charging that can be used by housewives for household gadgets. Current battery chargers are very manual. We have to make connections using messy cables and have to select the battery type and the number of cells in series, this whole process can be automated if we can get the charger to read a unique id from the battery.