Abstract: A combined battery charger and battery equalizer for equalizing a first battery bank and charging a second battery bank, respectively includes a buck-boost power converting circuit configured to convert a received electrical voltage into, either a battery equalization voltage, or a battery charging voltage. The buck-boost power converting circuit is connected to an output switch configured to enable output of either the equalization voltage level to a battery equalizer output connector, or the battery charging voltage to a battery charging output connector. A combined battery charging and battery equalization system includes a voltage source connected to a combined battery equalizer and battery charger configured to convert an electrical voltage received from the voltage source into either a battery equalization voltage or a battery charging voltage, and connected to either a positive pole of a starter battery bank or to a voltage reference point of a service battery bank.

Abstract: A battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) that allows for separation of charging of a battery (23) and delivery of electrical energy to a first set of consumers (24). The battery may be charged via a first path (29) for connecting the battery with an energy source (22), while electrical energy may be supplied via a second path (30) (separate from the first path) from the energy source to the first set of consumers. The first set of consumers may also be powered by the battery via third path (31) e.g. if the energy source is off. A control unit (32) is adapted to control the supply of electrical energy along the first, second and third paths in response to a detected state of the energy source. A battery operated system (21a) including the battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) is also provided.

Abstract: A combined battery charger and battery equalizer for equalizing a first battery bank and charging a second battery bank, respectively includes a buck-boost power converting circuit configured to convert a received electrical voltage into, either a battery equalization voltage, or a battery charging voltage. The buck-boost power converting circuit is connected to an output switch configured to enable output of either the equalization voltage level to a battery equalizer output connector, or the battery charging voltage to a battery charging output connector. A combined battery charging and battery equalization system includes a voltage source connected to a combined battery equalizer and battery charger. The combined battery equalizer and battery charger is configured to convert an electrical voltage received from the voltage source into either a battery equalization voltage or a battery charging voltage.

Abstract: A battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) that allows for separation of charging of a battery (23) and delivery of electrical energy to a first set of consumers (24). The battery may be charged via a first path (29) for connecting the battery with an energy source (22), while electrical energy may be supplied via a second path (30) (separate from the first path) from the energy source to the first set of consumers. The first set of consumers may also be powered by the battery via third path (31) e.g. if the energy source is off. A control unit (32) is adapted to control the supply of electrical energy along the first, second and third paths in response to a detected state of the energy source. A battery operated system (21a) including the battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) is also provided.

Abstract: Method for managing a battery system including a number of serially coupled batteries in a flexible, reliable, and cost effective way and that can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as tools, for example, hand tools, cars, boats, back-up systems, buses, trucks, golf carts, wheel chairs, electric cars and fork-lift trucks. The method includes the steps of detecting the battery voltage over each individual battery of the battery system; and utilizing a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the system during operation of the battery system. Furthermore, the method controls the voltage distribution of the batteries to create a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the battery system.