This looks like an excellent component to use in a DIY battery charger:
http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/FA/FAN9612.htmlThe datasheet and application notes have excellent details on how to design a complete power supply (eg, battery charger) that is highly efficient!
A new term goal for me is to develop a more efficient on-board 110v/220v charger for my 120V pack. The unit i have now is grossly outdated and inefficient (huge, noisy, hot and 50% efficient at best). The FAN9612 (or similar) looks like a great start at building a modern charger that is efficient, cost-effective and flexible.
High level structure of a EV pack charger:
AC-Power Network => PFC Frontend => DC/DC Converter => EV Battery Pack
The PFC Frontend maintains a high PF between the power grid and the load (DC/DC converter in this case).
The DC/DC converter stage can be customized to implement the chemistry-dependent charging algorithm (logic) and adjustable output voltage and current control.
Am i nuts or does this seem straightforward? (It is possible that i am both nuts and this is straightforward too:-)