Gerdes System Technology: Using Pic micro controllers for battery chargers.

Battery chargers have been our primary field of activity since 1990. Back then it was not economically feasible to use micro controllers in battery chargers for power tools. This is a mass market with 100K pieces and more per product per year. It is therefore extremely cost sensitive. Shortly after the appearance of the Microchip 16C54 device, I was convinced, that this was the key to breaking the old barriers. Due to the high speed RISC architecture the controller was able to perform all the necessary control tasks while handling a much better charge control algorithm. These improvements lead to a longer battery life and greater customer satisfaction at competitive prices.

The new technology was named and later trademarked as GIM technology. The first chargers were 1.5 amp nicad battery chargers. But our technology became more and more advanced with a large variety of products. We offer power tool chargers with only 10 minutes full charge time and power outputs up to 300 Watts.

The device shown is the Gim Plus universal battery charger. It charges all standard household batteries including NiMh and alkaline cells. Features include a switching power supply and a PIC 16C55 micro controller. For pricing and availability please contact Mükra electronics. The design of this particular device based on our original concepts was done by TCE, very good partners of mine.

For further information on Microchip micro controllers that are highly versatile for a variety of applications while consuming only minimal quiescent power, check the Microchip home page: