My group and I are working on a project that requires a backup power module in the event that main power is lost. Currently, we have decided to use a battery pack and a relay module to do so, with poor results. The battery pack consists of 8 AA batteries to get as close to 12V as possible. Ideally, we want the batteries to charge while the circuit is connected to main power and then once charged to 12V the batteries would be disconnected. Then if main power is lost, the batteries would be able to provide the 12V needed for the rest of the circuit until main power was restored.
Is there a product offered that would be able to accomplish this task?
Unfortunately we don’t have a product that does what you’re looking for and we don’t have anything that will charge AA sized batteries.
Not sure how you have things connected now, but I’d connect your charger to your batteries all the time, and then use a relay to select between mains power and battery power. You could connect the coil on the relay to your mains power source so that when the mains fails, the relay turns off and switches to battery. Keep in mind the rest of your project will be without power for a small period of time while the relay switches from mains to batteries.
If you wanted an easy, truly uninterruptible solution, you might be better off switching to a 12 volt lead acid battery and using a 13.5 volt power source as a charger and to supply power to your project while mains is available. The 13.5 volt power source will charge your battery and supply power to your project while on mains and when mains fails, the battery will take over.