Abstract:
A battery charger detection system is provided. The battery charger detection system includes a battery charger, an indicator, and a controller. The controller detects an initial electrical coupling of the battery charger to a battery and measures a first voltage of the battery upon the electrical coupling. The controller further measures a second voltage of the battery and actuates the indicator in response to both a continued electrical coupling between the battery charger and the battery and the second voltage being less than or equal to the first voltage after a predetermined length of time.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to the charging of electric vehicles and, in particular, to battery charging systems of electric vehicles. 
         [0003]    State of the Art 
         [0004]    Electric vehicles, such as golf carts and other utility vehicles, require regular charging of the flooded lead-acid batteries to ensure they are available for use. Currently, when an electric vehicle is connected to a charger, the attendant can observe a visual indicator on the charger or listen for an audible signal that the battery is charging. 
         [0005]    For fleet operations, as in golf course facilities, where numerous vehicles are being managed by the attendant, the time may not be taken to verify each charger is indeed operating properly and charging the battery. Also, due to facility constraints and methods of charger mounting, the visual indicator may not be readily visible and the audible signal may not be distinguishable between so many vehicles. These factors can result in non-functional chargers going undetected, which results in the vehicle not being available for service when required. 
         [0006]    There is thus a need to provide a means and/or method to ensure the proper charging of electric vehicles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure relates to the charging of electric vehicles and in particular to the detection and notification of inoperative battery chargers. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery recharging system comprising: a battery charger; and an indicator, wherein in response to the battery charger being electrically coupled to a battery a first voltage value of the battery is measured, and wherein a second voltage value of the battery is measured and the indicator is actuated in response to the value of the second voltage being less than or equal to the first voltage after a predetermined length of time. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery recharging system comprising: an initial charge detection, wherein a battery charger is electrically coupled to a battery; and an indicator, wherein in response to the initial charge detection a first voltage of the battery is measured, and wherein the indicator is actuated in response to a second voltage being less than or equal to the first voltage after a predetermined length of time. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present disclosure includes an inoperable battery charger detection system comprising: a battery charger; an indicator; and a controller, wherein the controller detects an initial electrical coupling of the battery charger to a battery and measures a first voltage of the battery upon the electrical coupling, and wherein the controller measures a second voltage of the battery and actuates the indicator in response to both a continued electrical coupling between the battery charger and the battery and the second voltage being less than or equal to the first voltage after a predetermined length of time. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of detecting an inoperable battery charger, the method comprising: electrically coupling a battery charger to a battery; measuring a first voltage of the battery; subsequently measuring a second voltage of the battery; comparing the second voltage to the first voltage; and indicating an operational status of the battery charger thereby. 
         [0012]    The foregoing and other features, advantages, and construction of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent and fully appreciated from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a battery recharging system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the control logic associated with a battery charging detection event of an embodiment of a battery recharging system in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the control logic associated with a battery charging detection event of an embodiment of a battery recharging system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures listed above. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0018]    As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0019]    The drawings depict illustrative embodiments of a battery recharging system  10 . The embodiments may comprise various structural and functional components that complement one another to provide the unique functionality and performance of the system  10 , the particular structure and function of which will be described in greater detail herein. For example, embodiments of the battery recharging system  10  may comprise one or more of a controller, a battery, and a battery charger, as well as other structural and functional components, that may be capable of establishing electrical connectivity to one another to perform their respective intended functions. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise a battery charger  20 . The battery charger  20  may be a microprocessor-based, high-frequency, solid state device, capable of electrically coupling a power source  12  to a battery  16  for the purpose of recharging the battery  16 . The battery charger  20  may further comprise a controller  22  configured to control and govern the operational aspects of the charger  20 , including, but not limited to, the execution of the on-board software, the storing of charging and operational information in a memory, the real-time monitoring of changes in voltage in the battery  16  to deliver the appropriate charge to the battery  16 , and the modification of the charge cycle depending on the needs of the battery  16 . The battery charger  20  may further comprise an alternating current (AC) power cable  26  and a direct current (DC) power cable  28 , each of which may be releasably detached or recoupled to the battery charger  20 , as needed. In other words, each of the AC power cable  26  and the DC power cable  28  is replaceable on the battery charger  20 , as needed. The AC power cable  26  may also be configured to connect to a power source  12 , such as an AC power outlet, to provide power to the electrical components and functionality of the battery charger  20 . The DC power cable  28  may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery  16  to establish electrical connectivity between the charger  20  and the battery  16  to permit the charger  20  to recharge the battery  16 . As such, when the AC power cable  26  is plugged into the power source  12  and the DC power cable is electrically coupled to the battery  16 , the charger  20  may recharge the battery  16 . 
         [0021]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise a battery  16 . The battery  16  may be a battery system having a single battery, a bank of batteries, a bank of batteries with a dedicated controller, or the like. For example, the battery  16  may be configured as a 48 V 100 Ah battery, or other similar battery. Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the battery  16  being a power source for an electric-powered device. Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the battery  16  being part of a vehicle  30 , such as a golf cart, utility vehicle, forklift, passenger vehicle or the like. The battery  16  may serve as the sole source of power to propel the vehicle  30 , as in a traction battery pack for golf carts and utility vehicles, while in others the battery  16  may function as a supplemental power source, as with a hybrid drive. The vehicle  30  may comprise a controller  32 . The controller  32  may be a microprocessor-based control unit capable of controlling, operating, monitoring, governing, or otherwise directing the operational aspects of the vehicle  30 , including for example, but not limited thereto, the operations of a propulsion mechanism, such as a motor, to propel the vehicle  30 , the operations of on-board software, the operations of a GPS unit, the operations of a visual display unit (VDU), and the charging and discharging of the battery  16 . During operation of the vehicle  30 , the controller  32  may be configured to direct power from the battery  16  to the motor to facilitate the movement of the vehicle  30 , in response to user inputs, such as, for example, the user depressing the pedal of the accelerator. In other words, based on user input received and processed by the controller  32 , the battery  16  may be directed by the controller  32  to deliver electrical energy to the motor to operate the motor and drive the vehicle  30 . 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may further comprise the battery charger  20  being positioned externally to the vehicle  30 , as exemplarily depicted in  FIG. 1 . In other words, the battery charger  20  may be separate and independent from the vehicle  30 . In such embodiments, when not in use, the battery charger  20  may remain plugged into the AC power source via cable  26 . Then, when the battery charger  20  is needed to recharge the battery  16  in the vehicle  30 , a plug  29  at the end of the DC cable  28  may be inserted into a corresponding plug port  31  on the vehicle  30  to thereby supply power from the power source  12  to the vehicle  30 , and in particular to the battery  16  on the vehicle  30 . In alternative embodiments of the battery charging system  10 , the battery charger  20  may be positioned internally to the vehicle  30  with the DC cable  28  already coupled between the battery charger  20  and the battery  16 . As such, the battery charger  20  may be integral with the vehicle  30 . In such embodiments, when the battery  16  needs to be recharged, the vehicle  30  can be attached via AC cable to the AC power source. 
         [0023]    With the battery charger  20  in either an external or internal configuration with the vehicle  30 , as described herein, the battery charger  20  and its associated controller  22  may be configured to communicate a power connection signal (i.e., a power detection signal) when the battery charger  20  is electrically coupled between the AC power source, such as external power source  12 , and the DC power source, such as the battery  16 . The power connection signal (i.e., power detection signal) may be sensed by the controller  32  on the vehicle  30 . The controller  32  may be configured to use the power connection signal from the battery charger  20  to govern the operational aspects of the vehicle  30  accordingly. For example, the controller  32 , upon sensing the power connection signal, may send a lockout signal to the motor  33  to prevent the motor  33  from engaging or otherwise spinning. In particular, a traction control or interlock circuit in the controller  32  may monitor the event of connecting the battery  16  to the power source  12  by way of the battery charger  20 . The act of coupling the plug  29  to the corresponding plug port  31  may complete the charge circuit between the charger  20  and the battery  16 , which may cause a change in an electrical parameter, such as a change in voltage or other electrical parameter, between the battery  16  and the controller  32 . This change in parameter may be the power connection signal sensed by the controller  32 , causing the controller  32  to send the lockout signal to the motor  33  to prevent movement of the vehicle  30 . 
         [0024]    By sensing the electrical parameter change, the controller  32  may be configured to transition the motor  33 , and thus the vehicle  30 , between the locked-out state and an operational state. For example, while electric power is being delivered from the external power source  12  to the battery  16 , via the battery charger  20 , the voltage supplied from the battery  16  to the controller  32  is relatively low and the interlock circuit within the controller  32  can continue to disable the motor so that the vehicle  30  is prevented from being operated, moved, or the like. With the motor/vehicle  30  in the locked-out state, the motor will not operate and the vehicle  30  will remain stationary. The motor may remain in this locked out state to prevent movement of the vehicle  30  so long as the battery  16  is electrically coupled to the power source  12  via the battery charger  20 . However, once the battery  16  is disconnected from the battery charger  20 , the controller  32  may be configured to sense the change in voltage between the battery  16  and the controller  32  may respond to the change in voltage by terminating the lockout signal to the motor to thus enable the motor. With the motor placed in the operational state, the movement of the vehicle  30  is no longer restricted and/or disabled and the vehicle is permitted to be moved or operated, as needed. 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the controller  32  being configured to govern one or more of the operational aspects of the vehicle  30  based on inputs received by the controller  32  from such components as, for example, the vehicle  30 , the battery  16 , and/or the battery charger  20 . The controller  32  may be configured to receive and send electrical and data communication to one or more of the communication control device  40 , the VDU  31 , the audible indicator  27 , the visible indicator  29 , and/or the motor  33 , as described herein and as schematically depicted in  FIG. 1 , to control and govern the operational aspects thereof. Moreover, embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the controller  32  being a stand-alone traction control circuit or a traction controller that is configured to receive and send data, signal, and electrical input from, for example, the battery  16 , the battery charger  20 , and/or the vehicle  30  to thereby communicate operational instructions to these and other components of the vehicle  30 . For example, once the traction controller receives the electrical parameter change described herein, the traction controller may send the lockout signal to the motor  33 , which may be a separate component from the controller  32 . Further in example, the traction controller may be configured to communicate with the VDU  31  and communication control device  40  via a communication bus that allows the traction controller to provide operational instructions to the VDU  31  and the communication control device  40 . Indeed, one or more communication buses may be configured between component parts of the system  10 , as needed, to provide adequate communication capability therebetween, as described herein. The traction controller may be further configured to communicate with the audible indicator  27  and the visible indicator  29  to govern their respective operations and functions. In this way, the traction controller may operate and function to control the other operational aspects of the vehicle  30  described herein. And, in addition thereto, embodiments of the system  10  may further comprise the various component parts of the system  10  being arranged in other variable configurations that allow the system  10  to function as herein described. 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may further comprise the VDU  31  being configured to include the communication control device  40 , so that the wireless communication signal that is sent to a third party  50 , to be described in greater detail herein, may be sent to the third party  50  by way of the communication control device  40  as part of the VDU  31 . For example, using the capability of the VDU  31 , a wireless communication signal may be sent via a web server, a wireless network, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a cellular or mobile network, and/or other wireless communication means by the communication control device  40  to the third party  50  to provide information to the third party  50  about a particular vehicle  30  and its operational status, including historical status and real-time status. 
         [0027]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may further comprise one or more status indicators configured to communicate one or more operational aspects of the power source  12 , the battery charger  20 , the battery  16 , and/or the vehicle  30  to a third party  50 , such as an operator, attendant, and/or user. For example, one or more charger indicators  25  configured on the battery charger  20  may communicate an operational status of the battery charger  20 . One or more of the charger indicators  25  may indicate whether or not the battery charger  20  is electrically coupled to the power source  12 . Such an indicator may be an LED light that lights up in response to the battery charger  20  being electrically coupled to the AC power source  12 . Another of the charger indicators  25  may be an LED light that lights up to indicate the amount of charge remaining in the battery  16 . Another of the charger indicators  25  may indicate one or more general operational problems with the battery charger  20 . These charger indicators  25 , for example, may thus communicate the operational status of the battery charger  20  to the third party  50 . 
         [0028]    Other status indicators in the battery charging system  10  may be configured on the vehicle  30  to communicate an operational status of the battery charger  20 , the battery  16 , and/or the vehicle  30  to the third party  50 , such as an operator, attendant, and/or user. For example, when the controller  32  of the vehicle  30  senses the power connection signal connection between the power source  12  and the battery  16 , through the battery charger  20 , the controller  32  may instruct an audible indicator  27  on the vehicle  30  to sound an audible signal to alert the third party  50  that electrical connection has been established between the power source  12  and the battery  16 . The audible indicator  27  may be a buzzer, beeper, or other audible device capable of making an audible noise/alert, such as a speaker. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the audible indicator  27  being the normal indicator that is customarily used on golf carts and other utility vehicles to indicate the vehicle  30  is in reverse mode. For example, when a transmission control or other equivalent directional control of the vehicle  30  is placed into a reverse setting, the controller  32  may be configured to actuate the audible indicator  27  to generate a beep. The controller  32  can be configured to actuate the same audible indicator  27  when the vehicle  30  is being recharged. The audible indicator  27  may be an additional indicator, but need not be as the existing audible indicator of the vehicle  30  may be used. Moreover, as suggested, the same audible sound may be used to indicate both charging and reverse mode, but embodiments of the charging system  10  may include different audible sounds, different audible sound patterns, and/or different audible sound tones being generated for reverse and for charging, to thereby distinguish therebetween. Further still, the controller  32  may be configured to instruct the VDU and/or the on-board speakers of the vehicle  30  to be the audible indicator  27  to generate the audible alert for charging connection (i.e., the power connection signal). 
         [0030]    In addition or in the alternative, the battery charging system  10  may further comprise a visual indicator  29  to communicate an operational status of the battery charger  20 , the battery  16 , and/or the vehicle  30  to the third party  50 , such as an operator, attendant, and/or user. For example, although the audible indicator  27  has been herein described in association with charging status, the visual indicator  29  may be used to additionally or alternatively communicate charging status to the third party  50 . That is, the visual indicator  29  may be used separately from the audible indicator  27  or as a supplement to the audible indicator  27 . For example, embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the controller  32 , in response to the sensing of the power connection signal, utilizing the VDU  31  to visually indicate to the third party  50  one or more operational aspects of the battery charger  20 , the battery, or the vehicle  30  itself. The controller  32  may instruct the VDU to display an acknowledge button or icon that may permit the third part  50  to silence the audible indicator  27 . The controller  32  may further provide instructions to the third party  50  as to what additional steps, if any, may need to be taken to ensure proper charge between the power source  12  and the battery  16 . 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may further comprise the charging system  10  being configured to identify, or otherwise recognize, an inoperable battery charger  20 , or a battery charger  20  that fails to provide electric charge to the battery  16 . For example, the controller  32  may be configured to determine a circumstance when the battery charger  20  is electrically coupled between the power source  12  and the battery  16  but the battery charger  20  fails to charge the battery  16 . In such circumstances the battery charger  20  may be an inoperable battery charger, or a battery charger  20  that does not perform its intended function. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are flow charts illustrating operations of the battery charging system  10  according to embodiments. In step  100 , an initial power connection may be monitored, such as, for example, the presence or absence of the power connection signal generated between the power source  12  and the battery  16  when the battery charger  20  is electrically coupled therebetween. Further in example, the initial power connection that is monitored may be the interlock signal generated by the interlock circuit of the controller  32  that disables the motor of the vehicle  30 . At any rate, in step  100 , the determination may be made as to whether the battery charger  20  is plugged into the vehicle  30  to establish electrical connectivity between the power source  12  and the battery  16  of the vehicle  30 . If the battery charger  20  is not plugged into the vehicle  30 , the controller  32  keeps the vehicle  30  in an operational state and, in step  102 , turns the instruction to sample the battery voltage for the purpose of testing for an inoperable charger to OFF. Without the battery charger  20  connected, there is no need to attempt to sample the battery voltage to test for an inoperable charger. In step  104 , the controller  32  sets the connection status between the battery charger  20  and the vehicle  30  to DISCONNECTED to reflect that the battery charger  20  is indeed disconnected from the vehicle  30 . In step  106 , the controller  32  sets the charging confirmation status of the battery  16  to OFF, because without the battery charger  20  charging the battery  16  there may be no need to confirm the charge. In step  108 , the controller  32  sets the inoperative battery charger notification to OFF, because without the battery charger  20  connected the controller  32  need not monitor the operational status thereof. In step  110 , the controller  32  turns the timer associated with the time the battery  16  has been charging to OFF because without the battery charger  20  connected to the battery  16 , there is no charge time to monitor or count. When steps  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  have been accomplished, the controller  32 , in step  100 , thereafter continues to look for the initial power connection from the battery charger  20  between the power source  12  and the battery  16 . 
         [0033]    When the battery charger  20  is indeed plugged into the vehicle  30  to recharge the battery  16 , the controller  32  senses the initial power connection and disables the vehicle  30  through the interlock circuit of the vehicle harness, as described herein. With the battery charger  20  electrically connected to the vehicle  30  (and its battery  16 ) and the vehicle  30  in the locked-out status, in step  120 , the controller  32  nevertheless confirms that the vehicle is in locked out status and that the connection status between the battery charger  20  and the vehicle  30  is set to DISCONNECTED. Under these conditions, in step  122 , the controller  32  samples the voltage of the battery  16  and records this sample voltage as the current battery voltage. The recorded voltage may be stored in a memory of the controller  32 . In  124 , the controller  32  may set the status of the control logic for determining the presence of an inoperable charger to ON.  FIG. 3  illustrates in greater detail the control logic for determining the presence of an inoperable charger, which will be discussed in greater detail herein. 
         [0034]    In step  126 , the controller  32  turns the timer associated with the time the battery  16  has been charging to ON to track the amount of time that has passed since the controller  32 , in step  104 , measured the battery voltage and recorded the same in the controller&#39;s  32  memory. In step  128 , the controller  32  sets the connection status between the battery charger  20  and the vehicle  30  to CONNECTED to confirm that the battery charger  20  is indeed electrically coupled to the battery  16 . At this stage, therefore, the electrical connection of the battery charger  20  to the battery  16  has been detected, the vehicle  30  has been placed in the locked-out state, the initial battery voltage has been measured and recorded, the controller  32  has been instructed to begin the control logic for the detection of an inoperable battery charger, and the timer for measuring the time the battery  16  has been charging has been started. The control logic of  FIG. 2  then returns to step  100  and continues to loop to step  120  and back to step  100 , repeatedly, until the battery charger  20  is disconnected from the vehicle  30  and the vehicle&#39;s interlock circuit ceases the lockout of the motor and traction control, at which point the control logic flows from step  100  to step  102  and on through step  110 , as described above. 
         [0035]    With the status of the control logic for determining the presence of an inoperable charger set to ON, from step  124 , the controller  32  may begin to govern and perform the control logic illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, in  200 , the controller  32  may confirm that the control logic for determining the presence of an inoperable charger is indeed set to ON. The controller  32  may also continue to measure the voltage of the battery  16  and compare the measured voltage to the recorded voltage stored in the memory from step  122 . In general, when the battery charger  20  is electrically coupled to the battery  16  and operating according to its intended function, the voltage in the battery  16  should rise over a given time period. Thus, if in step  200  the measured voltage is greater than the recorded voltage, the controller  32  may confirm the battery charger  20  is operative (i.e., operating according to its intended function and delivering electric charge to the battery  16 ) and proceed to step  202 . In step  202 , the controller  32  may change the status of the charging confirmation status of the battery  16  from OFF to ON to thereby confirm to the battery charging system  10  that the battery charger  20  is functioning properly. The battery charger  20  may thereafter continue to charge the battery  16  until the third party  50  desires to disconnect the battery charger  20  from the vehicle  30 , at which point the control logic flows from step  100  to step  102  and on through step  110 , as described above and set forth in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0036]    On the other hand, if the measured voltage from step  200  is less than or equal to the recorded voltage from step  122 , then the controller  32  may be required to confirm several other charging parameters to confirm whether or not the battery charger  20  is operative or inoperative. For example, in step  204 , the controller  32  confirms that the connection status between the battery charger  20  and the vehicle  30  is still set to CONNECTED to confirm that the battery charger  20  is indeed electrically coupled to the battery  16 . In step  204 , the controller  32  also confirms that the status of the charging confirmation status of the battery  16  is still set to OFF to thereby confirm that the controller  32  has not yet confirmed that the battery charger  20  is functioning properly to deliver an adequate charge to the battery  16 . In step  204 , the controller  32  may also compare the elapsed time measured by the timer in step  126  to a predetermined time. Time can be used to calculate an expected rise in voltage in the battery  16 . For example, based on the laws of physics and the configuration of the battery charger system  10 , for a predetermined interval of time, the controller  32  may expect or otherwise anticipate from calculations that the battery charger  20 , functioning properly, has had enough time to raise the voltage of the battery  16  above the initial recorded voltage. If the battery charger  20  cannot meet these predetermined requirements, the controller  32  may conclude that the battery charger  20  is inoperative. Thus, in step  204 , if the measured time is below the predetermined time, then the controller  32  may instruct the system  10  to return to step  200  for the voltage of the battery  16  to be measured again. Step  200  is thus repeated and the measured voltage is compared with the recorded voltage from step  122 . As described above, if the measured voltage is greater than the recorded voltage, the controller  32  may proceed to step  202  and confirm the battery charger  20  is operative. On the other hand, if the measured voltage is less than or equal to the recorded voltage, the control logic may proceed to step  204 . In step  204 , the measured time is again compared to the predetermined time. If the measured time is still less than the predetermined time, the step  200  may be repeated again. Yet, if the measured time is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, then the controller  32  may conclude that the battery charger  20  has had ample time to raise the voltage of the battery  16  above the recorded voltage (i.e., initial voltage when the battery charger was connected) and has not been able to do so. Under these circumstances, the controller  32  may determine in step  206  that the battery charger  20  is inoperative. 
         [0037]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise the controller  32  being configured to communicate the inoperative status of the battery  16  to the third party  50  by way of the indicators  25 ,  27  and/or  29  or by another means. For example, the controller  32  may generate an audible alert through the audible indicator  27  to indicate to the third party  50  that the battery charger  20  is inoperative. In like manner, the controller  32  may generate a visual alert through the visual indicator  29  to indicate to the third party  50  that the battery charger  20  is inoperative. By way of example, once the system  10  determines that the battery charger  20  is inoperative, the controller  32  may instruct the audible and visual indicators  27  and  29 , as part of the VDU controlled and operated by the controller  32 , to alert the third party  50  as to the status of the battery charger  20 . The VDU may have a button or control thereon that allows the third party  50  to silence the audible alert. The VDU may also display instructions thereon to the third party  50  as to how to address the inoperative battery charger  20 , such as repairing, resetting, or replacing the battery charger  20 . 
         [0038]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise other means by which the system  10  may communicate the status of the inoperative battery charger  20  to the third party  50 . For example, embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may comprise a communication control device  40  that can be configured to wirelessly connect to a communications network, web server, or other internet-enabled devices, and/or the internet through WiFi, cellular modem, Bluetooth, or other similar wireless technology. The status of the electrical connection of the battery charger  20  to the vehicle  30  and the battery voltage may be communicated at periodic intervals to the communication control device  40 , as well as the controller  32 , to keep the communication control device  40  and controller  32  up to date. As such, the controller  32  may be configured to wirelessly communicate, even in real-time, with the third party  50  regarding the status of the power source  12 , the battery charger  20 , the battery  16 , and/or the vehicle  30 . For example, if and when the system  10  detects an inoperative battery charger  20 , the controller  32  and the communication control device  40  may function to wirelessly transmit a communication, such as an e-mail, text message, social media post, or the like, to the third party  50 . The communication may include such information as site name, site location, site identification, vehicle number, and time of detection, for example. 
         [0039]    Embodiments of the battery charging system  10  may be configured with a switch or control to disable or otherwise alter the performance of the system  10  for vehicles  30  that are operated within a Watt Miser system that charges at off-peak times. 
         [0040]    While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as required by the following claims. The claims provide the scope of the coverage of the present disclosure and should not be limited to the specific examples provided herein.