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Topic: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy (Read 527 times) previous topic - next topic

Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

A friend building his own RV is planning on buying two lithium batteries and would like to know what battery charger to purchase.

Planning on buying 2 of these:

Viper EV-120-1A 120 AH LifePO4 Deep Cycle

Any battery charger brand & model recommendations are welcomed.

Thanks,
Barry

Re: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

Reply #1 –
Hi Barry, I believe that battery has been discontinued, but for 120v charging the Victron IP65 would be a good choice. Or if he's going to change the inverter, the Victron Multiplus 3k is a great choice.

Here's the links:

Blue Smart IP65 Charger (120V and 230V) - Victron Energy

MultiPlus - Victron Energy
J.R.
99 U320 40' WTFE
Build # 5388

Re: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

Reply #2 –
With 240 amp hr total capacity you should limit charge rates to 48 amps (20% of capacity) or less.

The ip65 15 amp charger is about $147 at Bay Marine.
Victron Smart Waterproof Battery Charger with Bluetooth

I am using a 40 amp Sterling ProCharge Ultra set for LiFePO4 charge profile.  It has separate charge outputs for the house and start batteries.  Generally it is plenty to keep up with use on my 600 amp hr LiFePO4 batteries.  For 240 amp hr capacity you could use a smaller one.  If we are plugged in our Victron 3000VA Multiplus is off.  Our residential refrigerator and the front end electronics all run full time on a smaller dedicated Victron inverter.

Sterling ProCharge Ultra 40 Amp Boat Battery Charger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

Reply #3 –
I know what to look for when I buy a lead acid battery charger, but have no idea how to charge lithium batteries.

But for those thinking about or have switched to lithium batteries, will any battery charger work if it has a lithium charge profile?
I assume that not all lithium batteries are configured the same and different lithium batteries should use different profiles?

If a charger does not have a lithium charge profile, should it not be used with lithium batteries?

With lithium battery voltage not being reduced as battery discharges allowing a battery to be useful below 50%, is it correct that the charge profile needs to be quite different than lead acid profiles.

Should we be thinking about Bulk - Absorption - Float as different steps in charging lithium batteries?




Re: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

Reply #4 –
Each LiFePO4 manufacturer will suggest a profile for their batteries.  The differences between lead and lithium charge profiles are voltages at each stage and time.

Frequently Asked Questions | Battle Born Batteries

For BattleBorn
"As mentioned above in the video, the battery prefers to bulk charge at 14.4 volts and float at 13.6 volts. Most standard chargers can handle these settings.
Some chargers are made for lithium, and will, in most cases, charge faster than a standard charger."

... Our charging parameters consist of the following:

Bulk/absorb = 14.2 – 14.6 V
Float = 13.6 V or lower
No equalization (or set it to 14.4 V)
No temperature compensation
Absorption time is 20 minutes per battery (if it's an option)
12 V

Bulk/absorb 14.2 – 14.6 Volts (we usually recommend 14.4) float 13.6 Volts or lower

No equalization (or set it to 14.4 V), no temperature compensation and absorption time is 20-30 minutes per battery (if it's an option)."

Charge rates can be as much as 50% of rated capacity but 20% rates will get you the maximum number of cycles.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Question on Lithium Battery Charger to buy

Reply #5 –

Thanks for the lithium responses for our creative friend building his own class-B motorhome from a new van.

Ray has chosen this charger:

DAKOTA LITHIUM Ultra Fast 12v 20 Amp Lithium LiFePO4 Battery Charger $200

Ultra Fast 12v 20 Amp Dakota Lithium LiFePO4 Battery Charger

For his two Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries $765 ea

Amazon.com: Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery: Automotive

Thanks to all,

Barry & Cindy

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