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Groover's avatar
Groover
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2019

Renogy batteries and charging

I am thinking about putting Renogy lithium-iron batteries in by RV but Renogy sales tells me that I need a charger made specifically for that type of battery. I currently have a Magnum ME2012 charger/inverter that has lots of adjustments but nothing that specifically says lithium. I tried every way that I can think of to contact Magnum about an upgrade with no success. So I am asking here. Does anyone here use a Magnum charger with lithium-iron batteries and how is it working out for you?

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  • Groover's avatar
    Groover
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2019
    pianotuna wrote:
    LI in general, do not prefer a float charge.

    I see Renogy is offering a 170 amp-hour 12 volt battery.


    Interestingly the cost per kwh is less for the 100ahr battery than it is for the 170ahr. However, the maximum current is about the same. I guess that is due to the cell protection circuits. I figured that 4 100ahr batteries would be better than 2 or 3 of the bigger ones so that I would be less likely to exceed the rated discharge rate plus my coach is set up for 4 medium size batteries already.
  • Groover's avatar
    Groover
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2019
    pianotuna wrote:
    https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/mobile-power-products

    and to email or phone them:

    https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/contact-power-conversion-solutions-team


    Groover wrote:
    I am thinking about putting Renogy lithium-iron batteries in by RV but Renogy sales tells me that I need a charger made specifically for that type of battery. I currently have a Magnum ME2012 charger/inverter that has lots of adjustments but nothing that specifically says lithium. I tried every way that I can think of to contact Magnum about an upgrade with no success. So I am asking here. Does anyone here use a Magnum charger with lithium-iron batteries and how is it working out for you?


    I have used the email on the Magnum page 2 weeks ago and called every number on the page with no response yet. A couple of days ago I spent an hour on hold and advanced from #3 in line to #2.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 26, 2019
    https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/mobile-power-products

    and to email or phone them:

    https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/contact-power-conversion-solutions-team


    Groover wrote:
    I am thinking about putting Renogy lithium-iron batteries in by RV but Renogy sales tells me that I need a charger made specifically for that type of battery. I currently have a Magnum ME2012 charger/inverter that has lots of adjustments but nothing that specifically says lithium. I tried every way that I can think of to contact Magnum about an upgrade with no success. So I am asking here. Does anyone here use a Magnum charger with lithium-iron batteries and how is it working out for you?
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jan 26, 2019
    LI in general, do not prefer a float charge.

    I see Renogy is offering a 170 amp-hour 12 volt battery.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2019
    Ask Renogy for the specific requirements for charging their batteries.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2019
    I couldn't find any direct answers to that on here, and your charger won't say Lithium, for sure.

    After finding out the bulk charge voltage required, set the Mag to that. Set absorb time to zero. Set float to whatever voltage required. Magnum should allow that.

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