Converter voltage drop

Microlite Mike wrote:
LiFePo4 batteries need >14 volts at the end of their charge cycle to assure proper cell balance. Whether 14.2, 14.4, or 14.6 really doesn't matter much and their BMS will actually shut off charging current when the voltage exceeds the manufacture's setting (14.7v on my Battleborn's).

If one is boondocking and cycling the batteries regularly a converter that delivers a fixed voltage from 14.4-14.6 v will charge quickly, depending on battery bank capacity and output rating of converter. Once charged the generator is usually shut down and the battery starts another cycle. No harm done to batteries with the "fixed voltage" as the battery isn't held at this high voltage for an extended period (measured in weeks and months, not hours or days).

When tied to shore power the recommendation is to just charge batteries to 100% and disconnect batteries, running only on Converter output which was sized by the manufacturer to run all 12v items without the need for a battery. If connected to shore power for months and months, Battleborn recommends to just switch batteries back online a recharge every 6 months.

If one has a converter that won't deliver >14 volts long enough to top balance the cells of a LiFePo4 battery, one economical solution is to purchase a battery maintainer that has "Lithium" capability. A NOCO Genius 2 amp smart charger is only $49 on Amazon and can be directly connected to the battery when running the generator or connected to shore power for topping off and cell balancing. Don't even need to shut off the converter as once the battery voltage reaches the max of the converter, the converter will essentially stop delivering current to the battery. The "maintainer will take over until it's max voltage is reached when cells are balanced and battery is fully charged.

All the monitoring, switching on and off of the converter (and generator) you've described, is necessary if you use single-stage converter/charger---especially if it's a 14.6v unit.

If you purchase/use a multi-stage converter/charger (13.2/13.6/14.4 or 13.6/14.6) none of the monitoring or switching you've described would be necessary.