Converter/Charger Questions.
I have a one year old rig and thinking of replacing my WCO converter, or at least have a spare. Last season the stock unit quit charging for a day and started working again the next day. So confiden...
Forum Discussion
Concur with time2roll's comment: Many to most "lithium" converters are not really good for lithium.
It's a very common misconception that a "lithium approved" converter is necessary to safely charge a lifepo4 battery/cells. Not true.
A typical, late model 3-stage lead-cell converter produces 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v. They will safely and fully charge a lifepo4 battery (only exception are WFCO's; they charge safely, but may not charge to 100%). There is nothing inherently magical or special about most "lithium approved" converters except the 14.6v bulk charging voltage.
Some may find this to be somewhat of an eye-opener, but you actually risk over-charging a lifepo4 battery if you float it with a single-stage "lithium approved" 14.6v converter for long periods of time. There is NO such risk with a lead-cell 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v converter. For two reasons. They bulk charge at a lower, safer voltage (14.4v), plus they drop down to 13.2v/13.6v float/absorption mode---preventing any chance of overcharging.
If you feel the need to upgrade to a "lithium approved" converter, seriously consider purchasing a multi-stage (typically 2-stage) lifepo4 converter. They typically bulk charge at 14.6v, then float at 13.6v. Stay away from any and all single-stage units.
P.S. Don't blindly buy into the simple notion that one must charge at 14.6v in order to charge a lifepo4 to 100% SOC (vs. 99.9% SOC at 14.4v). Unlike lead-cell batteries, lifepo4 do better when they are NOT sitting around at 100% SOC. So, what's the point---what do you gain by charging at 14.6v? To my knowledge, not a single thing (except maybe a few seconds reduced charge time and a few seconds of additional discharge time).
It's a very common misconception that a "lithium approved" converter is necessary to safely charge a lifepo4 battery/cells. Not true.
A typical, late model 3-stage lead-cell converter produces 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v. They will safely and fully charge a lifepo4 battery (only exception are WFCO's; they charge safely, but may not charge to 100%). There is nothing inherently magical or special about most "lithium approved" converters except the 14.6v bulk charging voltage.
Some may find this to be somewhat of an eye-opener, but you actually risk over-charging a lifepo4 battery if you float it with a single-stage "lithium approved" 14.6v converter for long periods of time. There is NO such risk with a lead-cell 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v converter. For two reasons. They bulk charge at a lower, safer voltage (14.4v), plus they drop down to 13.2v/13.6v float/absorption mode---preventing any chance of overcharging.
If you feel the need to upgrade to a "lithium approved" converter, seriously consider purchasing a multi-stage (typically 2-stage) lifepo4 converter. They typically bulk charge at 14.6v, then float at 13.6v. Stay away from any and all single-stage units.
P.S. Don't blindly buy into the simple notion that one must charge at 14.6v in order to charge a lifepo4 to 100% SOC (vs. 99.9% SOC at 14.4v). Unlike lead-cell batteries, lifepo4 do better when they are NOT sitting around at 100% SOC. So, what's the point---what do you gain by charging at 14.6v? To my knowledge, not a single thing (except maybe a few seconds reduced charge time and a few seconds of additional discharge time).
