Lithium Vs. More Solar
Having learned so much from members here since my initial posts in early 2018, I've been grateful that the learning curve has been relatively steady, and informative. I've truly appreciated the guidan...
Forum Discussion
Itinerant1 wrote:CA Traveler wrote:
Li's require different and unique charging and charger. Does your mfg 120VAC charger whatever it is have that capability? Does your solar controller also have that capability? Not a question of additional solar or batteries.
What is so unique or different for charging?
Yes having a programmable system would be best but certainly not needed.
Agreed...Though I had some initial reservations about charging my single 200a/hr LiFePo4 with my existing PD 9245 or ProSine 2.0, and was looking for other possible solutions, after a few repeated trials while monitoring the end of charge ramp-up data (via Linklite and Victron BMV) this has not proven to be a problem...
All that is required is a steady 14.4v (approx) which can easily be achieved on the PD with the charge wizard set to Boost, after which the PD switches to a inconsequential 13.6v...
During the brief end of charge voltage ramp-up, once batt 14.4v has been achieved, one can see (via metering) the volts and amps values rise and lower alternatively as the BMS performs it’s internal balancing function, which last for only a few minutes...Once the Victron’s programmable tail current, voltage, and charge-time parameters have been met, the SOC re-sync’s to 100% SOC. It is in this way that it’s easy to verify ‘truth in SOC’ - lol
Both of my single-stage solar controllers (30a MPPT and later a 12a PMW) are were already factory set at 14.4v.
To lay rest to any freezing concerns I mounted the Li in the campers interior (beneath dinette) and simply repurposed the battery box for storage...I added a battery disconnect switch directly to the pos battery post to overcome various parasitic drains when being stored - for longer term storage, battery is happier somewhere in the mid SOC range.
No regrets for me, and have nearly doubled my ‘usable’ battery capacity with far quicker solar recovery times and a nearly flat voltage curve - great for air conditioning...
3 tons
