Lithium and DC-DC Charger?
My two group 27 lead acid batteries need replacing. Even though I'm too old to get maximum benefit from lithium longevity, I am thinking about going with a single 100 AH LifePO4 lithium. Doing some r...
Forum Discussion
Some comments on lithium (iron) and battery to battery chargers (B2B).
Lithium iron batteries will take a LOT of current. As a test, at a battery manufacturer's shop, I connected a fully discharged, 100Ah lithium iron battery directly to my Chevrolet based Tiger. Drew 100A and, more to the point, kept up that high draw for nearly an hour. Never see charge rates like that with AGM. With a 250A alternator, I was probably safe as I normally use about 125Ah over night, but imagine the draw of a 300Ah battery bank after two days of rain.
B2B first became popular for charging deep cycle lead acid batteries on vehicles whose alternators were set to 13.9v. (E.g. many Toyota, Mercedes, etc.) Most B2B were relatively low amp (i.e. 20-30A) devices, but because they had proper charging voltages of over 14v, they worked much better.
Most American pickups already have charging circuits that run at over 14v, so their utility was limited. But with the new Euro standard and other energy saving circuits, they are experiencing a renaissance.
For lithium they can be ideal as, assuming the proper profile, they can provide the correct voltage and, since they cannot draw more than a certain amount of current (typically 10-20% above their rated output) they can prevent an overload of the factory alternator.
Hope this is useful.
Lithium iron batteries will take a LOT of current. As a test, at a battery manufacturer's shop, I connected a fully discharged, 100Ah lithium iron battery directly to my Chevrolet based Tiger. Drew 100A and, more to the point, kept up that high draw for nearly an hour. Never see charge rates like that with AGM. With a 250A alternator, I was probably safe as I normally use about 125Ah over night, but imagine the draw of a 300Ah battery bank after two days of rain.
B2B first became popular for charging deep cycle lead acid batteries on vehicles whose alternators were set to 13.9v. (E.g. many Toyota, Mercedes, etc.) Most B2B were relatively low amp (i.e. 20-30A) devices, but because they had proper charging voltages of over 14v, they worked much better.
Most American pickups already have charging circuits that run at over 14v, so their utility was limited. But with the new Euro standard and other energy saving circuits, they are experiencing a renaissance.
For lithium they can be ideal as, assuming the proper profile, they can provide the correct voltage and, since they cannot draw more than a certain amount of current (typically 10-20% above their rated output) they can prevent an overload of the factory alternator.
Hope this is useful.
