lifepo4 and maxxfan
Hello, I am new here. I didn't see a new member introduction so I will do that quickly before posting my question. Matt from Michigan. I have a 1989 pop top 8' skamper on a 2004 2500 duramax. So...
Forum Discussion
BFL13 wrote:Agree.
. . . If it is not too late you might want to return that one for their two-stage version. The original one-stage like you got was a mistake, where they thought an LFP could float on 14.x for an extended time, or else they expected you to not float the LFP at all . . .
After doing at least 15-20 heavy discharge cycles with our LifePo4 battery pack using a standard, 3-stage, lead-cell 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v converter, I'm come to the conclusion there's very little to no advantage to using a one or two stage 14.6v dedicated lithium converter (we sold ours). Yes, a 14.6v charge voltage will charge a LifePo4 to 100%. 14.4v will only charge a LifePo4 to ~99% SOC. However . . . lifePo4's don't do well being floated at (or stored with) a high state of charge for long periods of time like a lead-cell battery. IMO there's little to be gained jumping through hoops (purchasing a 14.6v lithium converter) to get that last 1% SOC. If ah capacity is a concern, why not simply discharge 1% lower.
IMO, a single-stage 14.6v lithium converter is far from an ideal choice. It subjects the LifePo4 and all the DC components in the camper to a 14.6v (bulk charge) 24/7/365. IMO a 2-stage or 3-stage converter/charger (of any kind) is a better choice. It will spend the majority of its time in a lower voltage 13.2v/13.6v float/absorption mode---a good thing. Zero chance of overcharging a LifePo4, plus the DC components in your camper won't be forced to operate on the upper end of their voltage range 24/7.
