Battery charger advice

jdkoepsell
jdkoepsell Member Posts: 26
edited March 9 in Battery/Electrical & Solar
I have a 12.8V 230Ah Li Time lithium battery.  Any recommendations for a battery charger?  The manual recommends a 14.6V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery charger and discourages using alligator clip connection.  Looks like they are available in 10, 20, and 40A models, which I suppose just depends on how fast you want to charge the battery.

Comments

  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,755
    edited March 9
    We went with the 30 amp Victron smart charger. It configures for LiFePO4's and will network with your other Victron devices (solar controllers, shunt) for more efficient charging.
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025
  • Grumpy_G
    Grumpy_G Member Posts: 758
    edited March 10
    Don't waste your money on a smart charger, RV LiFePo batteries don't require different stages of charging. The ubiquitous LiFePo chargers are simple constant voltage power supplies at 14.4-14.6 V. Personally I don't even use a dedicated LifePo charger but an adjustable lab power supply set to 14.4V . 

    Edit re alligator clips: These clips can have less than ideal contact and high resistance can lead to heat, especially with higher power chargers. You don't want to emulate Battleborn .... :) 
  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 856
    We have your same battery and for simplicity I got the LiTime brand 10 amp charger and it came with a plug in connector. I just isolate the battery whenever I need to bring it to 100%.

    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite towed by 2016 5.7L Toyota Tundra

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