Lithium LifePo4 Battery Charging Guide

How to charge a LiFePO4 batteries? That is one of the most common questions we get from our customers. The answer is simple: use a LiFePO4 battery charger, of course. When charging LiFePO4 batteries, make sure that you are not using a charger meant for other lithium ion chemistries, which are typically designed with a higher voltage than what is required by LiFePO4. We are often asked if a lead-acid battery charger can be used to charge lithium iron phosphate. The short answer is yes, as long as the voltage settings are within the acceptable parameters of LiFePO4 batteries.

Different types of battery chargers

Now, before we even get to the LiFePO4 battery charger, it is vital that you understand something about battery chargers. There are several types of them, with some of them meant for a specific type of battery.

To mention but a few, there are: simple chargers, fast, three stage, smart, pulse and solar chargers. How you choose the type of battery charger matters a lot. While settling for one, ensure that its voltage and current are compatible to that of the battery, the cooling process, and its capability.

Do LiFePO4 batteries need a special charger

LiFePO4 batteries from being used in boat and electrical motorcycles, to powering home energy storage appliances, and it is particularly popular as a trolling motor battery. LiFePO4 batteries run out of power and must be recharged. And because it is a lithium-ion battery, word has it that it must be charged with a special charger? Is this even true?

The answer is yes! You need a special charger for the LiFePO4 lithium-ion batteries. Because lithium-ion batteries use a CCCV charging mode that is different from other types of batteries. And the voltage and current specifications of charger also need to be matched with that of the battery

CHARGER INSPECTION

Before using a LiFePO4 charger, check that your charger’s cables are insulated and free of breakage. Charger terminal connectors should be clean and properly mate with the battery terminals to ensure a good connection and optimum conductivity. Please refer to Brava’s user manual, or your specific battery’s datasheet, for appropriate torque settings.

CHARGING GUIDELINES

If LiFePO4 batteries are not fully discharged, they do not need to be charged after each use. LiFePO4 batteries do not get damaged when left in a partial state of charge (PSOC). You can charge your LiFePO4 batteries after each use or when they have been discharged up to 80% DOD (20% SOC). If the Battery Management System BMS) disconnects the battery due to low voltage (voltage will be <10V), remove the load and charge immediately using a LiFePO4 battery charger.

CHARGING TEMPERATURE

LiFePO4 batteries can be safely charged between 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). LiFePO4 batteries do not require temperature compensation for voltage when charging at hot or cold temperatures. All Brava LiFePO4 batteries come with an internal BMS that protects the battery from low and high temperatures. If the BMS disconnects due to low temperature, the battery must warm up for the BMS to reconnect and accept the charging current. If the BMS disconnects because of high temperature, the battery will need to cool down before the BMS will accept charging the battery. Please refer to your specific battery’s datasheet for the BMS low temperature and high-temperature cut-off and reconnect values.

The charging and discharging temperature for lithium batteries from our LT series is -20°C to 60°C. Bravabattery Low Temperature Lithium Batteries are cold-weather rated, designed for Canada’s cold climates. These batteries have a built-in heating system featuring proprietary technology that draws power from the charger. No additional components are required. The entire process of heating and charging is completely seamless. The heating system automatically activates once charging below 0°C is attempted, and it automatically deactivates when it’s no longer needed. The heating system does not take power from the battery, but rather from the charger, ensuring the lithium battery is not discharging itself and keeping you powered. Simply plug the LT lithium battery into the LiFePO4 charger and the internal heating and monitoring systems take care of the rest.

HOW TO CHARGE LIFEPO4 BATTERIES WITH A LEAD-ACID CHARGER

Most lead-acid battery chargers can be used with LiFePO4 batteries as long as they are within the appropriate voltage guidelines. AGM and Gel algorithms typically fall within the LiFePO4 voltage requirements. The voltage for flooded battery charging algorithms is often higher than LiFePO4 charging requirements, which will result in the BMS disconnecting. If this happens, it is generally good practice to replace your charger for one with a LiFePO4 charge profile. Since the BMS protects the battery, using lead-acid chargers will typically not damage the battery.

Note that if the BMS disconnects due to low voltage, a lead-acid battery charger may not be able to reconnect the BMS, even if the charger has the acceptable charging parameters to charge LiFePO4. This is because when the BMS disconnects, the lithium battery will not have a voltage as it will read 0V on a voltmeter, while lead-acid chargers require the battery to read out a voltage to start charging. If the battery is reading 0V, the lead-acid battery charger will not be able to understand that a battery is connected and that it should start charging. This is also true for some low-quality lithium chargers. It is always recommended that you invest in a high-quality LiFePO4 charger to ensure high performance and longevity. Feel free to contact Brava should you have any questions.

CHARGING LIFEPO4 IN PARALLEL

When connecting LiFePO4 batteries in parallel, please make sure each battery is within 0.1V of each other before putting them in service, This will minimize the chance of imbalance between batteries. If you’re charging 12V LiFePO4 batteries, the charging voltage should be between 14V – 14.2V. When charging 24V batteries in parallel, the charging voltage should be 28V – 28.4V. Charging 36V lithium batteries in parallel requires a voltage of 42V – 42.6V. Finally, charging 48V LiFePO4 batteries require voltage parameters of 56V – 56.8V. Below is a table with a summary showing the voltage requirements for each system voltage.

System Voltage	Charging parameters
12V	14V – 14.2V
24V	28V – 28.4V
36V	42V – 42.6V
48V	56V – 56.8V

The voltage parameters apply to both charging profiles CC and CC-CV. If your charger’s voltage is lower than those listed in the table, it will not damage your battery, but it will be undercharged, and it will not provide the full rated capacity of the battery. If your charger’s voltages are higher than those listed in the tables above, the BMS may disconnect the battery and you may have to remove the load to reconnect. We recommend you replace the charger to avoid this inconvenience and to invest in a high-quality LiFePO4 battery charger.

CHARGING LIFEPO4 BATTERIES IN SERIES

When connecting batteries in series, please make sure each battery is within 50mV (0.05V) of each other before putting them in service. This will minimize the chance of an imbalance between batteries. If your batteries get out of balance, the voltage of any battery is >50mV (0.05V) from another battery in the set, you should charge each battery individually to rebalance. You can charge each battery individually periodically to avoid imbalance. When charging LiFePO4 batteries in series, it is best to use a multi-bank charger that charges each battery individually to ensure the cells remain balanced. You can also use a 24V battery LiFePO4 charger or a 48V battery LiFePO4 charger if you’d like to charge your system as a whole.

CHARGING LIFEPO4 WITH AN INVERTER/CHARGER AND/OR CHARGE CONTROLLER

Below are the key, typical charger inputs when using an inverter/charger or charge controller for charging LiFePO4 batteries. Many inverter/ chargers require additional parameters, please contact Brava technical support for assistance. LiFePO4 batteries do not require equalizing. LiFePO4 batteries do not require temperature compensation for voltage when charging at hot or cold temperatures.

PARAMETER	12V SYSTEM	24V SYSTEM	36V SYSTEM	48V SYSTEM
Bulk Voltage	14V – 14.6V	28V – 29.2V	42V – 43.8V	56V – 58.4V
Absorption Voltage	14V – 14.6V	28V – 29.2V	42V – 43.8V	56V – 58.4V
Absorption Time	0- 6 min	0- 6 min	0- 6 min	0- 6 min
Float Voltage	13.8V ± 0.2V	27.6V ± 0.2V	41.4V ± 0.2V	55.2V ± 0.2V
Low Voltage Cutoff	11V	22V	33V	44V
High Voltage Cutoff	14.6	29.2V	43.8V	58.4V

CHARGING LIFEPO4 WITH ALTERNATOR AND DC TO DC CHARGERS

Depending on the quality of the alternator, it may work fine to charge LiFePO4 batteries without modifications. However, low-quality alternators with poor voltage regulation can cause the BMS to disconnect LiFePO4 batteries. If the BMS disconnects the batteries the alternator may be damaged. To protect your LiFePO4 battery and alternator, please be sure to use a compatible high-quality alternator or install a voltage regulator. You can also use a DC to DC charger to safely and effectively charge your batteries including house banks. Installing a DC to DC charger is the recommended option when it comes to charging lithium with an alternator.

FUEL GAUGES FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES

If you are using a voltage-based fuel gauge that is designed for lead-acid batteries, it will not accurately measure the state of charge (SOC) of LiFePO4 batteries. Please replace your fuel gauge with one that measures current rather than voltage to accurately measure the state of charge of lithium iron phosphate batteries.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

CAN I CHARGE LITHIUM WITH SOLAR PANELS?

Yes, you can charge Brava lithium batteries with solar panels. In fact, you can charge them with any type of charging equipment, as long as the charging voltage is within 14V to 14.6V for our 12V LiFePO4 batteries.

Are lithium and LiFePO4 battery chargers the same

Yes they are. lithium-ion and LiFePO4 battery charger are one and the same, because LiFePO4 is a kind of lithium-ion batteries; the only difference is with the voltages. Only li-ion chargers with a voltage equal to that of the LiFePO4 can be considered identical. For example, a charger with a voltage range between 10v and 14.6v is required to completely charge a 12V LiFePO4 battery.

What voltage should I charge my LiFePO4 battery

You do not want to charge your LiFePO4 at a voltage higher or lower than the desired. It is even worse when you do it at a higher voltage than needed. They involve overheating of your battery, aging prematurely and an excessive current flow that might cause a short circuit to your electrical equipment you have powered.

Therefore, the LiFePO4 battery requires exactly the right charging voltage, as described below. LiFePO4 batteries have 12 voltage. Regardless of how you are charging it, the charging voltage range must range between 10-14.6 volts.

How long does it take to charge a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery

While using the dedicated LiFePO4 battery charger, the 100Ah, 12v lithium ion battery will take a maximum of 5 hours if it was fully discharged. At 14.6V, that is a clear indication that your battery has fully charged. This can go up to 16.8v for nmc lithium ion batteries. And at 10V, the battery will have fully discharged.

What is the best way to use a LiFePO4 battery charger

Everyone is so much absorbed in the life of their batteries that they forget to care for the chargers. The LiFePO4 battery charger needs equal devotion as that received by the battery. The better you care for it, the longer it is going to serve you. And one way to care for the LiFePO4 Lithium- ion battery charger is how you use it.

It is simple, only have it plugged in while charging the battery, keep it cool and dry, use a surge protector and tuck it away whenever it is not in use, and be sure to use original accessories.

Could solar panel be used instead of LiFePO4 battery charger

If you have access to solar energy, you may want to charge your LiFePO4 battery charger from the solar panel. Do you have the go? Yes, it is tolerable. Instead of the LiFePO4 lithium – ion charger, the solar can too be used to charge the LiFePO4 battery. However, you will need a solar charge controller.

Which is meant for the main purpose is to control the electric energy converted by solar energy within a reasonable voltage and current range to charge the battery to ensure that the battery will not be damaged by overcurrent.

How long will a 200w solar panel take to charge a 100ah battery

At first, a solar charge controller must be in place to safeguard the battery. But how long are you going to wait for the battery to hit the 100% mark?

A 200W solar cell can generate 200 watts of electricity per hour in full sunlight. If the 100Ah battery we use is 12V, then the energy of the battery is 1200 watts, so 6 hours will take for a 200w solar panel to charge a 12v 100Ah battery (200 x 6 = 1200).

What is the difference between a 10 amp and a 5 amp battery charger

Amperage, abbreviated as amp is the gear that determines how fast a charger charges your device. The higher the amp, the faster the charging and vice versa, a 10 amp battery charger although considered a slow one compared to the 20amp, it is way faster than the 5 amp battery charger.

So, basically, the difference between the 10amp and the 5 amp is with the charging time, however, when we choose a battery charger, we cannot arbitrarily choose a high amp battery charger for the charging speed, and we must also pay attention to whether it matches the specifications of the battery.

What is the difference between a LiFePO4 battery charger and a battery maintainer

Most people confuse a battery charger for a battery maintainer. But did you know that these two are totally different parts? Your equipment has a maintainer and a charger. The LiFePO4 battery charger will only charge your electrical equipment battery until full after which you will have it disconnected.

In other words, a battery maintainer doesn’t call for disconnection; it is automatic and is meant to only charge your battery when there is a decline in power. Also, if your car stays unmoved for a while, the electric systems are likely to drain it off. You will then have some hard time putting it to ignition. The presence of a battery maintainer which is less scrutinized ensures that, that doesn’t happen.

CAN I CHARGE LITHIUM WITH AN ALTERNATOR?

Yes, but it is recommended to invest in a DC to DC charger to protect your LiFePO4 battery and alternator.

CAN I CHARGE LITHIUM WITH A LEAD-ACID CHARGER?

Most lead-acid battery chargers can be used with LiFePO4 batteries as long as they are within the appropriate voltage guidelines. AGM and Gel algorithms typically fall within the LiFePO4 voltage requirements. The voltage for wet cell or flooded battery charging algorithms are often higher than LiFePO4 requirements, which will result in the BMS disconnecting the battery at the end of the charge cycle, and may result in the charger displaying an error code. If this happens, it is generally good practice to replace your charger. Since the BMS protects the battery, using lead-acid chargers will not damage the battery.

HOW TO CHARGE A LIFEPO4 BATTERY IN THE COLD?

LiFePO4 batteries can safely charge between 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F). If your application requires you to recharge in freezing temperatures, Brava Low Temperature series (LT) can be recharged between -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F). The LT series has a built-in heating system featuring proprietary technology that draws power from the charger itself. No additional components are required. The entire process of heating and charging is completely seamless. The heating system automatically activates once charging below 0°C is attempted, and it automatically deactivates when it’s no longer needed. The heating system does not take power from the battery, but rather from the charger, ensuring the battery is not discharging itself. Simply plug the battery into the lithium charger and the internal heating and monitoring systems take care of the rest.

DO I NEED A SPECIAL CHARGER FOR LITHIUM?

The short answer is no. In order to fully charge a 12V LiFePO4 battery, a charger with a voltage of 14V to 14.6V is required. Most AGM battery chargers are within that range and they would be compatible with Brava lithium batteries. If you have a charger with a lower voltage, it may still charge the battery, but it won’t charge it to 100%. A charger with a higher voltage would not charge the battery and the BMS would enter protection mode due to its high voltage disconnect feature. Although many AGM battery chargers are compatible with LiFePO4, wet cell or flooded battery chargers are not compatible as they typically charge at a higher voltage.

CAN I FULLY DISCHARGE A LITHIUM BATTERY?

Brava LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged up to 100% of their capacity. However, to optimize the performance of your LiFePO4 battery, to achieve a higher cycle life, and to avoid the BMS disconnecting the battery, we recommend limiting the discharge to 80%. If the BMS disconnects the battery due to low voltage, at 100% depth of discharge, remove the load and recharge using a LiFePO4 charger to reactivate the BMS.

CAN LITHIUM DISCHARGE IN COLD TEMPERATURES?

LiFePO4 batteries can safely discharge between -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C). All Brava LiFePO4 batteries come with a built-in BMS that protects the battery from low-temperatures and high-temperatures. If the BMS disconnects due to cold or high temperature, wait until the temperature is more suitable and the BMS will reconnect automatically.

HOW DO I STORE LITHIUM BATTERIES?

It is recommended to store LiFePO4 batteries at about 50% state of charge (SOC). If the batteries are stored for long periods of time, cycle the batteries at least every 6 months. Do not store batteries that are discharged. They do not require a trickle charger. · Recommended storage temperature: -5 to +35°C (23 to 95 °F) · Storage up to 1 month: -20 to +60°C (4 to 140 °F) · Storage up to 3 months: -10 to +35°C (14 to 95 °F) · Extended storage time: +15 to +35°C (59 to 95 °F) It is highly recommended to store lithium batteries indoors during the offseason.

CAN I CONNECT 12V LITHIUM IN SERIES?

Yes, you can connect up to four 12V batteries of the same model in series to obtain a higher voltage. Do not connect lithium batteries in both parallel and series simultaneously. Please note that the 24V lithium batteries are designed for 24V applications and do not support series connections. Likewise with the 36V and 48V lithium batteries. When charging LiFePO4 batteries in series, it’s recommended to use a multi-bank battery charger that can charge each battery individually. If that’s not an option, you can also use a 24V battery LiFePO4 charger or a 48V battery LiFePO4 charger if you’d like to charge your system as a whole. Brava lithium batteries support charging in series.

CAN I CONNECT 12V LITHIUM IN PARALLEL?

Yes, you can connect up to four 12V batteries of the same model in parallel to obtain a higher capacity. Do not connect lithium batteries in both parallel and series simultaneously. Brava 24V and 36V lithium batteries also support up to 4 units in parallel. Brava 48V LiFePO4 batteries support up to 14 units in parallel as they are designed for larger projects. Brava lithium batteries support charging in parallel.

CAN I INSTALL A LITHIUM BATTERY ON ITS SIDE?

Yes, Brava LiFePO4 batteries can be installed upright or on their sides. Please fasten the battery if installed in a moving vehicle, such as in an RV or a boat. Please also avoid placing anything over the battery, and it’s recommended to cover the terminals with a plastic cap to prevent an external short circuit.

ARE LIFEPO4 BATTERIES SAFE?

Yes, LiFePO4 is a safe chemistry and the most stable lithium-type battery on the market. Brava lithium is UL 1642 certified, which means they have been tested for short-circuit, abnormal charging, crush, impact, shock, vibration, heating, temperature cycling and pressure. All Brava LiFePO4 batteries come with an internal Battery Management System. The BMS protects against

Under-Voltage – during discharge
Over-Voltage – during charge or regen conditions
Over-Current – during discharge
Low-Temperature – during charge and discharge
High-temperature – during charge and discharge
Short-Circuit Protection – protects battery cells from damage
Single Cell Equalization and balancing

If you already have a lead-acid or a LiFePO4 charger and you want to make sure it’s compatible, chat with one of our battery experts. We can check your charger’s user manual and confirm the voltage parameters.