Everything You Should Know About Lithium Battery Chargers

 

So you have purchased a 36-volt lithium battery and are excited to use it. Maybe you have heard all the good things about lithium batteries, such as reliability, durability, and a longer lifespan. So it’s natural to think it will be better than standard batteries. It will provide twice the power as three 12V lead-acid or AGM batteries connected in a series, making it suitable for various applications, such as trolling motors, forklifts, and golf carts. It charges faster, too, so it reduces downtime and increases productivity.

 

But before proceeding, having the proper charger is a must. Whether you choosing a lithium battery from the get-go or are switching to it from a lead-acid battery. Here are the things you should know about getting a battery charger for your 36-volt lithium battery.

 

Important: use a charger for lithium batteries

 

Only use a charger meant for lithium batteries. Lead-acid chargers won’t be suitable as they can reduce the capacity, undercharge, and damage your battery over time. So, be sure to buy appropriate chargers for your lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. Besides, lead-acid batteries charge differently than lithium-ion-phosphate batteries in terms of the rate of charge, which is higher for LiFePO4.

 

Things to expect when you get your battery

 

The 36-volt lithium battery gets checked before it leaves the factory and rechecked before it is shipped to you. The lithium cells will balance the first several times you recharge the battery, because they are new. Keep using the battery to help its cells balance. Balancing the lithium cells lets you see less of a charge hours after it reads 100 percent, even if you haven’t used it yet. That is normal and should dissipate after many complete cycles of battery use.

 

Match the charger to your battery

 

The charger should match the battery you’re charging. It should deliver the correct voltage and current for the 36-volt lithium battery. For instance, you shouldn’t charge a 36V battery with a 24V charger.

 

 

 

5 Ways to Extend the Life of a Lithium-Ion Battery

 

A durable and reliable battery is a must for every camper, especially when you love to go off-grid with your RV. The lithium-ion RV battery is often the best choice to ensure worry-free camping and travel. It helps limit your generator’s runtime while minimizing charging time and providing other benefits like weight savings, less maintenance, and higher energy density. So, you will want to take measures to extend its lifespan to ensure it can keep up with your adventures and lifestyle. Here are five ways to do that:

 

Invest in the best lithium-ion battery

Firstly, choose the best lithium-ion technology for a good start. Consider lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4), which has excellent chemical and thermal stability. It can stay cool in high temperatures and is incombustible in case of mishandling during rapid discharges or discharges or when short-circuiting occurs.

 

Use appropriate technologies with it.

Pair your lithium-ion RV battery with an appropriate solar charger controller equipment or inverter/charger to maximize its lifespan and charge efficiency. You can also invest in a smart battery management system that can help you track the usage and health of the battery. It will alert you when the battery is running low on charge, in case you forgot to check, and it tracks the temperatures of the cells and other battery metrics to ensure safe operating and charging ranges.

 

Avoid overcharging

A lithium battery has a built-in battery management system (BMS) that protects it against overcharging, short-circuiting, and over-discharging. However, that doesn’t mean you should be careless and let it charge for too long, so you can prolong its lifespan and maximize its performance.

 

Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

A lithium-ion RV battery may be built tough and not need maintenance, such as a cooling-down period. However, it will still be vulnerable to damage if charged or stored at improper temperatures. Follow the manufacturer's specifications. In most cases, it’s safe to discharge between -40 degrees and 131 degrees Fahrenheit and charge between 32 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Ensure proper storage

When not in use, store the lithium-ion RV battery with around 40 to 50 percent state of charge and in a cool, dry place. Batteries can discharge when idle, so check every few months to ensure the state of charge does not go below 20 percent.