Lithium RV Battery Selection and Charging
You are likely already aware of the many sizes and configurations of recreational vehicles that are now on the market whether you are an RV owner or want to become one in the near future. You might not be aware of the power needs for each of the many sizes or the significance of the internal battery charging system. In this article, we will share you RV lifepo4 battery selection and charging.
Why should an RV use a lithium battery?
Maxworld Power Batteries made of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) have all the components necessary to support life while traveling. With batteries made to function under the most difficult circumstances, go farther and more effectively without sacrificing dependability or performance.
Greater power available
No of the rate of discharge, lithium batteries allow you to use 100% of their capacity. No of the rate of discharge, lithium batteries allow you to use 100% of their capacity. If the lead-acid battery’s discharge rate is very high, such as 0.8C, its capacity will only be 60% of its rated capacity. As a result, you can use all of your electrical devices knowing that your lithium battery has enough capacity reserves.
Highly secure chemical
The safest lithium chemistry currently available is used in Maxworld Power lithium batteries, and it is called lifep04. Our lithium RV batteries use a cutting-edge Protection Circuit Module (PCM) to increase safety and guard against overcharging, overdischarging, overheating, and short circuiting situations.
Longer lasting
Because lithium batteries cost less per cycle than lead acid batteries and have a 10 times longer cycle life than lead acid batteries, Maxworld Power RV Lithium Deep Cycle Batteries, you should replace lithium batteries for your recreational vehicle less frequently than lead acid batteries.
Greater Lithium Charging Speed
Lead acid batteries may charge up to four times more quickly than lithium batteries. Longer battery life is a result of faster charging. Another advantage is that solar panels can be fitted into your recreational vehicle and have quick and efficient energy storage.
Much lighter
Compared to lead-acid batteries of equal capacity, the weight is 50–70% lighter. This can reduce the weight of bigger RVs by 100–200 lbs.
Versatile installation
Lithium batteries from Maxworld Power can be positioned horizontally or vertically for flexible installation.
Direct substitution for lead acid
In addition to being a direct replacement for lead acid batteries, Maxworld Power lithium batteries are also an upgrade option.
Minimal Self-Discharge
Lithium batteries’ low self-discharge rates allow for worry-free storage, so even for seasonal use, you can be confident the battery won’t fail you. We advise examining the OCY of all lithium batteries every six months as a side remark.
Maintenance-free
Simply connect the battery, then leave! Without adding water, it requires no care at all.
RV Lithium Battery Charging
RY employs a wide range of sources and charging techniques in addition to a wide range of recreational vehicles. When we discuss a charging source, we’re referring to the method used to produce the electricity. Examples of typical sources are:
- Shore Power: RV hooked up to an electrical outlet
- Generator – The RV is outfitted with a generator to supply power and charge the batteries.
- Solar power: The RV has a solar panel system that produces electricity and replenishes the batteries.
- Alternator – Powers the motor while the RV is operating and charges the battery.
The method focuses on controlling voltage and current when charging batteries.
- the small constant current trickle charging technique
- Constant-voltage floats charge with current limitation
- A multi-stage charging system including float charging, constant voltage absorption charging, and constant current big capacity charging to maintain the battery’s state of charge (SoC) at 100 percent.
The RV may have several battery charging sources
The RV may have several battery charging sources, however there is typically just one way to charge an RV. The speed at which the battery is charged is the key distinction between both systems; the multi-stage charging system is intended to charge the battery as soon as possible.
Lithium batteries and sealed lead-acid batteries have slightly differing charging current and voltage settings. Lithium batteries are charged at 1/5 to 100% of their rated capacity, which results in far shorter charging times than sealed lead-acid batteries, which are normally charged at 1/10 to 1/3 of their rated capacity. The voltage parameters for sinking or floating charges are so close together when transitioning from SLA to Lithium that they can be disregarded.
CHARGER TYPES TO USE
Regarding the charging profiles of SLA and Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, there is a lot of misleading information available online. While there may be variations in RV charging techniques, this website tries to provide readers with generic information. As an aside, the voltage is remarkably similar to that of a SLA battery, with the lithium voltage being just a little bit higher at 12.8V (SLA batteries are 12V). This is among the factors that led Maxworld Power to select lithium iron phosphate over different types of lithium-ion chemistries. Because the voltages are similar, the batteries will also have similar charging behaviors.
As you can see in the chart below, lead acid and lithium batteries have similar charging curves and need about the same voltages. This means that using a SLA charger won’t cause any issues with the battery’s ability to be charged, but you’ll give up the benefit of lithium’s ability to be charged more quickly than other batteries.
De-sulfation mode
We advise updating the charging system to a lithium-specific charger if you really want to benefit from lithium chemistry. However, other than speed, utilizing the SLA profile or charger won’t have a significant influence on the lithium iron phosphate battery because the charging voltage for SLA is essentially the same as the charging voltage for lithium.
Lithium batteries really prefer not to be kept at 100% state of charge (SOC), in contrast to SLA batteries, which must be maintained on a float charge. Because the lithium battery will cease receiving a charge when its SOC reaches 100%, the float charging from the SLA charger won’t work if the circuit board lacks protection. As a result, the battery shouldn’t degrade. Additionally, since doing so will harm the lithium battery, it is not advisable to use a charger with a de-sulfation mode.
Updating the charging system
We advise updating the charging system to a lithium-specific charger if you really want to benefit from lithium chemistry. However, other than speed, utilizing the SLA profile or charger won’t have a significant influence on the lithium iron phosphate battery because the charging voltage for SLA is essentially the same as the charging voltage for lithium.
What’s more, lithium batteries really prefer not to be kept at 100% state of charge (SOC), in contrast to SLA batteries, which must be kept on a float charge. The lithium battery shouldn’t degrade because it will stop accepting a charge when the battery’s SOC is 100% because the float charging from the SLA charger won’t be accepted by the battery if it has a circuit board with protection. Furthermore, it is not suggested to use a charger with a de-sulfation mode because doing so will destroy the lithium battery.
A LITHIUM RV BATTERY BEING CHARGED IN SERIES OR PARALLEL
You might start to question how those lithium batteries will be charged once you’ve bought your RV and upgraded the batteries. How about using a SLA charging system and charging in both series and parallel?
Since you’ll want to charge your RV’s lithium batteries in series and parallel (batteries in series vs. parallel) the same way you’d charge any other battery string, the current charging system in your RV should be enough in the majority of circumstances. Although installing lithium chargers and inverters can improve charging efficiency, the normal charging setup is frequently adequate.
When installing batteries in series, it’s crucial to start them all at the same SOC, therefore start with 100% SOC on all of the batteries. Across the string, the voltage in series will fluctuate. If any battery exceeds the cell protection restrictions inside the BMS/PCM boards, the batteries’ charging will cease. The charging of all batteries will cease as a result of the other batteries’ protections being activated. Charge the battery string with a charger capable of handling the whole voltage of the series connection.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries
Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a charging voltage of 3.65 volts per cell, or 14.6 volts for a 12.8 volt battery. You must multiply the charging voltage by the number of batteries in the string to get the total charging voltage. For example, if the string is 51.2V, the charging voltage should be 58.4V.
At a rate of 1/32 C of their total rated capacity, the batteries can be charged in parallel. Four 10 Amp-Hour (AH) batteries may be charged in parallel using 14 Amps (A), as 14 is comparable to 1/3 of 40. While the other batteries continue to charge, the BMS/PCM board will remove one battery from the charging circuit if the charging system exceeds the battery’s protective threshold.
In order to increase the string’s battery life, we do advise periodically removing the batteries and charging them individually.
Final thoughts
All in all, it’s very clear that the lifepo4 batteries from Maxworld Power are excellent SLA battery replacements for RVs that may have come with standard SLA batteries. In addition to the advantages of converting to lithium, this is a terrific plug-and-play alternative because you do not have to change the charging mechanism. Visit this blog for additional details on lithium’s advantages vs SLA. Please get in touch with us if you have any more inquiries concerning RV batteries and their charging systems.
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