Yes you will need a charger designed for Lithium. Setec won't get up to full charge; it also only trickle charges batteries at 0.8A.
@rdougy , you not only need to change your van charging, but also your solar controller needs to be able to control lithium charging properly, and also charging from tug will need a DC to DC charger too. Lithium batteries need 14.6 volts to charge properly If you exceed that at any time, unit will shut down. Charging must not have a "desulphation stage" nor "equalization" and a "Float" program is not required. Lithium batteries have their own internal BMS... See attached for more info.
Can I Charge A Lithium Battery With A Lead Acid Charger? | Offroad Living
Wondering if you can charge a LiFePO4 lithium battery with a lead acid charger? Here we discuss the use of lead acid, AGM, and normal chargers for lithium.
How To Charge Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries - Power Sonic
A complete guide on how to charge lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Learn about the charging of a lithium battery from Power Sonic
www.power-sonic.com
Last edited:
I do not believe that to be a true statement and suggest you download and carefully read the Setec manual. It will explain the conditions when the Setec will charge at only 0.8A. Note that each series of Setec is slightly different. There are three series; ST, ST-II and ST-III.
I think you have already seen my thread, but I changed from Gel to Lithium and details are in: https://expandasdownunder.com/threa...-58-3-ob-as-well-swapping-out-tps-1230.12356/
@TomKat121111 , that is why the Setec is only just acceptable to charge Gel batteries (should be able to charge up to 14.2 or 14.4V as listed on sides of Gel batteries), but it is a safe voltage. However not good enough to charge AGMs which require up to 14.7 volts for full charge. I don't use my Setec to charge up my AGM - I use multi stage "smart" charger which can reach that level. Setec okay for float charge and even has a Storage voltage of 13.25 which comes on daily for a period of time too. One good point!! However, the low voltage disconnect at only 10.0 volts is too low (IMHO) to save battery once it gets that low.
Attachments
My question is Why change to lithium ???
OFF grid capability?
Less weight ?
If you off grid camp most of the time its worth the outlay if not then no value or an expensive weight reduction......... principle charging shoudl be by solar via a compatable MPPT reg, spending big $$$ on a 240v charger which will have little use should be researched fully as lithium doesn't need all that much charging in storage and a portable panel would do the same job........... If you need one in caravan parks then you don't have an off grid capability the same in the requirement for a tug charger unless you only use portable panels of course............
I bring this up as I come across many who spend so much money on gear, (advice of sales reps,) to be off grid capable and in fact gets very little use as it isn't needed if the solar set up is done properly which isn't as expensive as some make out ......
The small print needs to be read for each lithium as they do not sing from the same song sheet, so unless the instructions apply to your model then ignore them..
OFF grid capability?
Less weight ?
If you off grid camp most of the time its worth the outlay if not then no value or an expensive weight reduction......... principle charging shoudl be by solar via a compatable MPPT reg, spending big $$$ on a 240v charger which will have little use should be researched fully as lithium doesn't need all that much charging in storage and a portable panel would do the same job........... If you need one in caravan parks then you don't have an off grid capability the same in the requirement for a tug charger unless you only use portable panels of course............
I bring this up as I come across many who spend so much money on gear, (advice of sales reps,) to be off grid capable and in fact gets very little use as it isn't needed if the solar set up is done properly which isn't as expensive as some make out ......
The small print needs to be read for each lithium as they do not sing from the same song sheet, so unless the instructions apply to your model then ignore them..