Victron Battery chargers

[NAGG]

Just a bit of an update - I initially installed 1 unit to see how it would go & was pretty pleased with the result / functionality . I ended up buying the second unit so each LiFePO4 battery has it's own 25amp charger . With the 2nd unit I decided to add a 30amp circuit breaker to isolate the battery from the charger eliminating any draw from the charger allowing for a permanent connection . I'll do the same with the other one next week . Victron.jpg
The twin Victrons should make life a bit easier when boat based camping - specially if charging will be reliant on running a generator … just plug them in & away you go . With 25amps going into each battery after a typical days spot-locking on the leccy - charging could fall to 1-2 hrs a day running the generator

The app is pretty basic but functional allowing me to see what state of charge the battery is at (Bulk , Absorb , Float) & how much charge is going into the battery. I haven't checked the range of the Bluetooth but it should be handy not to have to jump into the boat when I'm charging when boat based camping .

It's been an expensive exercise going down the path of Lithium batteries & the appropriate on board chargers (+ 2Kva Honda) ….. but think it will be well worth it for the weight saving , extended usable battery capacity (90%DOD) & the ability to rapidly charge at high amperage . Christmas will be the big test with a weeks camping on Whitsunday Island - I'll let you know how it goes

Chris

[09cad82]

Hi Nagg,
Looking at setting up two sentry 100ah LiFeP04s to run an 80lb minn kota myself. Have you considered the 24/12 charger from victron? Bit slower charge rate but only need the one charger and its IP67 also?

[NAGG]

Hi Nagg,
Looking at setting up two sentry 100ah LiFeP04s to run an 80lb minn kota myself. Have you considered the 24/12 charger from victron? Bit slower charge rate but only need the one charger and its IP67 also?

I looked at a lot of options - however 12amps is just to slow when you need to rely on a generator …… that could be 4 or 5 hours each charge. (I ran a 10amp 24 volt charger on my other boat …. & it was painfully slow when I was away camping.)
The other thing is that you are losing one of the great benefits of LiFePO4 batteries …… pump in a lot of amps quickly .


Finally I'm lead to believe that it is better to charge each battery individually rather than in series . Each battery will get the right charge at the right amperage .

Chris