Alternator and Lithium Batteries

[Kaputnick]

What is used to protect the alternator from burning up trying to keep up with lithium house batteries? What did you use?
Thanx!

[jcussen]

I used a dc-dc charger.
https://shop.pkys.com/Orion-TR-Smart...oqn6AaAhOWEALw

[HarryStone]

I have a magnum smart battery combiner. Limits current to the lithium batteries to 15 amps.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I have a magnum smart battery combiner. Limits current to the lithium batteries to 15 amps.

Will it supply the 14.2-14.6 volts that most lithium batteries require for 100% SOC?

[ttavasc]

As jcussen noted a DC-DC charger works well. I've got the Orion-TR Smart 12/12-30 paired with my Trojan T-125 GC2's and it does a great job. There is a factory-defined LiFePO4 charge profile so no issue handling those with it.

Another option is a Lithium Battery Isolation Manager like this:

LI-BIM 225

[HarryStone]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Will it supply the 14.2-14.6 volts that most lithium batteries require for 100% SOC?

It supplies the alternator voltage to the lithium batteries. It was recommended by M and M Electronics.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

It supplies the alternator voltage to the lithium batteries. It was recommended by M and M Electronics.

Unfortunately as the start batteries charge up, the alternator voltage will fall because it senses a full battery. Normally about 13.2 to 13.6. This is not high enough to fully charge the lithium batteries. A good dc-dc charger will take that 13.2 to 13.6 and convert it to the 14+ volts necessary to charge them to 100% SOC. But your method will work if you have enough solar to top the charge up to the lithium requirements.

[HarryStone]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Unfortunately as the start batteries charge up, the alternator voltage will fall because it senses a full battery. Normally about 13.2 to 13.6. This is not high enough to fully charge the lithium batteries. A good dc-dc charger will take that 13.2 to 13.6 and convert it to the 14+ volts necessary to charge them to 100% SOC. But your method will work if you have enough solar to top the charge up to the lithium requirements.

I'll look into that. We don't have solar. But, we usually run the gen set on the road to run the AC.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I'll look into that. We don't have solar. But, we usually run the gen set on the road to run the AC.

If your converter or inverter is set up for lithium charging, you should be fine in getting your cells to 100% SOC