Hi, a query on how something is supposed to work. New van for us (2015 model) and still working out a few things. When I have the van plugged into 240v, then I assumed the charger would charge my batteries ( I have 2 x 100ah Lithiums) regardless of whether my solar panels are also charging them, or am I wrong ? Or, does it prioritise solar charging over AC input ? Ive been away for 5 days, van is at home plugged into 240 and also solar panels are in the sun, everything is running, but my batteries are sitting at 20% charge and float light is on the AC charger. I thought the batteries would be at 100% being plugged into AC ? The Lithiums are new, AC charger set to Lithium modethis is the charger https://trailercamperaustralia.com.au/voltech-40a-240v-ac-12v-battery-charger-bc-1240p-1ap-anderson-plug.html
Any ideas what the go is ? Cheers
TimTim said
09:25 PM Nov 25, 2021
RobDor wrote:
Hi, a query on how something is supposed to work. New van for us (2015 model) and still working out a few things. When I have the van plugged into 240v, then I assumed the charger would charge my batteries ( I have 2 x 100ah Lithiums) regardless of whether my solar panels are also charging them, or am I wrong ? Or, does it prioritise solar charging over AC input ? Ive been away for 5 days, van is at home plugged into 240 and also solar panels are in the sun, everything is running, but my batteries are sitting at 20% charge and float light is on the AC charger. I thought the batteries would be at 100% being plugged into AC ? The Lithiums are new, AC charger set to Lithium modethis is the charger https://trailercamperaustralia.com.au/voltech-40a-240v-ac-12v-battery-charger-bc-1240p-1ap-anderson-plug.html
There is a copy of your manual just in case you don't have one. Do you have a multimeter to test anything.
RobDor said
09:36 PM Nov 25, 2021
TimTim wrote:
RobDor wrote:
Hi, a query on how something is supposed to work. New van for us (2015 model) and still working out a few things. When I have the van plugged into 240v, then I assumed the charger would charge my batteries ( I have 2 x 100ah Lithiums) regardless of whether my solar panels are also charging them, or am I wrong ? Or, does it prioritise solar charging over AC input ? Ive been away for 5 days, van is at home plugged into 240 and also solar panels are in the sun, everything is running, but my batteries are sitting at 20% charge and float light is on the AC charger. I thought the batteries would be at 100% being plugged into AC ? The Lithiums are new, AC charger set to Lithium modethis is the charger https://trailercamperaustralia.com.au/voltech-40a-240v-ac-12v-battery-charger-bc-1240p-1ap-anderson-plug.html
There is a copy of your manual just in case you don't have one. Do you have a multimeter to test anything.
Ok thanks, yep I do have a multimeter.
Bobdown said
09:59 PM Nov 25, 2021
Might be a dumb question Rob, but is it switched on? It might be on float charge from the solar input.
I say this because my charger was under the seat and items I stored in there pushed against the on/off switch without me knowing, charging only on solar.
Cheers Bob
RobDor said
06:28 AM Nov 26, 2021
Bobdown wrote:
Might be a dumb question Rob, but is it switched on? It might be on float charge from the solar input.
I say this because my charger was under the seat and items I stored in there pushed against the on/off switch without me knowing, charging only on solar.
Cheers Bob
Yeah its on. But, going by your question, sounds like the solar is wired through it ? Might have to take it down and see how these are setup, I wasnt aware there was a solar input. Thanks
RobDor said
08:22 AM Nov 26, 2021
This morning had a look before the sun came up and the charger is in float mode and just dribbling about 2amps to the batteries, even though batteries are only about 15% charged. Seems like its stuck in float mode. I powered off the charger, unplugged batteries (basically reset it all), plugged back in and powered up, charger cycled through and is now in absorption mode and pumping about 30amps to the batteries. For some reason it was stuck in float mode and not switching to the correct mode to charge properly. Will have to see if it keeps doing it.! It may be faulty, or it may need a different battery type selection?? Who knows. Thanks for your input.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:30 AM Nov 26, 2021
Come across a few people lately with incorrect type chargers for batteries!! Some times the so called experts get it wrong !!! A good high amperage charger helps big time .
RobDor said
11:06 AM Nov 26, 2021
Just checked, batteries at around 35%, but already in float mode, so something not right..
Aus-Kiwi said
02:03 PM Nov 26, 2021
What setting is the regulator set at ? Seems way lower voltage setting ? If there is one ?
RobDor said
05:19 PM Nov 26, 2021
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
What setting is the regulator set at ? Seems way lower voltage setting ? If there is one ?
From what I can see, you select battery type and that sets voltage levels etc. As per the manual, which is in a link in a reply above.
TimTim said
12:14 PM Nov 27, 2021
RobDor wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
What setting is the regulator set at ? Seems way lower voltage setting ? If there is one ?
From what I can see, you select battery type and that sets voltage levels etc. As per the manual, which is in a link in a reply above.
Hi Rob,
Have you tried disconnecting the solar panels and the battery and then reconnecting them up again. Battery first and then solar panels or even having the solar panels disconnected and just try it in the charger.
Tim
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 27th of November 2021 12:18:36 PM
kgarnett said
02:39 PM Nov 27, 2021
How are you determining the SOC of the battery ?
If you are using a battery monitor, is it synchronised to read 100% when the battery is fully charged?
-- Edited by kgarnett on Saturday 27th of November 2021 02:44:14 PM
RobDor said
07:36 PM Nov 27, 2021
TimTim wrote:
RobDor wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
What setting is the regulator set at ? Seems way lower voltage setting ? If there is one ?
From what I can see, you select battery type and that sets voltage levels etc. As per the manual, which is in a link in a reply above.
Hi Rob,
Have you tried disconnecting the solar panels and the battery and then reconnecting them up again. Battery first and then solar panels or even having the solar panels disconnected and just try it in the charger.
Tim
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 27th of November 2021 12:18:36 PM
No, but Ill give that a go tomorrow.
RobDor said
10:52 PM Nov 27, 2021
kgarnett wrote:
How are you determining the SOC of the battery ?
If you are using a battery monitor, is it synchronised to read 100% when the battery is fully charged?
-- Edited by kgarnett on Saturday 27th of November 2021 02:44:14 PM
Batteries have smart BMS with Bluetooth that give SOC , voltage and charge/discharge current etc.
TimTim said
07:59 AM Nov 28, 2021
RobDor wrote:
kgarnett wrote:
How are you determining the SOC of the battery ?
If you are using a battery monitor, is it synchronised to read 100% when the battery is fully charged?
-- Edited by kgarnett on Saturday 27th of November 2021 02:44:14 PM
Batteries have smart BMS with Bluetooth that give SOC , voltage and charge/discharge current etc.
Rob,
Also try disconnecting the batteries and trying the system with only one battery connected at a time just in case it is a BMS that is causing the issue.
Tim
kgarnett said
08:40 AM Nov 28, 2021
Hi Rob, What brand of Li batteries are you using.
What is the battery open circuit terminal voltage as measured with a multimeter when the batteries are at say 20% or 35% SOC.
Terminal voltage is not a good indicator of SOC for LiFePO4 batteries because of the relatively flat voltage discharge curve, but can give some indication (eg 12.9V ~ 20% , 13.2V ~ 70%)
Do both batteries indicate the same or similar SOC by their respective BMS.
Are the individual cell voltages balanced.
The reason I ask is that I have experienced false SOC readings from the inbuilt Bluetooth BMS on my batteries. The BMS has indicated a very low SOC yet the terminal voltage and my Victron BMV 712 battery monitor indicated a high SOC which was confirmed by a load test at C20
As an aside it is not generally recommended to leave LiFePO4 batteries fully charged in storage nor on trickle charge. It is often recommended to fully charge the batteries, discharge to around 60-70% then totally isolate the batteries. Repeat every few months.
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 08:43:36 AM
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 11:11:01 PM
RobDor said
09:34 AM Nov 29, 2021
TimTim wrote:
RobDor wrote:
kgarnett wrote:
How are you determining the SOC of the battery ?
If you are using a battery monitor, is it synchronised to read 100% when the battery is fully charged?
-- Edited by kgarnett on Saturday 27th of November 2021 02:44:14 PM
Batteries have smart BMS with Bluetooth that give SOC , voltage and charge/discharge current etc.
Rob,
Also try disconnecting the batteries and trying the system with only one battery connected at a time just in case it is a BMS that is causing the issue.
Tim
yep, ok can check that. Batteries are at 100%, but not sure why they entered 'float' mode when low state of charge.
RobDor said
09:42 AM Nov 29, 2021
kgarnett wrote:
Hi Rob, What brand of Li batteries are you using.
What is the battery open circuit terminal voltage as measured with a multimeter when the batteries are at say 20% or 35% SOC.
Terminal voltage is not a good indicator of SOC for LiFePO4 batteries because of the relatively flat voltage discharge curve, but can give some indication (eg 12.9V ~ 20% , 13.2V ~ 70%)
Do both batteries indicate the same or similar SOC by their respective BMS.
Are the individual cell voltages balanced.
The reason I ask is that I have experienced false SOC readings from the inbuilt Bluetooth BMS on my batteries. The BMS has indicated a very low SOC yet the terminal voltage and my Victron BMV 712 battery monitor indicated a high SOC which was confirmed by a load test at C20
As an aside it is not generally recommended to leave LiFePO4 batteries fully charged in storage nor on trickle charge. It is often recommended to fully charge the batteries, discharge to around 60-70% then totally isolate the batteries. Repeat every few months.
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 08:43:36 AM
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 11:11:01 PM
ok thanks for the info. I haven't checked with multimeter, the BMS gives me voltage and SOC etc. both similar levels and voltages seem to be relative to SOC, i will check with meter see if it's accurate. Good to know about the cycling every few months. Might do that schedule every 3 or 4 months for battery health.
peatop said
12:51 AM Dec 2, 2021
Hi Rob, it is very important when using a multi chemical battery charger that you make sure that you select and it is actually using the lithium profile as using any of the other profiles will damage you lithium batteries, the site you quoted says you can change the profiles, although this is not advisable unless you know what your doing, but if it is not doing what it should you may need to hook it up to a pc and see whats going on, which is not a bad thing either, once your batteries reach about 13.6V then they should start to balance this is best done on a float charge as this will give them time to balance before reaching your selected full SOC.
Hylife said
08:23 PM Dec 20, 2021
Those Bluetooth systems aren't worth a piece of sh!t for reliable monitoring.
They simply measure in Versus out and don't account for a whole raft of other things that may draw power.
They need to be reset to Zero (100%) regularly (via the app) when you KNOW the LiFePO4 batts have just been fully charged to 14.6V.
Hi, a query on how something is supposed to work. New van for us (2015 model) and still working out a few things. When I have the van plugged into 240v, then I assumed the charger would charge my batteries ( I have 2 x 100ah Lithiums) regardless of whether my solar panels are also charging them, or am I wrong ? Or, does it prioritise solar charging over AC input ? Ive been away for 5 days, van is at home plugged into 240 and also solar panels are in the sun, everything is running, but my batteries are sitting at 20% charge and float light is on the AC charger. I thought the batteries would be at 100% being plugged into AC ? The Lithiums are new, AC charger set to Lithium modethis is the charger https://trailercamperaustralia.com.au/voltech-40a-240v-ac-12v-battery-charger-bc-1240p-1ap-anderson-plug.html
Any ideas what the go is ? Cheers
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1053443/Voltech-Bc-1240p-1ap.html?page=6#manual
There is a copy of your manual just in case you don't have one. Do you have a multimeter to test anything.
Ok thanks, yep I do have a multimeter.
Might be a dumb question Rob, but is it switched on? It might be on float charge from the solar input.
I say this because my charger was under the seat and items I stored in there pushed against the on/off switch without me knowing, charging only on solar.
Cheers Bob
Yeah its on. But, going by your question, sounds like the solar is wired through it ? Might have to take it down and see how these are setup, I wasnt aware there was a solar input. Thanks
From what I can see, you select battery type and that sets voltage levels etc. As per the manual, which is in a link in a reply above.
Hi Rob,
Have you tried disconnecting the solar panels and the battery and then reconnecting them up again. Battery first and then solar panels or even having the solar panels disconnected and just try it in the charger.
Tim
-- Edited by TimTim on Saturday 27th of November 2021 12:18:36 PM
How are you determining the SOC of the battery ?
If you are using a battery monitor, is it synchronised to read 100% when the battery is fully charged?
-- Edited by kgarnett on Saturday 27th of November 2021 02:44:14 PM
No, but Ill give that a go tomorrow.
Batteries have smart BMS with Bluetooth that give SOC , voltage and charge/discharge current etc.
Rob,
Also try disconnecting the batteries and trying the system with only one battery connected at a time just in case it is a BMS that is causing the issue.
Tim
Hi Rob,
What brand of Li batteries are you using.
What is the battery open circuit terminal voltage as measured with a multimeter when the batteries are at say 20% or 35% SOC.
Terminal voltage is not a good indicator of SOC for LiFePO4 batteries because of the relatively flat voltage discharge curve, but can give some indication (eg 12.9V ~ 20% , 13.2V ~ 70%)
Do both batteries indicate the same or similar SOC by their respective BMS.
Are the individual cell voltages balanced.
The reason I ask is that I have experienced false SOC readings from the inbuilt Bluetooth BMS on my batteries. The BMS has indicated a very low SOC yet the terminal voltage and my Victron BMV 712 battery monitor indicated a high SOC which was confirmed by a load test at C20
As an aside it is not generally recommended to leave LiFePO4 batteries fully charged in storage nor on trickle charge. It is often recommended to fully charge the batteries, discharge to around 60-70% then totally isolate the batteries. Repeat every few months.
Ken
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 08:43:36 AM
-- Edited by kgarnett on Sunday 28th of November 2021 11:11:01 PM
yep, ok can check that. Batteries are at 100%, but not sure why they entered 'float' mode when low state of charge.
ok thanks for the info. I haven't checked with multimeter, the BMS gives me voltage and SOC etc. both similar levels and voltages seem to be relative to SOC, i will check with meter see if it's accurate. Good to know about the cycling every few months. Might do that schedule every 3 or 4 months for battery health.
Hi Rob, it is very important when using a multi chemical battery charger that you make sure that you select and it is actually using the lithium profile as using any of the other profiles will damage you lithium batteries, the site you quoted says you can change the profiles, although this is not advisable unless you know what your doing, but if it is not doing what it should you may need to hook it up to a pc and see whats going on, which is not a bad thing either, once your batteries reach about 13.6V then they should start to balance this is best done on a float charge as this will give them time to balance before reaching your selected full SOC.
They simply measure in Versus out and don't account for a whole raft of other things that may draw power.
They need to be reset to Zero (100%) regularly (via the app) when you KNOW the LiFePO4 batts have just been fully charged to 14.6V.