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  #1  
Old 04-29-2019, 09:22 PM
Flying Canuck Flying Canuck is online now
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 387
Default LiFePo charging voltage

I just installed a Shorai LFX18L1-BS12 battery to replace a dying PC680. The installation was easy enough, there were plenty of shims with the battery. The battery is coming up at 13.4V. I gave the plane a quick start, starting was definitely better. I got a voltage drop to about 9V while cranking (the PC680 was closing in on 6V). Once started, I switched on my alternator and was a little surprised to only see a slight voltage bump to 13.8V. This is 0.4V lower than the PC680 during charge. I cycled the alternator field and saw immediate drop and return to the same 13.8V.

My question is, should I be concerned about the lower charging voltage?
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  #2  
Old 04-30-2019, 02:43 AM
paul330 paul330 is offline
 
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Location: Mpumalanga, South Africa
Posts: 1,065
Default

My EarthX shows about 14.3v when charging ......
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  #3  
Old 04-30-2019, 06:38 AM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,514
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Canuck View Post
I just installed a Shorai LFX18L1-BS12 battery to replace a dying PC680. The installation was easy enough, there were plenty of shims with the battery. The battery is coming up at 13.4V. I gave the plane a quick start, starting was definitely better. I got a voltage drop to about 9V while cranking (the PC680 was closing in on 6V). Once started, I switched on my alternator and was a little surprised to only see a slight voltage bump to 13.8V. This is 0.4V lower than the PC680 during charge. I cycled the alternator field and saw immediate drop and return to the same 13.8V.

My question is, should I be concerned about the lower charging voltage?
It should charge just fine at 13.8 - perfect. The LiFePO batteries really don't like high charging voltage and will charge and deliver the power just fine where you are. I would be happy. It will draw a much higher current than a PbA battery if below full SOC.
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and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
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  #4  
Old 04-30-2019, 10:54 AM
jj13 jj13 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dunwoody GA (KLZU)
Posts: 59
Default I agree the lower voltage is better for the LiFePO batteries

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillL View Post
It should charge just fine at 13.8 - perfect. The LiFePO batteries really don't like high charging voltage and will charge and deliver the power just fine where you are. I would be happy. It will draw a much higher current than a PbA battery if below full SOC.
I also have the Shorai battery now for a little over 5 years. I adjusted my alternator voltage down to 13.8 volts to extend the life of the battery.
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