Hello - we’ve been off grid for 4.5 years. We are now upgrading from lead acid batteries to lithium (LiFePo4). We have the app in order to configure the bluetooth controller (MPPT 100-50) for the new lithium battery, and we have the adapter (Interface MK3-USB-C) to configure the inverter (Multiplus) to the new lithium battery.
When needed, we charge our batteries with a generator.
My question is: when we have the new lithium battery connected, is there a step in the process to configure the system for the generator now charging a lithium battery instead of lead acid? Is there a danger of overcharging a lithium battery with a generator?
Yes there will be some settings to change, more so to maximize the capacity and longevity of the lifepo4
Did your battery come with a spec sheet? That will give you a starting point for your charger settings.
Depending on your battery (unless it’s a home built unit) it will have an internal BMS that prevents catastrophic failure due to high voltage, high current, ect. Though you do want to make sure your charger is set appropriately
Both the Multiplus and MPPT have settings for Smart Lithium batteries as preset options. These are Victron’s settings for their own make of battery. Start with these and then adjust the voltages / absorption time // tail current based on your actual model.
When do we actually configure the inverter and controller for the lithium battery - when it’s at 100%, reaches absorption, reaches float? And then to confirm settings are correct, is it as simple as using a multimeter to confirm the system is indicating what voltage the battery is actually at/maximize capacity and longevity, as Dave said?
Our lithium battery is installed and connected to our system, but we’ve had a few hiccups that are suggesting maybe the settings are not quite accurate.
It does not matter what charge state the battery is at when you change the configuration. Change the values and then if you do not have other systems in the install to confirm the voltage then use a multimeter or if the batteries have Bluetooth enabled BMSs then check with this.