Can CBE 516 charge lithium batteries ?

[Babios]

Hello and Happy New Year!

I'm interested in knowing if it's possible to charge lithium batteries using the CBE 516.

Additionally, could you provide information on the approximate charging time for a 100ah battery when using the CBE 516?

Thank you!

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[cyberyacht]

I use it on occasions to charge my 2x120AH KS Energy lithiums. I have it on the "Gel" setting. Mostly it's switched off and the 3x100W solar panels that are left to do their stuff. Looking at the photo, I think yours might be an updated version compared to mine.

 

[Lenny HB]

You can charge them on the Gel setting they will never fully charge also if charging from a low level often you could burn out the charger. When charging lead batteries the charge rate gradually reduces as the battery takes a charge. With Lithium the charge rate is constant until the battery is charged so the charger will be running flat out, something it was never designed to do.
To charge a 100 ah Lithium from 10% upto 90% about 5 hours but probably a bit longer as the charge rate will drop off as the charger gets hotter.

 

[Babios]

I simply opened it and snapped a photo. It features the A B C switch

If I replace the charger for my van, which currently utilizes the SYSTEM PC110 panel, should I purchase another one from CPE that is compatible with the PC110 panel? https://www.cbe.it/en/pc110/

Due to the absence of camp grounds in my area, I opted to purchase an affordable 2200w generator with a 230V output to charge the batteries when solar can not in cloudy days in winter. Buying a Juicy Brucie EV Cable is not a straightforward option due to various reasons, such as distant charging stations, as the cost of travelling to EV charge stations just to recharge the batteries is higher than operating the generator."

 

[Pausim]

I have been using my CBE 516 with a 100Ah Li battery for over 4 years without a problem. Mine has a 2 position selector switch and I use the lower voltage lead acid setting rather than the gel one. I am deliberately under charging the Li battery, it is better for it. When on a hook up I only need the 13.5V maintenance charge which is sufficient for the ongoing demand. The lead acid setting drops back to the maintenance voltage after 90 minutes the gel setting runs at the higher voltage for 8 hours.

My 45A Votronic B2B makes sure the battery is full when I park up. If there is no EHU I have a full battery, which is when I need it. If there is an EHU the charger soon senses the higher voltage and starts its 90 minute countdown to switch to the maintenance charge. I have never found the need for the mains charger to charge the battery from a low level which might work it much harder.

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[GMLS]

I had the same charger in my m/h and when I changed to lithium I was advised that the fact it has a desulphation mode would not be ideal.Although cbe do a more lithium friendly model, I bypassed the cbe and fitted a Victron ip22 which was easy and I like the fact it has an app especially as I also intended fitting other Victron gear.

 

[autorouter]

You can charge them on the Gel setting they will never fully charge also if charging from a low level often you could burn out the charger. When charging lead batteries the charge rate gradually reduces as the battery takes a charge. With Lithium the charge rate is constant until the battery is charged so the charger will be running flat out, something it was never designed to do.
To charge a 100 ah Lithium from 10% upto 90% about 5 hours but probably a bit longer as the charge rate will drop off as the charger gets hotter.

In the bulk charging stage, the charger is indeed running 'flat out', at the full 16A. The charger is in 'constant current' mode, and electronically limits the amps output to that 16A value. It continues until the voltage rises to the absorption voltage, at which point a lead-acid battery would be about 80% full. So the charger is designed to run flat out for 80% of the charging.

I think the problem might arise if two or more batteries are connected in parallel, as is commonly done as an upgrade. The charger will take twice as long at full amps output to charge two batteries, so maybe it wasn't designed for that. I prefer to use a charger like a Victron or CTEK, that can keep pushing out the full amps output until the cows come home, and never miss a beat.

 

[BillandHelen]

We have the same charger fitted to our Wildax and when Roadpro fitted our 200amp of Lithium they confirmed what Pausim said, that it would do the job occasionally but was not ideal.
We went back a year later and got a ctek 25 installed, unit is about £260, which is ideal for the lithium and our cbe is now used to top up the cab battery when necessary.
Our view was after investing in the lithium why not get the best from it for a few extra pounds.

 

[Lenny HB]

In the bulk charging stage, the charger is indeed running 'flat out', at the full 16A. The charger is in 'constant current' mode, and electronically limits the amps output to that 16A value. It continues until the voltage rises to the absorption voltage, at which point a lead-acid battery would be about 80% full. So the charger is designed to run flat out for 80% of the charging.

I agree in theory but in practice very few chargers charge at the max rate for very long for example my EBL will start charging at 17 -18 amps but after about an hour it will drop to around 14 amps and as the battery voltage increases further it drops to 12 amps and it's supposed to be a constant current mode. With Lithium the internal resistance is so low the charger will maintain full output until the battery is charged putting a high load on the charger.

 

[the1andonly]

I also use the 516 on a GEL setting on a 100Ah LiFePO4. But it is used so rarely it doesnt worry me. I also have a simple 10A lithium charger that i would use if charging from a high discharge.

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