Charging lithium with solar output

[roger7]

My solar panel regulator does not have a lithium charging profile.
Can I use the solar out put to charge the vehicle battery and then charge the lithium liesure batteries through the B to B charger?
This would save on the cost of buying a new regulator and remote meter
Thanks for your help, hopefully

 

[funflair]

I would say no firstly because your B2B is for charging while you are driving and secondly you have some expensive LiFePO4 batteries the least they deserve is a proper solar charger.

 

[autorouter]

Probably won't work very well. The B2B is quite a high amps device compared to most solar controllers. In normal use (from the alternator/starter battery) it is always provided with enough power to give its full output if the target battery can accept it. I'm not sure how it would behave if it was expecting to charge a flat battery at full output, but the solar wasn't enough to do that. It might for example start switching on and off continuously, especially if it's in voltage threshold mode.

If it's in D+-triggered mode from a manual switch it might drain the starter battery, which is one scenario you'd like to avoid.

It's disappointing, so near yet so far. Votronic, I think, do a combined device that does mains, solar and B2B all in one, so it's doable in theory.

Is there any way you can tweak the existing controller so it charges the lithium battery but doesn't overcharge it? If it only gets to 90% that's in some ways a good thing.

 

[roger7]

I think the gel setting may be ok
Thanks for the reply

 

[Raul]

How much solar do you have?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotzsue]

Am reading all these lithium threads should really get joint membership for John, as he is quite keen to go down that line, we have limited space for a second battery, but then he will see all the things I say about him

 

[roger7]

I have a100 watt panel. I also asked Sterling tech dept for their opinion and they have advised not to try the B to B route
Looks like a new solar regulator.
Many thanks for your help

 

[Raul]

Hello roger
For a 100w panel a victron 75/10 smart charger would be perfect. It has lithium profile, not very expensive, good re sell value if you upgrade, you don’t need a display as it’s app compatible, you can make custom settings to whatever battery you want, and, it will charge any battery safely.