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As lithium-ion batteries are expensive we want to do everything we can to protect them – which means making sure that all charging equipment is properly programmed for the correct charging Voltages and regulated for current or Amps.

In this article I will discuss the best practices for charging the Lithionics lithium-ion batteries in RV’s, yachts and so on that will have a propulsion motor with some form of alternator on it. Please keep in mind that whenever the alternator is going to charge 2 or more different/ separate battery banks we must properly isolate the charging path for each battery bank so that they can all charge independently and optimally. Some of the devices I will discuss below will also isolate the battery banks, otherwise, we may want to use one of the industry leading, 99.9% efficient Perfect Switch dual battery isolator rectifier relays (found on our website at our Perfect Switch Battery Isolator Intro Page at: https://www.getlithium.com/29_Perfect_Switch_Battery_Isolators.html )

OPTION 1:
Directly/ Indirectly charging the Lithionics lithium-ion batteries from either an OEM alternator (factory issued) or lithium specific built alternator – such as those we offer by Nations Alternator (predominantly for land vehicles), Balmar, DC Power (predominantly for marine applications and generators) and others. More info on lithium compatible alternators we offer is located on our Alternator webpage at: https://www.getlithium.com/High_output_alternator_inverter_charger.html

The first thing we need to identify is what is the actual Amp output of the alternator and make sure that it does not exceed the maximum allowable charging Amps for your Lithionics Battery(s). Assuming that the alternator’s output will not exceed the maximum charging Amps for the battery, then the following will apply:

A. OEM Alternators:
These are factory equipped alternators and are not designed for use with lithium-ion batteries so we must be extremely careful not to burn them out. In almost all cases, these OEM alternators will have an internal Voltage regulator that cannot be adjusted for the Lithionics charge Voltages. If this is true, then we have 2 safe methods to still utilize this alternator while you drive but we will be required to install one of the following:

A1. Lithionics ACR (Automatic Charge Relay):
Here, we can connect the alternator’s positive output wire to the ACR’s big main contactor (I suggest that you order the Lithionics ACR together with the contactor). The way the ACR works is it takes the alternator’s 12 Volt output and properly regulates the Voltage. At the same time, the ACR also has programmed into it “alternator cooling cycles” so that after 45 minutes of charging, the ACR contactor opens and stops current going to the Lithionics battery for 15 minutes to allow the alternator to cool off. With this system, you can potentially recharge the Lithionics with full or near full Amp output from your alternator – after engine start battery charging and any DC loads are accounted for.

A2. DC to DC Smart Charger:
Here we can control both the Amps and Voltage going to the Lithionics battery with what is called a DC to DC Smart Battery Charger. Now its important to note that this is quite different from a DC to DC Converter (which can be used as a power supply but not for charging). The best model to use is the Victron Orion-TR Smart DC to DC Charger which is available in models with 12 Volt output ranging from about 9 Amps to 30 Amps. I most often install the 30 Amp version and in many cases, we can install several of them in parallel to increase the charging Amps from 30 Amps to 60 or 90 or higher Amps. The Victron model has an easy to use Bluetooth App that makes it easy to set up the charging Voltages and you can also monitor what the device is doing. They also come with a great 5 year warranty. Lithionics also approves the use of the Chinese made Kisae brand DC to DC chargers available in 30 and 50 Amps (possibly higher Amp versions coming) but I have found these very difficult to program and then confirm that I have the programming correctly set. As such, I only install the Victron Orion models.

B. Specialty Alternator: You plan to use a purpose built lithium compatible alternator: Here you will have a Nations Alternator, Balmar or DC Power lithium capable alternator that must be connected to either a Balmar or Wakespeed External Voltage Regulator.

B1. If using the Balmar regulator (such as the Balmar MC614 model), we will need to connect the Lithionics battery’s BMS option “FCC” (Field Circuit Control) wire connected to the Balmar regulator. This will communicate and tell the alternator when to turn off/ wind down the alternator’s field output – either when the battery is full or an error is detected.

B2. If using the Wakespeed WS500 regulator, it will connect to the Lithionics BMS via a CANBus connection/ wire harness. This is the best way to go as it is more sophisticated control of the alternator than with the FCC option.

B3. Of course, if your specialty lithium capable alternator is serving two separate lithium battery banks (or two battery banks with different chemistry) of the same Voltage, you could also use the Victron Orion-TR Smart DC to DC Charger(s) on one of the battery banks.

Both of these External Voltage Regulators do an excellent job of protecting the alternator from a sudden power cut and can be custom programmed for the correct charging Voltages. Both also have the option of decreasing the alternator’s output by up to 25% - which may be needed if you say have a 200 Amp alternator but your Lithionics battery/ BMS have a max. charge rate approval for 150 Amps.

Please keep in mind that many RV manufacturers place limits on the number of Amps permitted to going to charging a secondary battery bank. For example, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans generally permit only up to 80 Amps to be drawn off the OEM alternator to recharge the Lithionics Battery system. If you want more than the manufacturer’s warranty approved limits, you can always opt for one of the Nations Alternator dedicated second alternator kits that are available for most popular Mercedes, Ford, GM and Dodge truck chassis. More info on lithium compatible dedicated second alternator kits that we offer is located on our Alternator webpage at: https://www.getlithium.com/High_output_alternator_inverter_charger.html