Lithium 65%. How to recharge?

[chesaka]

Hi, I have two LifeBlue lithium 100 ah batteries and two 190 solar panels. Up until now, it routinely appeared it was 100 percent on Escape installed 2022 21ne Go Pro monitor. It's been rainy for weeks in Alaska this summer. I've had the trailer parked mostly for the past month. I did not disconnect the batteries. Turned everything off. It's reading 65 percent. So, I'm guessing I need to charge up. I can do this off my Honda 2200 generator I think. I did this with a different generator once before. Any advice on this process? How can I recharge at my house on the outdoor electrical outlet? I'm guessing I need some kind of adapter? I also have a Battery Tender that charges lithium and a NOCO power boost I have never used on anything. I feel like a dummy, but any help appreciated. Going on a trip this weekend and water those batteries powered up!

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by chesaka

Hi, I have two LifeBlue lithium 100 ah batteries and two 190 solar panels. Up until now, it routinely appeared it was 100 percent on Escape installed 2022 21ne Go Pro monitor. It's been rainy for weeks in Alaska this summer. I've had the trailer parked mostly for the past month. I did not disconnect the batteries. Turned everything off. It's reading 65 percent. So, I'm guessing I need to charge up. I can do this off my Honda 2200 generator I think. I did this with a different generator once before. Any advice on this process? How can I recharge at my house on the outdoor electrical outlet? I'm guessing I need some kind of adapter? I also have a Battery Tender that charges lithium and a NOCO power boost I have never used on anything. I feel like a dummy, but any help appreciated. Going on a trip this weekend and water those batteries powered up!

Yes, if you have your batteries connected to the trailer Battery disCONNECT switch 'ON' and you plug into shore power (either a generator or a household 120 volt plug using an adapter). The batteries will charge using the trailers built in converter. It should take 2 hours or less to recharge them.

[chesaka]

thank you. i will try that.

[kernwig]

If you won't be using your trailer right away, I suggest waiting. Lithium batteries are happiest at a mid-level of charge... 65% is great for them. Charge again when they drop closer to 20% and outside temperature is above freezing, or you are ready for your next camping adventure.

[chesaka]

Good to know! I did charge up to 100 percent but will turn on the power again and that will slowly take them down to that 65-75 percent on these cloudy days.

[chesaka]

Did charge them up again. Took about an hour I'm guessing. Probably less. Good to know how to do that with the generator. I should be ready for my trip.

[oldguard1953]

I had the dealer install a Battle Born 100amp lithium in my trailer before I took delivery. I found out that the WFCO power converter was only charging the battery to 85% capacity when plugged into shore power or generator. Had to purchase a new converter that was Lithium compatible. I purchased a Victron Energy Blue Smart IP 65 battery charger. It works great, bluetooth enabled, shows you exactly what's going on during the charge.

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by kernwig

If you won't be using your trailer right away, I suggest waiting. Lithium batteries are happiest at a mid-level of charge... 65% is great for them. Charge again when they drop closer to 20% and outside temperature is above freezing, or you are ready for your next camping adventure.

That is true for Lithium ION batteries. It is not true for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Battle Born recommends storing their LiFePO4 batteries at full charge.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by oldguard1953

I had the dealer install a Battle Born 100amp lithium in my trailer before I took delivery. I found out that the WFCO power converter was only charging the battery to 85% capacity when plugged into shore power or generator. Had to purchase a new converter that was Lithium compatible. I purchased a Victron Energy Blue Smart IP 65 battery charger. It works great, bluetooth enabled, shows you exactly what's going on during the charge.

I take it you didn't get solar. We quit charging with our WFCO charger in 2020 (it failed, ruining our AGM batteries and the replacement was disabled), using solar as the only source, besides the 4 amp we get when driving down the road from our truck. We found 170 watts on the roof and a 100 watt portable (that was rarely used) kept us full for our limited uses, and we camp 90% of the time with no services.

In 2021, we added 300 watts to the roof for an inverter, so we could make toast, and then the portable never came out. Enough solar, >350 watts, should do the trick. We invested in solar, rather than big chargers (we do have a Victron IP22 for emergencies) or a finicky DC-DC unit, and it just plain works, unless you're Johnny Hung and you've turned your trailer into a mobile home.

Food for thought,

Perry