Posted By: tboxfish
Lithium Battery charging issues!!!! - 12/13/22 03:42 PM
I just purchased 3 100ah LiFePO4 Ampere Time batteries.
I have a MinnKota MK 4400 onboard charger, which according to the manufactor, .is compatable with Lithium LiFepO4 batteries.
Plugged the charger in for about 12 hrs. One of the indicators was blinking green (Charged), the other two indicators to the new batteries was solid yellow (charging).
Checked voltage at trolling motor, 40 volts.
Took boat out to test them, and the TM (Ulterra) worked great. Only fished for about 4.5 hrs
Came home, plugged charger in, next morning the indicator lights are blinking red.
I disconnected the jumper wires for a 36v series, plugged charger in and lights are yellow after a full day.
While they were charging I sent an email to Ampere Time asking about charging a 36 volt series system with my charger.
They said that I needed to disconnect jumper wires before charging. (Pain in the BUTT!)
My battery voltage is now 14.1; 13.8; 13.7 on the batteries. (Lights still yellow)
I know after reading the manual, that I need to balance the batteries by connecting them in parallel for 12-24 hrs, but this should have no bearing on charging them as you are supposed to charge before balancing
I tested voltage after charger had been unplugged for over an hour
According to the User guide I got with the batteries, 100% capacity of the batteries is 13.5 volts
Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!!!
I have a MinnKota MK 4400 onboard charger, which according to the manufactor, .is compatable with Lithium LiFepO4 batteries.
Plugged the charger in for about 12 hrs. One of the indicators was blinking green (Charged), the other two indicators to the new batteries was solid yellow (charging).
Checked voltage at trolling motor, 40 volts.
Took boat out to test them, and the TM (Ulterra) worked great. Only fished for about 4.5 hrs
Came home, plugged charger in, next morning the indicator lights are blinking red.
I disconnected the jumper wires for a 36v series, plugged charger in and lights are yellow after a full day.
While they were charging I sent an email to Ampere Time asking about charging a 36 volt series system with my charger.
They said that I needed to disconnect jumper wires before charging. (Pain in the BUTT!)
My battery voltage is now 14.1; 13.8; 13.7 on the batteries. (Lights still yellow)
I know after reading the manual, that I need to balance the batteries by connecting them in parallel for 12-24 hrs, but this should have no bearing on charging them as you are supposed to charge before balancing
I tested voltage after charger had been unplugged for over an hour
According to the User guide I got with the batteries, 100% capacity of the batteries is 13.5 volts
Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!!!