7.
REFRESH
Slow self-discharging is prevented by automatically ‘refreshing’ the battery with a brief absorption charge.
5.2. Lithium-ion (LiFePO) batteries
When charging a lithium-ion battery, the charger uses a specific charging algorithm for lithium-ion batteries to maximise their
performance. Select LI-ION using the MODE button. When using the Low battery temperature cut-off, charging will stop when
batteries fall below 5°C (default) when coupled with a suitable VE.Smart networking temperature sensor, e.g. Smart Battery
Sense or SmartShunt.
You can see when this feature is active by pressing the 'Why is my charger off?' button in VictronConnect and it will state that the
charger is off due to a low battery temperature.
The voltage set points are set to lowest value possible (rather than switching the unit off completely), as it cannot be guaranteed
that a battery voltage is always present, which is required for the charger to switch off.
Some lithium batteries with built-in BMS will cut themselves off in case of over/under voltage or temperature, this includes Victron
Smart Lithium batteries. Since the BMS will disable the charge when the batteries are below 5°C, and also in case of cell over
voltage.
It is not necessary to use the VE.Smart sense feature, or buy a Smart Battery Sense to make sure a Phoenix Smart Charger
stops charging a Victron Smart Lithium Battery below 5°C, when correctly installed with a BMS.
5.3. Fully user-programmable charging algorithm
If the three pre-programmed charging algorithms are not suitable for your purposes, you can also program your own charging
algorithm using Bluetooth or the VE.Direct interface.
If a self-programmed charging algorithm is selected, the NORMAL, HIGH and LIION LEDs will not be lit. The status LEDs indicate
the location of the charging program in the charger.
If the MODE button is pressed during a self-programmed charging algorithm, the charger will return to the pre-programmed
NORMAL charging algorithm.
5.4. If a load is connected to the battery
A load can be applied to the battery during charging. Note: The battery will not be charged if the load current exceeds the output
current of the battery charger. Reconditioning will not be possible if a load is connected to the battery.
5.5. Starting a new charging cycle
A new charging cycle starts if:
1. The charger is in the float or storage phase and the current rises to its maximum value for more than 4 seconds due to a load.
2. The MODE button is pressed while charging.
3. The mains power is disconnected and reconnected.
5.6. Calculation of the charging time
A lead battery is about 80% charged at the start of the absorption phase.
The time T until 80% charged can be calculated as follows:
T = Ah / I
In which:
I
is the charging current (= current from the charger minus any current due to a load).
Ah
the number of
ampere hours
that should be charged.
A full absorption period up to 8 hours will be required to charge a battery 100%.
Example:
Charging time to 80% for a fully discharged 220Ah battery when charging it with a 30Abattery charger: T = 220 / 30 = 7.3 hours.
Charging time to 100%: 7.3 + 8 = 15.3 hours
A Li-ion battery is more than 95% charged at the start of the absorption phase and will be fully charged after about 30 minutes of
absorption charging.
Phoenix Smart IP43 Charger
Page 8
Charging algorithms
