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Home > Newest Products: Solar > Learn > Technical Support > Products > Batteries > 

Charge Controllers and Lithium Batteries

Charge Controllers and Lithium Batteries Ian McCluskey 9/27/2017
Charge Controllers and Lithium Batteries

First, let's cover some of the important characteristics of common Charge Controllers and Lithium Ion Batteries. Once you understand these options, RENVU Sales Engineers will be happy to help select a specific model number based on your preferences.

Charge Controllers:

  • Charge Regulation - Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is the most modern and common

    • Pulsing charge allows for absorb, float and bulk charge stages, and can include MPPT!

      • MPPT - important in cold climates since PV voltage will be high. It allows for longer solar panels strings

    • Non-MPPT - PV Array must match battery voltage, and does not track peak power.

  • Charge Controller Features

    • Adjustability - Factory set or field adjustable settings, eg. battery type, timers, set points, ambient temp and battery temp

    • Design Features - conduit knockouts, terminal block design, coated/sealed components for harsh environments, fan ventilation

    • Metering and Remote Metering

    • Auxiliary relay for fan, alarm, LVD (low voltage disconnect)

    • Ground Fault Detection

    • Load and Lighting Control

  • Battery Temp. Sensors - BTS is critical in hot climates, consult manufacturer

    • Attach BTS to side of battery, not top, and insulate with foam for protection and accuracy.

    • Verify reading with inspection and manual temp measurement

  • Meters - LED indicators are the minimum standard

    • Types - Digital, remote, data logging (ports, good for checking expected battery life)

    • Parameters -  Input volts, amps and watts; output volts, amps and watts; Battery SoC, load amps!

    • SoC Meters - Battery voltage-based meters are only accurate when battery is at rest!

      • Shunt-based - These measure amp-hours over time by checking directional voltage drop.

        • Programmable (user error is possible) and some models use machine learning

Lithium Ion Charging:

  • Benefits - Charging can be intermittent and incomplete without damaging batteries, efficient

  • Challenges - Tighter voltage tolerance, must double check; Must not be overcharged!  (No float or equalization charging)

    • Requires BMS  - Monitors each cell temp and V to prevent overcharging and over-discharging by shunting current around full cells to uncharged cells

      • Usually comes preprogrammed and requires internet access for upgrades from manufacturer

      • Verify compatibility with all other power electronics

  • Charging Stages - Only 2 or 3 optional stages

    • Constant Current (CC) -  Applied until voltage limit is reached

    • Balancing - Reduction of current as max SoC approaches (optional)

    • Constant Voltage (CV) - Equal to battery until SoC = 100%


Lithium Voltage - Higher than Lead Acid Batteries, 3.7-4.2 Vpc

If you already read the other Battery-based systems articles, then you covered everything from
battery-based system load analysis to system sizing and battery technology product selection. All that remains is to integrate all these moving parts and install the system! I recommend reading Battery-based System Electrical Integration next.


To read the Full Battery Series:
1. Battery-based System Load Analysis
2. Battery-based System Types and Modes of Operation
3. Battery Technology Selection
4. Charge Controllers and Lithium Batteries
5. Battery-based System Electrical Integration
6. Battery-based System Commissioning


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