Cycling lithium batteries

[John and Debbie]

Hi all, I have received two different recommendations for care of lithium batteries.  Initially I was told it was ok to just have the trailer plugged into shore power continuously.  Later, I was told to cycle the batteries monthly to bring them down to 12.1 volts.  Last month I unplugged both at the trailer and the house and watched the voltage drop.  It never got down to 12.1v, but at 12.6v and 10% soc the batteries turned off.  I then plugged the trailer back in.  Batteries are at 100% soc.   I haven't unplugged since last month.  What is everyone else doing with battery maintenance with their lithium batteries?  Thanks.

John

[Rivernerd]

Just now, John and Debbie said:

What is everyone else doing with battery maintenance with their lithium batteries?  Thanks.

What you have done fits the protocol for Lithionics batteries, but that procedure is only required every 6 months when not in use, not monthly.  See attached storage procedure.

Lithionics Storage Procedure Rev.7.pdf

[John and Debbie]

1 hour ago, Rivernerd said:

What you have done fits the protocol for Lithionics batteries, but that procedure is only required every 6 months when not in use, not monthly.  See attached storage procedure.

Lithionics Storage Procedure Rev.7.pdf 143.35 kB · 0 downloads

Thanks for the info.  You and I have very similar hull numbers, which I knew.

John

[jd1923]

On 12/11/2024 at 9:16 AM, John and Debbie said:

I haven't unplugged since last month.  What is everyone else doing with battery maintenance with their lithium batteries?

I no longer trust battery chargers to be on for months in any kind of advertised maintenance mode. Years ago I did that using a Battery Tender on an AGM motorcycle battery and I had to replace it the very next summer!

Epoch Batteries states “for long-term storage maintain at least 50% SOC and periodically recharge to maintain battery health.”

We never store our Oliver. It’s always outside, solar charger on, rarely connected to shore power, so no supplemental charging. I will only plug in if it gets under 50% but generally stays 80-90% with SC alone. It’s good know the batteries at night are mainly at rest, providing -2A (with Victron inverter and Outside Courtesy lights on), and in winter sun recharging slowly during the day. 😂

Edited Tuesday at 07:25 PM by jd1923

[Ronbrink]

20 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I no longer trust battery chargers to be on for months in any kind of advertised maintenance mode.

Our Oliver lives indoors when not in use and is plugged into the facility’s 15A service outlet. When the charging aspect of the Xantrex 2000 failed, a dedicated charging system was installed to maintain SOC. The LFPs slowly discharge over extended periods of time from minimal draws and when 75% SOC is reached the system will turn On, fully charge the battery bank, then turn Off. Only time will tell if this practice is a detriment to these batteries.