- Charging Lithium-Based 12V Battery with a Minn Kota Digital or Precision (PC or PCL) Charger
- Charger Compatibility
- Why the Precision Charger (PCL) doesn't Display State of Charge when Used with a Lithium (LiFePO4) battery in Lithium mode
- Charge Level to Store or Ship Lithium (LiFePO4) Batteries
Charging Lithium-Based 12V Battery with a Minn Kota Digital or Precision (PC or PCL) Charger
- 12V lithium-based (LiFePO4) batteries can be charged with Minn Kota Digital, PC or PCL chargers. Before using any charger on a lithium (LiFePO4) battery, check the battery manufacturer's charging requirements to ensure a proper charge. In cases where a Lithium battery type is not available, manufacturers may recommend using the AGM setting.
- It is also important to understand the functions your lithium battery provides. Lithium batteries can shut themselves off after extensive use or under certain conditions. Most lithium batteries have intelligent electronics inside called a BMS (Battery Management System). The purpose of your BMS is to protect your battery investment from permanent damage. If the BMS detects an undesirable condition it will electrically disconnect the battery terminal from the lithium cells inside the lithium battery. This is called Standby Mode. In the case where the BMS has turned off the battery, the charger may display an error code such as, “check connection” message. Most lithium batteries require that you remove all electrical connections to the battery before it will turn back on.
- Lithium batteries can shut themselves off after extensive use or under certain conditions. This protective condition is referred to as Standby Mode. Refer to your Lithium Battery Owner's Manual to learn more about conditions that could activate Standby Mode. Your Minn Kota PCL charger has an Auto Start system set up to automatically restart the battery a set number of times to take the Lithium Battery out of Standby Mode so that is can be charged.
Charger Compatibility
- The Minn Kota Chargers are not compatible with single 24V and 36V Lithium Batteries.
- Always check with your battery manufacture to verify the charging profile is compatible with your Lithium battery.
Why the Precision Charger (PCL) doesn't Display State of Charge when Used with a Lithium (LiFePO4) battery in Lithium mode
- It is important to understand the functions your lithium battery provides. Most lithium batteries have intelligent electronics inside called a BMS (Battery Management System). The purpose of your BMS is to protect your battery investment from permanent damage and it also aids in part of the charging process.
- When Minn Kota PCL charger set to Lithium mode it applies and monitors power differently than with standard lead acid batteries. This process does allow the battery to be charger faster and more efficiently, however does not allow for determine the state of charge well. The charger will Flash the Green LED indicating the charging is in process. The charge process is fully completed the GREEN LEDs will be solid.
Charge Level to Store or Ship Lithium (LiFePO4) Batteries
Always check with your battery manufacture to verify the best way to charge and store your batteries.
