StealthGTI
New Member
Hello,
I've used two different Victron Orion DC-DC chargers: first, the Tr 12/12-30A and now the XS 12/12-50A. Both have the usual three stages of charge (bulk, absorption, and float). Both also have a Storage stage, sometimes referred to as a "phase" or "mode." Searching for discussions about "storage" has proven challenging since most of those discussions center around putting the battery in a closet for unplugged storage (an exaggeration, but you get my drift). I'm hoping that you might be able to explain "Storage" stage and its use or benefit in a LiFePo4 system. For reference, I'm using 4-cell setup of 100-Ah Fortune cells for a total of 12.8V with a Radio B 120-amp BMS.
My XS owners manual describes the Storage phase as "The battery voltage is maintained at the configured storage voltage, which is slightly reduced compared to the float voltage to minimise gassing and extend battery life whilst the battery is unused and on continuous charge." Another paragraph says, "During this phase, storage voltage is applied to the battery. If the battery has been connected to the battery charger for more than 48 hours, further lowering the charging voltage can prevent corrosion in lead-acid batteries."
There is two reasons why I'm confused about the Storage phase: 1) My setup is in a car. I admit that my battery stays at high levels of charge unless I really put a load on it while parked. But it's still surprising to frequently see the charger go straight from Absorption to Storage, skipping Float altogether. 2) Although my battery is connected to the charger full-time, the car's engine is off and not charging during most of the day and overnight. Does that still qualify as being "connected to the battery charger for more than 48 hours?" Is there a problem with the way my charger is behaving? I'm not in a panic or anything; just trying to learn this little tidbit of info.
In case it matters, my charger is using the following settings:
Absorption - 13.9V (any higher and one of two cells triggers HVD prematurely)
Float - 13.6V (I chose this voltage so that my cells continue to balance after engine restarts during float)
Storage - 13.4V (chosen so that I can see when the battery is in "storage" instead of floating)
Re-Bulk Offset - 0.1V
Absorption Duration - Adaptive
Max Absorption Time - 30m
Tail Current - Disabled
Repeated Absorption - Every 7 Days (which seems irrelevant since the battery discharges when the car is parked, even if only 10-15%, and then re-bulks the next day)
I appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Scott
I've used two different Victron Orion DC-DC chargers: first, the Tr 12/12-30A and now the XS 12/12-50A. Both have the usual three stages of charge (bulk, absorption, and float). Both also have a Storage stage, sometimes referred to as a "phase" or "mode." Searching for discussions about "storage" has proven challenging since most of those discussions center around putting the battery in a closet for unplugged storage (an exaggeration, but you get my drift). I'm hoping that you might be able to explain "Storage" stage and its use or benefit in a LiFePo4 system. For reference, I'm using 4-cell setup of 100-Ah Fortune cells for a total of 12.8V with a Radio B 120-amp BMS.
My XS owners manual describes the Storage phase as "The battery voltage is maintained at the configured storage voltage, which is slightly reduced compared to the float voltage to minimise gassing and extend battery life whilst the battery is unused and on continuous charge." Another paragraph says, "During this phase, storage voltage is applied to the battery. If the battery has been connected to the battery charger for more than 48 hours, further lowering the charging voltage can prevent corrosion in lead-acid batteries."
There is two reasons why I'm confused about the Storage phase: 1) My setup is in a car. I admit that my battery stays at high levels of charge unless I really put a load on it while parked. But it's still surprising to frequently see the charger go straight from Absorption to Storage, skipping Float altogether. 2) Although my battery is connected to the charger full-time, the car's engine is off and not charging during most of the day and overnight. Does that still qualify as being "connected to the battery charger for more than 48 hours?" Is there a problem with the way my charger is behaving? I'm not in a panic or anything; just trying to learn this little tidbit of info.
In case it matters, my charger is using the following settings:
Absorption - 13.9V (any higher and one of two cells triggers HVD prematurely)
Float - 13.6V (I chose this voltage so that my cells continue to balance after engine restarts during float)
Storage - 13.4V (chosen so that I can see when the battery is in "storage" instead of floating)
Re-Bulk Offset - 0.1V
Absorption Duration - Adaptive
Max Absorption Time - 30m
Tail Current - Disabled
Repeated Absorption - Every 7 Days (which seems irrelevant since the battery discharges when the car is parked, even if only 10-15%, and then re-bulks the next day)
I appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Scott
