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richardab1967 avatar image
richardab1967 asked

Efoy fuel cell with dc to dc charger

I have an older model Efoy fuel cell going in a campervan which can charge a lead battery directly up to about 14.2v and 4amps. It cannot charge lithium (The newer models can).

If i were to upgrade to lifepo4 house battery, could i charge the vehicles lead starter battery with the fuel cell and then use a victron orion dc to dc charger to charge a lifepo4 leisure battery.

My thinking is thats exactly what an altenator does when charging a lifepo4 via an orion. Any idea if this idea will work?

Cheers

orion dc-dc
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kevgermany avatar image kevgermany ♦♦ commented ·
Should work. All the Orion needs is a stable input of the correct voltage. How are you going to avoid depleting the starter battery?
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richardab1967 avatar image richardab1967 kevgermany ♦♦ commented ·
Doesnt the Orion stop drawing from the starter battery when alternator/engine is switched off? ie. when voltage drops back to normal. Was hoping that it would work the same when fuel cell is off.
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Matthias Lange - DE avatar image
Matthias Lange - DE answered ·

What makes the Efoy incompatible to lithium?

14.2V is totally fine for most lithium batteries.

Most "drop-in" Lithium batteries with internal BMS will automatically block charging if they are full, to cold or if there is a problem with a cell.

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richardab1967 avatar image richardab1967 commented ·
Actually i am only going on what they say in their technical literature. I also contacted them to check……they tried to sell me a new one that charges lithium, so perhaps i am suspicious!
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