Solar Lithium Battery Charger-Circuit and Charging

Solar battery charger is preferred by most people as the electrical energy may be collected and reused in applications such as mobile phone or tablet, charging. Solar energy is a free energy that is the best renewable energy that harvest anytime.

The solar panels are useful and majority people know this truth. Even, in the modern days generating electricity through solar energy is going on. The nonrenewable energy generating electricity already has resulted in depletion of ozone layer that was preventing us from the UV harmful rays.  However, in the energy crisis of today, the solar battery chargers are proving to be of great revolution. Besides, now you can carry the solar battery charger anywhere and use it during an emergency.

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Solar Lithium Battery Charger Circuit

The advancement in Drone, Electric Vehicles, and other mobile electronics, such as IoT devices are promising. The common thing here is they are powered by batteries. Nowadays, the electronic devices are becoming smaller, while these portable devices may operate as per their own power source.

The common portable electronics battery choice is lithium polymer batteries or Lithium Ion. These batteries feature good charge density, but care should be taken while using or charging them as they are chemically unstable.

The lithium batteries must be handled carefully. Shorting or overcharging it may lead to fire hazard and explosion, so staying safe is recommended. Any one new to lithium batteries should read and proceed with using the solar lithium battery charger circuit.

Solar lithium battery charging

Solar lithium battery is useful for charging, but a solar charge controller is required to charge with a solar panel any 12V battery. The portable power generator /station is helpful, yet having an built-in with an inverter is beneficial. In fact, even off-grid residential installations require a solar charge controller.   

Solar lithium battery charging putts at risk your expensive battery without a controller. It leaves the pocket feel painful and damages or destroys the battery. Fortunately lithium ion batteries prevent overcharging as they feature a battery management system. Nevertheless, a solar charge controller is an important piece for any solar setup.

A quality solar controller helps to keep the lithium ion battery safe and makes the charging process efficient. However, the solar panel wattage is not an issue. Higher the solar panel wattage, the solar lithium battery charging will be faster. With higher wattage in a solar panel array, the charge will be faster of a lithium ion battery bank. Therefore, there is no other solar panel type to perform better with lithium batteries.

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Can you charge a lithium battery with a solar panel?

Yes, charging a lithium battery using a solar panel is possible (if the solar panel also has the right output power to charge the battery).

Here is the step by step guide to charge a lithium battery with a solar panel:

Step 1. Buy a Charge Controller

Buying a charge controller is a must and they are in two types, MPPT and PWM. An MPPT charge controller is recommended for lithium batteries.  It runs on most solar systems and offers the desired results. Using a PWM controller means it reduces the solar panels voltage until the battery matches. The solar array is unable to use to its full power, that it includes wasting current in dollars.

An MPPT charge controller adjusts automatically the current as required. It also increases the current if the solar array voltage gets reduced, thereby ensures maximum current reaching the battery.

There are several differences in a MPPT and PWM controller; however, MPPT controllers are the most important ones as they are more efficient in charging a lithium battery.

Step 2. Set Up the Charge Controller

Installing the charge controllers in a waterproof location is a must. A distance between the battery, the controller and the solar panels should be adequate enough for the cables. 

Ascertain the electrical components and solar panels are grounded. It facilitates mounting on any surface the controller, except for metals.

Step 3. Configure Lithium Battery Cables

Remove from the packaging the lithium batteries. If the wires are plugged in already, follow the next step.

If the wires are kept loose, plug them properly into the slots. They are color coded wires and so distinguish and plug them properly into positive and negative slots.

Ensure the wires feature proper inputs, so that the battery does not charge. You may secure the wires.

Step 4. Plug Battery Wires Into the Charge Controller

Take two loose battery wire ends and insert into the charge controller. These are the positive and negative ports appearing on the controller. Insert the wires in the right location.

Designs vary, but sliding the battery wires into the controller is important. Ensure the wires are in place by securing them using a screwdriver.

Step 5. Put on the Charge Controller Wires the MC4 Connectors

Hold charge controller wires and position on the ends the MC4 connectors. If your solar kit does not have MC4 connectors, buy the same from a solar power supply shop.

Step 6. Connect to the Solar Panel the Controller Wires

Fit the charge controller wire ends to MC4 connectors. Take them and plug into solar panel connectors.

Solar panels feature MC4 connectors. Carefully match the solar MC4 male and female connectors with the charge controller slots. The MC4 male controller should be connected to the MC4 connector female solar panel. Follow the same with the panel connectors and other controller.

Step 7. Test the Charge Controller

Give a light tug to all the wirings and ensure they fit. Turn the charge controller on, if it is not done automatically. The installation is complete if no error messages appear.

Step 8. Give Battery Time to Charge

Wait patiently for the battery to charge. The time taken depends on the sun hours, the solar array size, and the power balance in the battery.

A solar panel 300W charges in 4 hours a 12V 100ah lithium battery.  Even a 100ah battery requires 4 hours to charge. However, it is on the assumption that the solar panel produces in four hours 1200 watts. It may take more charging time such as 5 hours or more, in less ideal weather. However, if your battery bank is large, charging takes more time. Thus, it is recommended to have a large solar array to charge the batteries faster.