Will this inverter work with Lithium batteries ?

[Wild Cape]

I'm currently using lead acids, but after three years plus are fading fast so they have done remarkably well. I want to upgrade to Lithiums when they become availble again, so crossing fingers it's not months away. I'm just questioning if my current Power Star Lw 1000w (Light Green Power) Inverter will run efficiently on Lithiums ? I have attached pics of the
available battery settings and specs.

 

[DuracellBunny]

I'm currently using lead acids, but after three years plus are fading fast so they have done remarkably well. I want to upgrade to Lithiums when they become availble again, so crossing fingers it's not months away. I'm just questioning if my current Power Star Lw 1000w (Light Green Power) Inverter will run efficiently on Lithiums ? I have attached pics of the
available battery settings and specs.

You going to have a problem with the charging stages, esp number 8, which will destroy the battery or worse cause a fire from exploding. If you would want to still make use of the inverter, I would say look at external lithium charger to use on the batteries and perhaps just use the inverter to invert your DC to AC and not to charge the battery.

 

[TheChamp]

The battery types it can charge are shown there, there is no lithium.

It can still work but not seamlessly.

 

[TheChamp]

You going to have a problem with the charging stages, esp number 8, which will destroy the battery or worse cause a fire from exploding. If you would want to still make use of the inverter, I would say look at external lithium charger to use on the batteries and perhaps just use the inverter to invert your DC to AC and not to charge the battery.

Problem is that I don't think there is way to stop the inverter from charging the battery. It's not worth the trouble, perhaps getting a good gel, AGM and a solar panel is a much better way of spending money if you still insist on using the inverter.

 

[wingnut771]

I'm currently using lead acids, but after three years plus are fading fast so they have done remarkably well. I want to upgrade to Lithiums when they become availble again, so crossing fingers it's not months away. I'm just questioning if my current Power Star Lw 1000w (Light Green Power) Inverter will run efficiently on Lithiums ? I have attached pics of the
available battery settings and specs.

Perfect. Position 2: AGM 1 setting. 14.1 13.4.

 

[wingnut771]

You going to have a problem with the charging stages, esp number 8, which will destroy the battery or worse cause a fire from exploding. If you would want to still make use of the inverter, I would say look at external lithium charger to use on the batteries and perhaps just use the inverter to invert your DC to AC and not to charge the battery.

Yes, don't use position 8.

 

[TheChamp]

Perfect. Position 2: AGM 1 setting. 14.1 13.4.

Oh? Is it like settings he can choose?

 

[wingnut771]

Oh? Is it like settings he can choose?

That's how I understand this:

 

[DuracellBunny]

Problem is that I don't think there is way to stop the inverter from charging the battery. It's not worth the trouble, perhaps getting a good gel, AGM and a solar panel is a much better way of spending money if you still insist on using the inverter.

A schottky would do the trick in preventing it from charging but I agree, Not worth the trouble and pain. A good Jelly Batt, a Charge controller and a nice large panel would do it as you mentioned or maybe retire the
inverter for something better?

New Info after digging* Went through the manual - Says setting 8 needs to be manually activated but then all you would need to do is choose a battery type that is in the voltage range of the lithium battery you get.

Manual https://www.smsolar.com.sg/datasheets/solar inverter/Zlpower LW Inverter Charger LED manual.pdf

 

[TheChamp]

A schottky would do the trick in preventing it from charging but I agree, Not worth the trouble and pain. A good Jelly Batt, a Charge controller and a nice large panel would do it as you mentioned or maybe retire the
inverter for something better?

New Info after digging* Went through the manual - Says setting 8 needs to be manually activated but then all you would need to do is choose a battery type that is in the voltage range of the lithium battery you get.

Manual https://www.smsolar.com.sg/datasheets/solar inverter/Zlpower LW Inverter Charger LED manual.pdf

Yes, that is what I am realising, all he needs to do is select the range that best matches the lithium battery.

 

[The_Ogre]

You going to have a problem with the charging stages, esp number 8, which will destroy the battery or worse cause a fire from exploding. If you would want to still make use of the inverter, I would say look at external lithium charger to use on the batteries and perhaps just use the inverter to invert your DC to AC and not to charge the battery.

Those aren't stages. You choose one of the charging profiles...

 

[The_Ogre]

A schottky would do the trick in preventing it from charging but I agree, Not worth the trouble and pain. A good Jelly Batt, a Charge controller and a nice large panel would do it as you mentioned or maybe retire the
inverter for something better?

New Info after digging* Went through the manual - Says setting 8 needs to be manually activated but then all you would need to do is choose a battery type that is in the voltage range of the lithium battery you get.

Manual https://www.smsolar.com.sg/datasheets/solar inverter/Zlpower LW Inverter Charger LED manual.pdf

Snap

 

[The_Ogre]

Perfect. Position 2: AGM 1 setting. 14.1 13.4.

Agreed. Should be perfect for Lithium

 

[AlphaJohn]

The unit has an actual DC earth!

Colour me impressed.

 

[Muttley]

We have a similar unit at home (Devel 6Kva) - it's old and starting to realise after plugging in a Victron Smart Shunt that as soon as it starts to charge up the batteries after load shedding, it cooks the batteries (currently 4 x Deep Cycle DC31's in series: 48V) for about 30mins before dropping off on the charge rate...

(was fiddling with home assistant: hence the missing data from 11:20 on wards..)

 

[wingnut771]

We have a similar unit at home (Devel 6Kva) - it's old and starting to realise after plugging in a Victron Smart Shunt that as soon as it starts to charge up the batteries after load shedding, it cooks the batteries (currently 4 x Deep Cycle DC31's in series: 48V) for about 30mins before dropping off on the charge rate...
View attachment 1347610
(was fiddling with home assistant: hence the missing data from 11:20 on wards..)

You can see it's only for 15 minutes then it starts tapering off. Now with LFP, it will sit at 47A until its 100% full, which is why lithium charges so quick.

 

[Wild Cape]

Many thanks for the feedback here ! Yes correct these are battery settings you can chose on a dial, as in the attached picture. I have also today asked the technical folk at Rubicon and they have indicated it will work with Lithiums... so time will tell. I need to ask them which setting ?

 

[wingnut771]

Many thanks for the feedback here ! Yes correct these are battery settings you can chose on a dial, as in the attached picture. I have also today asked the technical folk at Rubicon and they have indicated it will work with Lithiums... so time will tell. I need to ask them which setting ?

Are my words not good enough?

 

[Wild Cape]

i actually asked them several days ago when I booked the lithiums and got a reply this pm......
I have received a variety of opinions and answers hence posting here today..

 

[Wild Cape]

Another inverter supply company suggested setting 5..