Iota DLS-30/IQ4 and Lithium Batteries

[Vic Harder]

Short term, you can use most chargers setup for AGM on Lithium batteries. Not so for FLA chargers, especially if they include a de-sulfation phase. Check the documentation for voltage levels/phases.

And yes, there are varied recommendations out there, as well as varying suggestions from manufacturers on what their batteries want.

The DSL-IQ4 uses 14.8V bulk, 14.2V absorb, 13.6v Float.

My Victron stuff is setup for 14.4V bulk, no absorb, no float (set to 13.4V) I believe many LiFePo4 manufacturers use 14.6V bulk.

14.8 is high, but not crazy. 14.2 is low, but also not nuts. the 13.6V is the more concerning part, so leaving the battery on shore power for a long time would not be advisable.

 

[jimjxsn]

My ATC Panther came with the DLS-30/IQ4 and when I switched to a Battle Born battery I switched it out for a DLS-30 with the Iota IQ-LIFEPO controller. Then, my BB battery died...

In talking to BB tech support, I was told that it was fine to use the DLS-30/IQ4 even though it doesn't charge at the perfect settings.

While BB was investigating my battery failure, I switched the iota controller for the IQ4 module since I was using a temporary AGM battery.

Once I got the replacement BB battery, I just switched out the controller back to the IQ-LIFEPO.

YMMV

 

[rubberlegs]

Here's something interesting, this guy tweaked his DLS-30 voltage:
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/iota-dls-30-sale.18200/#post-210914

 

[jclifb]

I got in my camper yesterday in the garage and could hear my Iota charger fan running really fast. Opened the battery compartment and was blasted with heat. My battery was extremely hot to the touch which was not good. Unplugged the battery and carefully removed the AGM battery from the camper and shut off the charging from the charger. Phew.

I ordered a BattleBorn LiPo 100ah battery to replace the AGM. Now I am on a mission to replace my Iota DLS-30 IQ/4 charger to a unit that will charge the LiPo battery more effectively.

I am at the point of getting another Iota DLS-30 that is programmed to charge a LiPo battery. I will charge mostly from shore power and potentially a solar panel on the roof (camper is pre-wired for solar).

My question is: am I missing a piece of the puzzle to switch the camper to LiPo?

Also, I am not green when it comes to electrical builds. This was my last build from scratch: