I bought recently a LiFePo4 12Ah battery when it was on special.
I’m now investigating the different LiFePo4 chargers and came across the 5A Victron.
In the manual it is mentioned that they also can be used as a power supply with, or without, battery attached.
Since switchmode power supplies can be notoriusly noisy with birdies all over the place I wonder how the Victron fares in that regard (I like to know what I’m getting into before spending money).
Has anyone experience using a 5A Victron as a stand alone power supply and what the experience is?
Hi Jhon who are you over there? i Think is all ok …my Personal Name Mr ivan Nice to m you plasure Connection in Internet Website Sota i’m from IN92eb you Wellcome … in my activiti EA2WS/P i using Little Battery PVP aproximitly 57 euros in spain área …please send me e_mail 4 Have a Nice Sprint day and enjoy regards i hoppe to copy on the Future … 73/44 cult aroun the worlD Salicru UBT 12/17 Batería AGM recargable de 17 Ah / 12 V - Baterías para sistemas ups (Sealed Lead Acid (VRLA), Negro, 17 Ah, 12 V, 1 pieza(s), 5 año(s))
Hi John, I too wish to find out what is a suitable battery charger for my 12v 60a lifepo4 battery. Any advice welcomed. I use the battery when camping.
Hi John,
I think it’s the12v 7a charger variant that I use for the Lead acid in my campervan, it’s permanently wired and as far as I know no spurious RF interference. At least I can do radio when it’s on.
Victron are a good manufacturer, based in Holland I believe and specialise in mobile kit for campers and boats. I have several of their devices for solar panels and split charge.
Tim
Different product entirely, but I’ve been using a ‘Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Solar Charge Controller 75V 15A with Bluetooth’ to charge my batteries during Field Day and some other expedition style contests for the past 5 years. I have not noticed any RFI or increase in noise floor on the ham bands. I have been pleased with the Victron - they seem to make nice stuff.
Not especially with the 5 A Victron. We use Victron chargers at the local club station which is completely solar-powered. No iussues. Some chaps of the local ARC use Victron chargers in their campervans. No issues. I’ve heard of some more OMs who use Victron chargers - also no issues reported.
Thanks for all the replies, I’ll be purchasing the Victron Blue Smart 5A.
These are not the cheapest battery chargers but have a very good reputation, apparently some consider these to be the best on the market.
Our local electronics supplier is viewed as an honest guy (small town and word goes round quickly) and he said that the other common local brand of chargers (that he sells) often has issues but he has never had a Victron come back.
Lots of functionality that can be tailored should one desire to do so, if connected to a bluetooth device then there is a history of the last 40 charges.
I like the idea that this one can be set to either 2A or 5A maximum charging rate giving the option to charge batteries between 4Ah and 50 Ah.
You’ll want one of the bigger chargers for that. Recommended charging rate is around 30% but you can go as low as 10% and as high as 50% of battery capacity. In your case a charger between 6A and 30A. Personally I would be looking at the 15A version.
I would consider any potential future requirements so you do not end up buying now and having to upgrade at a later stage, buy once, cry once.
I have used a Victron Energy 15 Amp charger for a 60 Ah LiFEPO4 pack and have had no troubles with it RFI wise. It also has a power supply mode but have not used it in that configuration. The charger also has an inbuilt bluetooth interface so that you can monitor the charging process from your phone.
If you are concerned about a particular frequency for RFI, I could give it a quick check with a radio.
Its a good choice. Thats essentially what I’ve been using. All i can say is its top kit.
I didnt mention that it has Bluetooth control via the Victron app which is really neat - able to see where my Leisure battery is at. (Same with solar power controller and 12v charger from alternator). I’d send a picture as an example but i’m abroad and 1000 miles is not close enough for Bluetooth
This is not a well-kept secret and it is not too off topic. So I answer publicly. Maybe it is of use for others.
We run a 12 V system with a solar power of 500 Wp overall, 2 x Victron MPPT 100 and ca. 360 Ah SLAB. However, this summer we will replace the SLABs by ~ 300 Ah LiFePo4 batteries.
230 V were provided by an old and noisy inverter. The other day, it died finally, so we can also replace it.
We run up to 200 W P/out on 12 V. Works fine, but bear in mind that we usually do not operate the station on a daily basis. However I like to setup my mobile office at the club station in summer, which usually works fine for a week with laptops, monitors, chargers and frequent QSOs. But that’s only summer. Two consecutive nights of 160 m CQWW SSB @ 100 W in end-February works also fine. YMMV.
Some links.
Installing solar power and assembling the freshly-purchased barbecue (2017)
…my Personal Name Mr ivan Nice to m you plasure Connection in Internet Website Sota i’m from IN92eb you Wellcome … in my activiti EA2WS/P i using Little Battery PVP aproximitly 57 euros in spain área …please send me e_mail 4 
Have a Nice Sprint day and enjoy regards i hoppe to copy on the Future … 73/44 cult aroun the worlD Salicru UBT 12/17 Batería AGM recargable de 17 Ah / 12 V - Baterías para sistemas ups (Sealed Lead Acid (VRLA), Negro, 17 Ah, 12 V, 1 pieza(s), 5 año(s))
