Hi All,
Can you use a LiFePO4 battery with a CR300? I have reviewed the specifications and it seems like you can. If anyone has had experience with the internal solar controller powering a LiFePO4 battery I would request some input.
LarryT
Hello Larry,
I have no personal knowledge so I asked a CS design engineer. He said it is not possible for the CR300 CHG circuit to properly charge a LiFe battery. Batteries of this chemistry like a constant current and constant voltage. The CR300 charge regulator only controls voltage.The charge profile for LiFe batteries also show great sensitivity to temperature and the CR300 does not coorect for this. I have seen batteries of this type on the market that have an internal charge regulator so that externally they emulate the charge charcteristics of a lead acid battery. If you have one of those, then you should be fine.
We will work to solve this charging issue in our future designs.
Hi Zookeeper, thanks for the info, much appreciated!