I'm curious if it's possible to charge a 24V battery using two identical 14.6V 30A LiFePO chargers in series. My battery setup consists of two 12V 100AH batteries connected in series. I'm considering this setup because I want to use a 12V charger for initial charges and occasional equalization, but I'd also like a way to regularly charge my combined batteries when sunlight is scarce. Any advice on this would be appreciated! Thanks, Dave.
4 Answers
If your chargers have isolated outputs, then it might work! Just make sure you connect it to the middle of your pack to avoid any issues. Gotta be careful not to let the smoke out, haha!
An easier solution is just to use one charger per battery. I had a setup with eight AGM batteries wired for 48V and used individual 12V chargers—one for each battery. That way, each battery gets its own love!
Running two 12V chargers in series is pretty uncommon and not generally recommended since I haven't seen any certified for that. It's best to keep things safe and just buy a dedicated 24V charger. They're quite affordable and you'll save yourself some headaches down the line.
You'll need to check the specs on each charger to see if they can handle being in series. Some chargers can do it, while others can't, so be sure to do your research.
Can I verify if they have isolated outputs using a scope or a DVM, or would I need to open them up?