Lithium battery charging

[Jamesgyore]

I rather hope someone has installed a lithium battery in their ultralight.

Any insights about charging... some little magic box to manage the unusual battery charging needs?

Regards,

James.

[rainier]

Most lithium batteries made for 12V systems like motorcycles, generators etc include a charge controller built in - in a way that makes them compatible with normal lead acid battery chargers.
The wisdom of using these in an aircraft may however be a different thing - images of a certain Boeing 787 dreamliner come to mind.
They do have one advantage though - they are pretty low weight.

[gd5362]

I and several others have used the EarthX lithium batteries with good results. The applications I'm familiar with use the engine alternator for charging. I have inadvertently discharged a battery and after following Earthx procedures it recharged without damage.

[Jamesgyore]

Yes I’m familiar with the EarthX product.

A number of batteries now seem to come with an integrated BMS. Naturally not all batteries are equal.

A DC-DC lithium battery charger is not hard, several talented fellows have build and shared such devices on youtube. Well beyond my own abilities to understand and construct.

You must understand, I’m a simple chef. The heaviest intellectual lifting I do, is how to burn shit and serve it hot, but not in flames.

I had thought to use a small solar charge controller, figuring, in principle at least, it would be not much dissimilar to a purpose built DC-DC lithium charge controller.

Not much luck I’m afraid, until you jump up to 20 or more amps, in which case the charger/regulator is heavy and about the size of a shoe box.

Perhaps the wonderful people at MGL’s school of avionics and wizardry might have a spell or potion?

[adamoconnor]

Whose batteries are you using?

I've lost count of the amount of lithium batteries I've put into all kinds of "toys", whether on ground or in air, that I can just apply a minimum of 13.5V to and let the battery's internals do its thing. Even cheaper batteries from companies like Bioenno Power or Dakota Lithium have integrated charge controllers....not that I would exactly use them in an aircraft. EarthX is my recommendation, albeit admittedly expensive.

They install just like any normal old battery - no special wiring required.

If you're looking for something like a trickle charger for when you're not flying, EarthX sells lithium battery maintainers for all brands of lithium batteries. I would NOT use your bog standard $20 lead-acid battery maintainer, as they have special modes for de-sulfating and float charging, whereas a lithium battery charger will act just like a regulated alternator - and that is provide a constant voltage and let the battery management handle the rest.

[JoshuaEmove]

Use an original voltage regulator u can set them to the charging bolts u want
Make sure the wires coming from the stator are good

4-6ohms across rotor
Good battery

Test stator
Good luck try to find good used rotors

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