In this tutorial, I’ll show you 2 ways to charge lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries with solar panels. Contact online >>
In this tutorial, I’ll show you 2 ways to charge lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries with solar panels.
(No solar experience necessary.)
In fact, I use both of these ways to solar charge my own LiFePO4 batteries.
Let’s get started.
In my opinion, this is the easiest way to charge LiFePO4 batteries with solar panels.
This method requires no tools or prior solar experience. It’s relatively cheap. And it’s as plug-and-play as it gets.
This method is so easy I made a 60-second video showing you how to do it. Check it out and consider subscribing to my channel if you like DIY solar videos like this!
Connect the MPPT charge controller to the solar panel, using an MC4 to SAE adapter cable, if needed. Your charge controller should automatically turn on once you do. If it doesn’t, try using the included SAE polarity adapter to get the solar panel’s polarity to match the charge controller’s.
Select your battery type using the charge controller’s MODE button. I’m using a lithium iron phosphate battery, so I pressed the MODE button until the “Lithium” battery setting was selected.
If you’re using a different type of battery, such as an AGM or sealed lead acid battery, select that type.
Connect the battery to the charge controller using SAE to battery alligator clips. Connect the positive charge controller cable to the positive battery terminal and the negative cable to the negative battery terminal.
Look at the charge controller’s screen to confirm that the solar panel is charging the battery. The charge controller’s screen should show you the charging amps and volts. (You may have to wait a minute for the charge controller to track the maximum power point.) Mine showed a current of 6.6 amps at 14.0 volts, which works out to 92.4 watts from my 100 watt solar panel.
And just like that…
…you’re charging your LiFePO4 battery with a solar panel!
Now all you have to do is wait until your battery is fully charged. The charge controller will automatically stop charging the battery once it’s full.
This second method isn’t nearly as easy to set up, but it’s the best route if you want a more permanent and expandable system with LiFePO4 batteries. It forms the basis of a basic DIY solar panel setup that you can use to power devices in a vehicle or off-grid system.
First, let’s quickly run through the wiring diagram and understand the important parts of it.
Now that you understand the basics of how charging LiFePO4 batteries with solar panels works, it’s time to start building.
First, put the fuse in the fuse holder. Then connect the fuse cable to the fuse holder. Use a wrench or ratchet to tighten the bolts, if needed.
Connect the positive battery cable to the other end of the fuse holder.
Just like that, your positive battery cable is properly fused. Hooray for safety!
Locate the battery terminals on your charge controller. They''ll usually be labeled with a battery icon or the word "BAT" or "BATT."
Connect the positive battery cable to the charge controller’s positive battery terminal. For most charge controllers, you use a screwdriver do this. Open the correct terminal on the charge controller with the screwdriver, insert the stripped end of the wire, then screw the terminal shut.
Connect the negative battery cable to the charge controller’s negative battery terminal.
Connect the positive battery cable to the positive terminal on your LiFePO4 battery. To do so, simply unscrew the bolt on the battery’s positive terminal, slide the cable’s ring terminal onto the bolt, then re-screw the bolt to the terminal.
Connect the negative battery cable to the negative terminal on your LiFePO4 battery.
Look at your charge controller for an indication that it’s powered on. Your lithium battery and charge controller are now connected, so your charge controller should automatically turn on. If it has a screen, the screen should turn on and start displaying system specs like battery voltage. If it doesn’t have a screen, it should have LED indicator lights that turn on or start blinking.
If your charge controller has turned on, your battery and charge controller are now connected. Aww yeah!
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