A lead acid battery can become overcharged when connected for too long once it receives a full charge. A charger meant for a lithium battery is designed to prevent this from happening when the battery is at full charge. Can a lithium battery be charged with a lead-acid Charger?
Lithium batteries are not like lead acid and not all battery chargers are the same. A 12v lithium LiFePO4 battery fully charged to 100% will hold voltage around 13.3-13.4v. Its lead acid cousin will be approx 12.6-12.7v. A lithium battery at 20% capacity will hold voltage around 13V, its lead acid cousin will be approx 11.8v at the same capacity.
Yes, using a lead acid charger to charge a lithium battery can void the battery’s warranty. Manufacturers specify the use of compatible chargers for their lithium batteries, and using an incompatible charger can be considered misuse or negligence, which may void any warranty claims.
Based on return information, the charger then determines what charge phase to start in. Because lithium will hold voltage above 13+v, some lead acid chargers will see this as a near full battery and enter into a float stage and bypass the charge stage all together.
Choosing the Right Charger for Lead-Acid Batteries The most important first step in charging a lead-acid battery is selecting the correct charger. Lead-acid batteries come in different types, including flooded (wet), absorbed glass mat (AGM), and gel batteries. Each type has specific charging requirements regarding voltage and current levels.
This means that lithium-ion battery chargers are more efficient and can charge faster than lead-acid battery chargers. In terms of safety, lithium-ion battery chargers often have built-in protection against overcharging and overheating, while lead-acid battery chargers typically have a built-in thermal sensor to detect overheating.