I see many people online talking about using a cc/cv buck or boost converter in order to limit the current when charging 12v Lifepo4 Batteries using a car alternator...
What I don't understand is normally when using such a device, the voltage input must be slightly higher or lower then the target output voltage.
But a 12v lifep04 battery is fully charged at 13.8v the same as a car lead acid battery. The car alternator is also only outputing 13.8v also... So how would you use a buck or boost converter to fully charge the battery?
Now granted it's better off to normally not completely fully charge lifep04 batteries since it will greatly increase their lifespan. But as far as I remember a buck or boost converter needs a voltage higher or lower usually by a couple of volts correct? If so that's way to much of a difference...
Now I do know that obviously the best solution for this is to just use a dedicated DC to DC charger that is designed for this application. But they are normally fairly expensive.
But I see tons of people online talking about doing it this way. And they're normally just using those large red 1500 boost converters. (photo below)
What I don't understand is normally when using such a device, the voltage input must be slightly higher or lower then the target output voltage.
But a 12v lifep04 battery is fully charged at 13.8v the same as a car lead acid battery. The car alternator is also only outputing 13.8v also... So how would you use a buck or boost converter to fully charge the battery?
Now granted it's better off to normally not completely fully charge lifep04 batteries since it will greatly increase their lifespan. But as far as I remember a buck or boost converter needs a voltage higher or lower usually by a couple of volts correct? If so that's way to much of a difference...
Now I do know that obviously the best solution for this is to just use a dedicated DC to DC charger that is designed for this application. But they are normally fairly expensive.
But I see tons of people online talking about doing it this way. And they're normally just using those large red 1500 boost converters. (photo below)