Choosing A Battery Charger For Your Application

Victron energy have a vast range of battery chargers, most popular being the IP22, IP65 & IP67 Bluesmart battery chargers. These chargers are named after their protection category. All the Bluesmart chargers have built-in Bluetooth connectivity, so you can monitor voltage and current, change settings and update the charger when new features become available via the VictronConnect App. Below are some of the main features of the chargers, helping to decide when choosing a charger for your application. All are backed by Victron Energy’s 5 Year Warranty. If you need any product advice, please feel free to call Energy Connections on (03) 5941 4240 or send an enquiry through via our contact us page.

The BlueSmart IP22 charger: 

Models:12V 15/20/30A, 24V/16A

The Blue Smart IP22 Charger is the professional battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.

VE.Smart Networking

The VE.Smart Network is a wireless device to device (D2D) communication network between Victron products, using Bluetooth Smart. * The VE.Smart Network feature is enabled on all IP22 chargers with serial number HQ2024xxxxx and later.

Synchronized parallel charging

 Synchronize up to ten battery chargers in a VE.Smart network to make them charge a battery as if they were one large charger. The chargers will synchronize the charge algorithm between them. They will simultaneously switch from one charge state to another, for example from bulk to absorption. Synchronized parallel charging has several interesting advantages:

• Redundancy: if one charger stops for whatever reason, the other chargers will continue to operate.
• Flexibility: simply add a charger to the network if more current is needed.
• Cost: several low power chargers will in general cost less than one high power charger.
• Installation: several low power chargers may be easier to fit in a confined space.

Unlike other brands, the Blue Smart IP22 Charger will attempt to recharge a deeply-discharged battery by force-feeding it with a low current. Normal charging will then be resumed as soon as there is sufficient voltage across the battery terminals.

Adaptive 6-stage charge algorithm: test - bulk – absorption - recondition – float – storage

The Blue Smart Charger features a microprocessor controlled ‘adaptive’ battery management. The adaptive feature will automatically optimize the charging process relative to the way the battery is being used.

Also charges Li-ion batteries. Li-ion batteries are charged with a simple bulk – absorption – float algorithm.

To Suit:

• Smart Battery Sense:  Enables temperature and voltage compensated charging.
• BMV 712 Battery Monitor or Smartshunt: enables temperature and voltage compensated charging. The battery charge current information can for example be used to switch from absorption charging to float charging at a set battery tail current.
• Complete Cable Kit (made in house)

 

The BlueSmart IP65 charger:

Models: 6V/12V 1.1A, 12V 4/5/7/10/15/25A, 24V 5/8/13A

The Blue Smart IP65 Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans. The IP65 protection rating means the battery charger is Water, dust, and chemical resistant.

Please see charger guide below

 

Unlike other brands, the Blue Smart IP65 Charger will attempt to recharge a deeply-discharged battery by force-feeding it with a low current. Normal charging will then be resumed as soon as there is sufficient voltage across the battery terminals.

The seven-step charging algorithm gets the best out of your battery. The charger gives the battery the power it needs, maintains its health, ensures better performance... and a longer life. Li-ion battery mode The Blue Smart IP65 Charger uses a specific charging algorithm for Li-ion (LiFePO₄) batteries, with automatic Li-ion under voltage protection reset.

The Blue Smart IP65 is equipped with built-in Bluetooth, so the status of the charger and the battery can be checked on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. All settings of the charger can be configured with the VictronConnect app.

The Bluesmart IP65 charger has a big range of add on accessories sold separately.

Included: Clamps & M8 eyelets. The charger comes with both crocodile clips and M8 eyelets - making it easy to connect to the battery. If you wish, you can leave it permanently connected.

Optional (sold separately):

• Fused clamps
• Fused M6 or M8 eyelets
• Extension cable 2m
• Autoplug
• Magcode power clip 12V
• MagCode power port
• Battery indicator panel
• Battery indicator eyelet
• Wall Mount
• Rubber bumper
• Carry case for charger & accessories Standard & to Suit 12/25 &24/13 Models.

 

The BlueSmart IP67 charger:

 

The Blue Smart IP67 Waterproof Charger is the professional battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as (classic) cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.

Models: 12V 7/13/17/25A, 24V 5/8/12A

The Blue Smart IP67 Charger is the wireless solution to monitor voltage and current, to change settings and to update the charger when new features become available. With Bluetooth, the functionality of the IP67 charger is enhanced and is similar to the IP22 and IP65 chargers.

Completely encapsulated: waterproof, shockproof and ignition protected Water, oil or dirt will not damage the Blue Smart IP67 Charger. The casing is made of cast aluminium and the electronics are moulded in resin.

The highest efficiency ever! Setting a new industry standard: with 92% efficiency or better, these chargers waste three to four times less heat. And once the battery is fully charged, power consumption reduces to less than a Watt, some five to ten times better than the industry standard.

Adaptive 5-stage charge algorithm: bulk – absorption – recondition – float – storage The Blue Smart Charger features a microprocessor controlled ‘adaptive’ battery management. The ‘adaptive’ feature will automatically optimise the charging process relative to the way the battery is being used.

Also charges Li-ion batteries. Li-ion batteries are charged with a simple bulk – absorption – float algorithm.

Blue Smart IP67 Charger Waterproof is equipped with built-in Bluetooth, so the status of the charger and the battery can be checked on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. All settings of the charger can be configured with the VictronConnect app.