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The best way to charge lithium ion battery cells is with a charger made for lithium-ion cells, set to the battery voltage, with the battery in view while it charges. The listings in this guide show the range, from a small AA charger to a 12V and 24V maintainer, and the sections below walk through matching the charger, the mode and the battery.
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The quick answer: best way to charge lithium ion battery
Use a charger that lists lithium-ion support and matches the battery voltage. The Victron Blue Smart IP22 is a 12V 30A charger that charges Li-ion batteries with a bulk, absorption and float algorithm, and it is certified to UL1236. The Haisito is a 20A charger for 12V and 24V batteries that lists lithium and LiFePO4 among the chemistries it charges, with a large LCD display and fully automatic operation. The EBL is an 8-slot charger for AA and AAA cells, including 1.5V lithium rechargeable batteries, with a Type-C input. Pick the charger whose voltage and cell type match the battery, and use its lithium mode.
Match the charger to the battery
Voltage comes first. The Victron is a 12V 30A charger for 12V batteries, including lithium and deep cycle types. The Haisito covers 12V and 24V at a 20A maximum output, and it charges batteries from 10Ah to 200Ah, including lithium, LiFePO4, AGM, lead-acid, gel and deep cycle types. The EBL works (on Amazon) at a different scale: 8 independent slots for AA and AAA cells, charging 1 to 8 batteries at once, with support for 1.2V Ni-MH and Ni-Cd cells and 1.5V lithium rechargeable batteries. A 12V charger does not suit a 24V battery, and a small-cell charger does not suit a 12V battery, so read the voltage on the charger and on the battery before you connect them.
| Charger | Output | Suits | Protection stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victron Blue Smart IP22 | 12V 30A | Li-ion, deep cycle | Adaptive management, UL1236 |
| Haisito 20A | 12V and 24V, 20A max | Lithium, LiFePO4, AGM, gel, deep cycle | Overcharge protection, LCD |
| EBL 8-slot | Type-C, 1.5V lithium | AA and AAA Ni-MH, 1.5V lithium | Smart chip, defect detection |
Use the lithium mode
A lithium battery charges in stages, and the charger must follow them. The Victron charges Li-ion batteries with a bulk, absorption and float algorithm, managed by a microprocessor that adapts to battery use, and it claims up to 94% efficiency with up to 4 times less heat than the industry standard. The Haisito runs fully automatic, with an LCD that shows charging status and battery health, and it stops on its own when the battery is full. The EBL also stops charging automatically when batteries are full, and its smart chip protects against overcharging, overheating, overcurrent, overvoltage and short circuits. Set the charger to the lithium mode for the battery you have, and do not use a lead-acid-only charger on a lithium battery, since the charge profile differs.
Watch the indicators and the battery
Indicators tell you what the charger is doing. The EBL shows solid green when fully charged, solid red while charging, and flashing red when it detects a non-rechargeable or damaged battery, and it checks for damaged or leak-prone batteries on its own. The Haisito shows charging status and battery health on its large LCD display. The Victron monitors voltage and current over Bluetooth, and lets you change settings from the app. The Haisito also offers a pulse repair mode for a battery that has sat idle or lost charge, but the listing is clear about its limits: it cannot activate a dead battery or repair a seriously damaged battery, and it cannot restore a battery to 100% new. Watch the battery while it charges, and stop if it swells, leaks or grows hot.
Ways to charge safely
- Match the voltage: 12V on the Victron, 12V and 24V on the Haisito, 1.5V lithium cells on the EBL.
- Use the lithium mode: bulk, absorption and float on the Victron, fully automatic on the Haisito, auto-stop on the EBL.
- Watch the indicators: green for full and red for charging on the EBL, the LCD on the Haisito, Bluetooth on the Victron.
- Respect the repair limits: the Haisito pulse repair cannot activate a dead battery or restore one to 100% new.
- Charge where you can see the battery, and stop if it swells, leaks or grows hot.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Can I charge a lithium-ion battery with any charger?
No. Use a charger that lists lithium-ion support: the Victron lists Li-ion charging with a bulk, absorption and float algorithm, and the Haisito lists lithium and LiFePO4 among the chemistries it charges.
What voltage charger do I need for a 12V lithium battery?
A 12V charger. The Victron is a 12V 30A charger, and the Haisito covers 12V and 24V at a 20A maximum output.
Can a charger fix a dead lithium battery?
No, not on these listings. The Haisito pulse repair mode cannot activate a dead battery or repair a seriously damaged battery, and it cannot restore a battery to 100% new.
How do I know when the battery is full?
The EBL charger shows solid green when fully charged and solid red while charging, the Haisito shows charging status on its LCD, and the Victron shows voltage and current over Bluetooth.
Related solar guides
See every Batteries and Charging guide and all LiFePO4 Batteries guides. Also see our lifepo4 vs lithium ion battery for solar and best lifepo4 battery charger for boat.
