Finally! After quite a few delays it’s here, and in stock: the first batch of our brand new Phoenix Smart Charger series. It’s available for both 12V and 24V battery banks. The complete line-up includes six variations – let’s take a closer look and see what’s new.

• It has the familiar adaptive Victron charge algorithm – providing optimal care for batteries.
• Bluetooth Smart – monitor and change settings from your phone, tablet or smart device.
• IP43 enclosed – protected against water spray.
• Configurable charge parameters.
• Suitable for Li-ion & Lead Acid batteries.
• Can charge three battery banks simultaneously – full output to each bank.
• Alarm relay & Remote on/off.
• VE.Direct port for connection to a GX Device.

The Phoenix Smart Charger is available for both 12V and 24V installations.  There are two 12V models: one has a 30 Amp output – the other 50 Amps. For the 24V models it’s 16 Amps or 25 Amps. Each of these can be ordered with a two- or a three-output configuration. For full details, download the Datasheet on our website.

The two-output configuration provides full rated-power to one outlet, and up to 3 Amps to the second outlet – ideal for maintaining a starter battery, for example. The three-output configuration can provide full power to each outlet – allowing you to charge up to three separate banks of batteries simultaneously.

The AC inlet cable needs to be ordered separately, there are three types available – for Australia; for New Zealand; and a third for Europe and the UK.

VictronConnect: configure and monitor

A Bluetooth-enabled smart phone, tablet or other device can be used to monitor, change settings, and to update the charger whenever new software features become available:

For a preview of this app download  VictronConnect and click on Phoenix Smart Charger in the  ‘Demo Library’. There you can check out all the settings available.

Intelligent charge algorithm

Phoenix Smart chargers have all the Victron features which help ensure long battery life and optimal charging:

• Adaptive 5-stage charge algorithm: bulk – absorption – recondition – float – storage. The Phoenix Smart Charger features our well-known ‘adaptive’ battery management system which can be preset for different types of batteries. The ‘adaptive’ feature automatically optimises the charge process according to the way the battery is being used.
• BatterySafe: when selecting a high charge-current for rapid recharging, Phoenix Smart Charger protects your battery from ‘gassing’ (and resultant loss of electrolyte) by automatically limiting the rate of voltage increase once the gassing voltage has been reached.  You can see the difference in the two graphs below. The left graph shows a normal sequence, without BatterySafe. The right graph shows the sequence with BatterySafe. Notice the white arrows. The difference is the reduced speed of voltage-rise – once 14.4V has been reached.

• Storage mode: when batteries are left ‘on charge’ but idle for long periods they can be damaged by overcharging. The positive plates corrode – which accelerates ageing. Also, the electrolyte will gradually boil off into gas leaving the cell dry and no longer able to function. To prevent that, Victron chargers enter ‘Storage mode’ whenever the battery has been idle for 24 hours. In Storage mode the charging voltage is reduced to 13.2V (for a 12V battery) – well below the gassing voltage. This charge voltage, however, will be increased to (usually) 14.4V for one hour per week, in order to prevent sulphation, and stratification (whereby the electrolyte becomes more concentrated at the bottom and more dilute at the top).

Paralleling and Smart Battery Sense?

Although these features are not available at the time of writing, they will be enabled by a free firmware update, later in 2019.

Applications

Typical applications for the Phoenix Smart Charger will be in Boat or Camper van installations.  Phoenix Smart Charger can also be used as a power source. Set the output voltage with your Bluetooth-enabled device.

Justin Tyers