Victron Smart IP43 battery charger 48/13(1) 120-240V | PSC481350095

Smart IP43 battery charger 48/13(1) / 120 - 240V - Charging from a battery bank

48V | Lead-acid, AGM, gel and LiFePO4 | VE.Smart Networking | Bluetooth | VE.Smart Networking - Synchronised charging

With the new 48V battery charger, Victron is expanding its previous range of 12V and 24V chargers and now covers a broader spectrum of common on-board voltages.

You need a 48V battery charger wherever batteries or battery systems with a nominal voltage of 48 volts are used. This voltage level has become established in many modern applications, as it enables higher power transmission at lower currents - which leads to less heat loss, reduced cable cross-sections and therefore also to a reduction in weight.

The areas of application are diverse: 48V technology is becoming increasingly popular in modern campers and motorhomes, replacing the classic 12V system - especially where power-hungry devices need to be supplied reliably and efficiently. 48V is also becoming increasingly important in the sailing industry: many sailing yachts now rely on 48V systems to operate electric outboards or pod drives - whether for precise harbour manoeuvres or for bridging lulls. In addition, 48V is often used in golf carts or cleaning machines, as well as in off-grid solar systems and energy storage systems in which several battery cells are connected in series to achieve higher voltages and larger capacities or 48V battery storage systems are used.

If you are operating or planning a 48V system, a charger designed for 48V is absolutely essential - because standard 12V or 24V chargers do not provide the required voltage or the appropriate charging characteristics for a safe and efficient charging process.

We would be happy to support you in planning your project - whether you are setting up a new 48V system or expanding and extending your existing system. We look forward to hearing from you.

Note: A mains cable is not included in the scope of delivery and must be ordered separately.

Is the Smart IP43 charger compatible with lithium batteries?

Yes - it is fully compatible with LiFePO₄ lithium-ion batteries. Activate the integrated LI-ION charging mode and the charger automatically adapts the charging cycle settings to the specific requirements of the lithium battery.

Particularly practical: If the low-voltage protection of a battery has been triggered, the Smart IP43 reliably recognises this condition, automatically resets the protection and immediately starts the charging process - a capability that many conventional chargers do not offer.

Caution: Never charge lithium-ion batteries if their temperature is below 0°C. If the battery has an integrated heater, charging is of course possible after the heater supplied by the charging current has warmed the battery to above 0°C.

The LEDs (see illustration) indicate the active charge status. Alternatively, a Bluetooth-enabled device (mobile phone or tablet) with the VictronConnect app can be used to display the active state of charge.

What does temperature compensation mean with the Smart IP43 battery charger?

This means that the nominal/configured charging voltage is automatically optimised depending on the ambient temperature (except in lithium-ion mode or when manually deactivated). During switch-on, the charger measures its internal temperature and uses this temperature as a reference for temperature compensation. However, the initial temperature measurement is limited to 25°C, as it is not known whether the charger is still warm from previous operation.

For more accurate temperature compensation, the battery temperature data can be obtained from a compatible battery monitor (such as a BMV, SmartShunt, Smart Battery Sense or VE.Bus Smart Dongle) via VE.Smart Networking.

Possibilities of the Smart IP43 battery charger through VE.Smart Network

VE.Smart Networking is a wireless Bluetooth communication network that intelligently connects compatible Victron devices with each other, enabling precise, harmonised collaboration.

The VE.Smart Networking function allows multiple chargers to be synchronised and operated in a coordinated manner. At the same time, precise measurement data on battery voltage, charging current and battery temperature can be received from a compatible battery monitor - such as a BMV, SmartShunt, Smart Battery Sense or VE.Bus Smart Dongle - to further optimise the charging process and charge the battery even more gently and efficiently.

Synchronised charging with the VE.Smart network

With the synchronised charging function, several compatible chargers can be combined in a common VE.Smart network so that the chargers can be used together as one large charger. The chargers synchronise the charging algorithm with each other without the need for additional hardware or physical connections and change the charging status at the same time.

With synchronised charging, all chargers are systematically prioritised and one device is defined as the "master". This device then controls the charging level of all other "slave" chargers. If the original "master" is disconnected from the VE.Smart network for any reason (e.g. out of Bluetooth range), another charger is systematically assigned as "master" and takes over control. This can also be cancelled.

The current output is not regulated during synchronised charging of several chargers and there is no cell equalisation. Each charger still has complete control over its own current output. If limiting the total current output of the system is important, you should use a GX device such as the Cerbo GX MK2 with DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control) instead of the VE.Smart network.

Synchronised charging can be set up with different types of chargers as long as they are compatible with the VE.Smart network (this includes compatible Blue Smart IP22 chargers, Smart IP43 chargers and SmartSolar MPPT solar chargers).

VE.Direct interface on the Smart IP43 battery charger

The battery charger can be fully integrated into a GX device (e.g. the Cerbo GX MK2 or the Ekrano GX) via the VE.Direct interface. This allows the system to be monitored and controlled from a single device. In addition, the GX device, which must be connected to the internet, provides access to the free Victron VRM portal (Victron Remote Monitoring) for data logging and remote access to real-time monitoring and control of the charger. With the free VRM app, you can monitor and control your system remotely via the internet from anywhere in the world. It can be accessed via a phone, tablet, laptop or PC with a wide range of operating systems.

How reliable is the Smart IP43 charger?

The Smart IP43 battery charger has been developed for years of trouble-free operation under all operating conditions and offers comprehensive protective functionsthat safeguard both the device and the battery.

When ambient temperatures rise above 40°C, the output current is automatically and continuously reduced - from 100% at 40°C to 25% at 60°C - to reliably prevent overheating. If a short circuit is detected at the output, the charger switches off immediately to protect the entire system. Reverse polarity protection is also integrated: If the charger is accidentally connected to the battery incorrectly, an internal fuse trips, preventing damage to the device and the battery.

Scope of delivery

• Victron Smart IP43 battery charger 48/13(1) 120-240V | PSC481350095
• Of course, you can also obtain an operating manual in German from us in the download area.

Victron manufacturer's warranty

• Lithium batteries: 3-year manufacturer's warranty
• Lead/gel/AGM batteries: 2-year manufacturer's warranty
• All other products: 5-year manufacturer's warranty, extendable to 10 years

Further helpful tips can be found in our FAQ questions/answers page under the following FAQ link .

Smart IP43 battery charger 48/13(1) 120-240V

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