Does the “constant voltage” mode means it essentially stops charging when the LifePo4 battery is full? May I leave it connected to the battery while I use the battery?
How Constant Voltage (CV) Works When Full
During the initial phase (Constant Current / CC), the charger outputs a steady selected amperage (2A, 4A, or 8A) while the battery voltage rises. Once the battery voltage reaches ~12 volt, the charger switches to the Constant Voltage (CV) phase. The charger holds the voltage steady at 12V. As the battery cells reach maximum saturation, the current (amperage) naturally tapers down toward nearly zero amps. Once the current drops to minimal levels, the battery is 100% charged. It essentially stops accepting power, making overcharging practically impossible.
Using the Battery While Connected to the Charger
You can leave the charger connected to the battery while using your connected devices or radios. Charger acts as a power supply: The charger will detect the voltage drop or current draw and dynamically output current to power your load while keeping the battery topped off. Phase switching: If your load pulls significant power, the charger’s LED may switch back from Green (CV) to Red (CC). This just means the charger is actively boosting output to carry the load and maintain the battery charge.
Safety & Usage Tip:
Although LiFePO4 batteries have a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) to protect against over-voltage, you don’t need to leave the charger powered indefinitely when the battery won’t be used for weeks or months. For long-term storage, it’s best practice to disconnect the power supply and store batteries at around 50–70% state of charge.