REDARC CORE BCDCN1225 DC Battery Charger
REDARC's BCDC Core 25A DC to DC In-Cabin Battery Charger is the next evolution of the legendary BCDC platform that has been powering off-grid adventures for over 10 years.
The BCDC Core is the perfect DC to DC charging solution for in-cabin, canopy, or battery box setups where dust and weatherproofing isn’t required. Each BCDC Core features REDARC’s tried and tested dual input DC charging tech plus an MPPT solar regulator and Green Power Priority all in the familiar and compact BCDC form factor. These features allow the BCDC Core to efficiently charge from both the alternator and solar simultaneously, ensuring maximum charge capacity no matter the situation.
Looking for a DC-DC Charger for an under bonnet installation? The REDARC BCDC Classic range in
25amp,
40amp and
50amp models could be what you're looking for.
Max Charge Efficiency
The BCDC Core features a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar regulator and
'Green Power Priority'. With these features the BCDC Core will charge from both solar and the alternator simultaneously, maximising its charge rate and minimising the load on your alternator, saving fuel.
Compact & Silent
With no loud fans or relays and a small form factor, the BCDC Core can be tucked away, leaving room in the cabin for more important things. Don't ruin the look of your interior with bulky electronics. Hide it under the rear floor, behind a side panel or under the seats and make your power set up look like it was meant to be there.
Lithium Ready
With chemistry specific charging profiles, including
lithium the BCDC Core ensures your batteries are ready for your next adventure. The award-winning technology in the BCDC Core has been independently verified and tested to ensure battery life is maximised, charging your battery to a proven 100%.*
For most applications, the BCDC Core 25A is suitable for battery bank sizes of 60-200AH for AGM and lead acid and up to 100AH for lithium. Check the manufacturer’s data for your battery and ensure that the ‘Continuous Current Rating’ of the charger does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended maximum charging current. For higher capacity needs of over 200AH, REDARC recommends the BCDC Core 40A.
*Large capacity battery banks may require a few cycles to fully charge.
Backed by the Best
The BCDC Core is designed, tested and manufactured in Australia and is backed by our leading technical support and national REDNetwork certified installer network.
If you’re heading out into the bush and want to get there and back again safely – you can trust REDARC.
Features
- Suitable for in-cabin and canopy installations only
- Compact form factor
- Simultaneous DC and solar charging with Green Power Priority
- Maximises the performance and life of your auxiliary battery
- Suits 12V/24V standard and variable voltage/smart alternators
- Suitable for AGM, GEL, standard lead acid, calcium and Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries
- Suitable for use on vehicles with conventional alternator charging systems
Click here to view the product flyer
What type of Lithium battery is the Thumper?
The Thumper is a Lithium LiFePO4 Prismatic battery.
Is the Thumper Lithium a Deep cycle?
Yes! The Thumper Lithium is designed to be continually charged and discharged fr the purposes of running all accessories, such as fridges, lighting, inverters and more.
What size Inverter can I run from the 100 AH / 120 AH Lithium?
Both the Thumper Lithium 100 AH & 120 AH have a continual discharge rate of 100Amps (1200watts). The batteries also have a MAX peak discharge of 300 Amps for 1-3 seconds (surge capacity).
This means that if you are using only one battery, then the maximum Inverter size that would successfully run on the Thumper 100 AH / 120 AH would be a 1200watt.
How many batteries do I need to run my Inverter?
150 watt Inverter ~ 1200 watt Inverter = 1 Battery
1201 watt Inverter ~ 2400 watt Inverter = 2 Batteries
2401 watt Inverter ~ 3600 watt Inverter = 3 Batteries
What would happen if I run over the 100 Amps discharge rating?
The Thumper Lithium is protected internally with a BMS (Battery Management System), meaning that it will protect the battery against overcharge / low voltage and excessive discharge drain.
Example: If you connect a 2000 watt Inverter (166Amp total draw) to the Thumper Lithium battery, then the battery would allow you to run UP TO 1200watts (100Amps) from the Inverter. If the draw exceeded this 100 Amps, then the BMS inside the battery would disconnect and cease providing power to your system.
Once the load has been disconnected from the battery, the BMS will reconnect itself within a few seconds and the battery will be ready to use again.
Can I mount the Lithium battery on its side?
Yes! The Lithium battery is completely sealed and is designed to allow you to mount on any side.
Do I need Lithium charger (240 Volt / DC charger)?
As with any Lithium battery, it is recommended (when possible) to use a lithium battery charger. Lithium Battery charger chargers charge the battery at a slightly higher voltage and run through compatible charging stages to suit the Lithium's chemistry. Charging your battery with a Lithium compatible charger will help to prolong the life of your Lithium battery by ensuring it is receiving a full rate of charge.
In stating the above, the Thumper Lithium range of batteries are designed to be able to charge from an AGM battery setting.
Can I use my portable solar panel on the Thumper Lithium Battery?
The Thumper Lithium is designed to charge from any system that is compatible to charge from either a Lithium or AGM setting.
Providing your solar regulator is designed to suit Lithium or AGM chemistry, then it would be perfectly suitable to charge from your portable solar panel.
The Thumper Lithium Battery will not charge from an unregulated panel as the internal BMS will disconnect any input charge that exceeds 15 Volts.
What is the life expectancy of the Thumper Lithium battery?
The Thumper Lithium is rated over cycles. A cycle is the process of charging and discharging the battery. The Thumper Lithium is rated to a minimum of 2000 cycles.
Can I wire the Thumper Lithium in Parallel?
Yes! Both the Thumper 100 AH & 120 AH are designed to be wired in parallel and are non-limited. This means you can build your 12 volt system as large as you desire with use of these batteries!
Can I link a Thumper Lithium 100 AH to a 120 AH ?
No. As the BSM is different in both the 100 AH and the 120 AH, it means the two batteries are not designed to be linked to one another.
Can I wire the Thumper Lithium in Series?
Wiring in series converts a 12 Volt battery into either a 24Volt / 36Volt or 48Volt system (depending on how it is wired)
The Thumper 100 AH is not designed to wire in series (only parallel)
The Thumper 120 AH runs a more sophisticated internal BMS, which makes it perfectly suited to run in series UP TO 48 Volts. This battery will allow you to build a 24 Volt / 36 Volt or 48 Volt system.
Can the Thumper Lithium Battery be used for starting purposes?
No.
What voltage is fully charged in a Lithium Battery?
Approx 13.2 ~ 13.4 Volts is 100% charged in a Lithium battery.
The use of a Lithium compatible gauge, such as the Victron SmartShunt, is recommended in order to accurately monitor the state of charge in a Lithium battery set up.
What voltage is FLAT in the Thumper Lithium Battery
Using voltage to monitor the state of charge in a lithium battery is unfortunately not accurate.
As the voltage in a lithium battery remains higher throughout the cycle life of the battery, it means that Thumper Lithium will read in the 12's when it is nearing the end of it's capacity. When the remaining capacity of the battery has been exhausted, the battery's BMS will disconnect and the battery will shut down.
Can I use a normal Volt meter to monitor my Lithium Battery set up?
The short answer to this is Yes, and No.
A voltage meter will provide you an 'indication' on the state of charge on a lithium battery. However, the slightest change in the digital reading of voltage can mean over 50% of your battery's capacity.
The most accurate method to monitor a lithium battery is by use of a gauge that will allow you to enter in the total capacity of the battery, then monitor the discharge taken from the battery, which will then provide you an estimate of remaining capacity. For example: The use of a Victron SmartShunt / BMV700 or BMV712
What does the 12.8V on the front of the battery represent? Much the same as
how a lead acid battery is configured, The Thumper lithium battery is constructed using a multiple of smaller cells linked internally.
The Thumper Lithium is built using a string of 4 x 3.2Volt cells, linked in series, to make up the 12.8Volt.
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AS/NZS 3001.2 | New regulation requirements:
The new regulations for lithium batteries require a few considerations when installing in caravans as of 15.11.2023. It is therefore recommended to take the following recommendation into consideration when installing:
Lithium batteries shall:
- Be installed externally, ie. Behind a wall, compartment or barrier that prevents the egress of gases into the habitable area; and
- Not enter the habitable area of the structure
In order to meet these requirements, it is recommended that lithium batteries be installed as follows:
- Open to the environment, taking into account a suitable IP rating and mechanical protection.
Or
- Located in a battery compartment that is sealed to the enclosed habitable space of the recreational vehicle.
A battery compartment that opens to the exterior should
- Open outward (to the exterior of the connectable electrical installation) and
- Be accessed from the exterior of the recreational vehicle
If access to the battery compartment is obtained from within the habitable space of the recreational vehicle the compartment must have the following:
- Fitted with openings that maintain a full seal from the enclosed habitable space of the recreational vehicle when in the closed/stored position
- Access to the compartment must only be possible by removing screws or using a prescribed tool.
- An adequate seal from the enclosed habitable space of the recreational vehicle must be restored and maintained after removal and replacement of the compartment opening.
Sealing of a battery compartment from the habitable space of the recreational vehicle must ensure the following:
- The construction of the compartment must prevent the ingress of any fumes or gases from entering the enclosed space of the habitable area.
- Any cable penetrations into the battery compartment must be sealed with suitable cable glands bulkhead posts or another form of non-combustible sealing.
- An annex is considered a habitable space of a recreational vehicle. Battery compartment openings should be located outside the expected enclosed space of an annex.
Note the definition of a recreational vehicle by Cambridge university is:
a large motor vehicle in which you can sleep and often cook, used for traveling and camping
This would include Caravan’s, motorhomes, camping trailers.