When it comes to charging batteries—whether for golf carts, electric vehicles, or portable electronics—two terms dominate the conversation: Constant Current (CC) and Constant Voltage (CV). These two phases are fundamental to smart battery chargers, especially for lithium and lead-acid batteries. But how exactly do they work, and why are they important?
1.What Is Constant Current Charging (CC)?
In the first stage of charging, the charger supplies a fixed current to the battery. During this phase, the battery voltage gradually increases while the current remains constant.
Why it matters:
- Fast, efficient charging
- Controlled temperature rise
- Ideal for deeply discharged batteries
For example: If you’re charging a 48V LiFePO₄ battery, the charger might output 20A consistently until the voltage reaches around 54.75V (23S pack).
2.What Is Constant Voltage Charging (CV)?
Once the battery reaches its target voltage, the charger switches to Constant Voltage mode. Here, the voltage is held steady while the current gradually decreases as the battery fills.
Benefits of CV phase:
- Prevents overcharging
- Safely tops off the battery
- Balances the cells
This is especially important in lithium-based systems that lack self-balancing behavior like lead-acid batteries.
3.CC/CV in Smart Chargers
Modern intelligent chargers use MCUs (Microcontroller Units) to automatically shift between CC and CV phases. They monitor voltage, current, temperature, and time to ensure charging is safe and optimized.
Bonus Tip: Premium golf cart chargers often combine CC/CV with features like temperature compensation, fan control, and communication protocols like CAN or RS485 for real-time data.
4.Why This Matters for Your Battery
- In lead-acid batteries: prevents sulfation and extends service life
- In LiFePO₄ batteries: ensures correct cutoff without overvoltage
- In AGM/Gel batteries: avoids drying out or damage
Understanding CC/CV helps you choose the right charger and avoid premature battery failure.
Our Smart Chargers: Optimized for Your Battery
Our intelligent chargers are designed to adapt to your battery’s specific requirements. Whether you’re using lead-acid or lithium batteries, our chargers:
- Automatically switch between CC and CV modes
- Support custom charging curves based on your battery specs
- Offer communication options like CAN or RS485
- Monitor temperature and adjust output in real-time
Perfect for golf carts, marine systems, mobility devices, and more. Learn more our smart battery charger collection.
