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Drift Leisure Batteries Q&A

How do I charge my Drift battery?

You can charge your Drift Leisure battery in a number of ways;

  • Using a multi-stage LiFePO4 mains charger
  • Using Solar panels and an MPPT controller
  • As part of a B2B or DC-DC charger set-up

The recommended voltage for charging a lithium leisure battery is between 13.5V - 13.8V Float to 14.2v - 14.4V Bulk.

We recommend Victron equipment is set to a Float of 13.5V and 14.2V Bulk.

Going above this range for significant periods of time can damage the battery. The current level during charging is also important. Charging a lithium battery at a current level that is too high can shorten its lifespan or even cause it to overheat and catch fire. 

The recommended charging current for a lithium leisure battery is typically around 20-30% of the battery's capacity. For example, if the battery has a capacity of 100Ah, the recommended charging current would be around 20-30 amps. We have designed a range of Fogstar Drift chargers to work in cohesion with our battery range, you will find these here. 

Can I series and parallel connect the batteries?

Yes, we modified the JBD BMS at the manufacturing stage to add series and parallel support up to four in parallel and four in series for all 12V variants. 24V batteries can be connected up to four in parallel and two in series. 

What size terminals/posts are the Fogstar Drift Leisure batteries? 

The Fogstar Drift terminals are all M8 in size, 1.25 pitch, 12mm. All of our Drift Leisure batteries come with bolts and terminal posts as standard. The recommended Torque is 4Nm.

I’m confused about the point that the heaters kick in on them, I've seen the cells as low as -2.5°c?
You can safely discharge a LiFePO4 battery down to -20°c degrees with no issues, the JBD BMS is set to allow this. The issue is charging the battery, as this can cause damage if done under 0°c.

The Drift heating pads are only activated when the battery is being charged, and are only powered by the incoming charge current, not the battery itself.

If you put the battery on charge, it will heat the battery first, and then allow current through to the battery when the temperature is safe enough to do so. 

What are the charging parameters of your lithium leisure batteries?

12V = 14.2V Bulk/13.6V Float

24V = 28.8V Bulk/27.2V Float

48V = 57.6V Bulk/54.4V Float

Is it possible to connect your leisure batteries in parallel if they are different capacities e.g. connecting a 105Ah in parallel with a 280Ah?

No, all batteries connected in series and/or parallel must be the same capacity rating, same make and same model.

If you look at the specification sheets for these products, you will see quite a difference in the maximum continuous discharge. The 105ah has a maximum continuous discharge of 100A, and the other variants of Drift have a maximum continuous discharge of 200A.

The Drift and Drift PRO leisure batteries also have contain different BMS. It is important not to connect these together in any circumstance. 

Where can I sign-up to register my Fogstar Drift Warranty?

You can register your 10 year Fogstar Drift Warranty at https://www.fogstar-drift.co.uk/pages/warranty-registration. If you have multiple Drifts, please register them individually.

Where can I find a manual for my Drift Battery?

There is a full version of the Drift manual on the website here.

Can I lay my Drift on its side?

Yes, your Drift battery can be lay on its side, in fact, you can lie a Drift battery in any configuration you wish. All we recommend is that you keep the terminals clear and clean.

Can I use a gel charger to charge my Fogstar Drift Leisure Battery?

Most lead-acid battery chargers will do the job just fine. Lithium leisure batteries have a terminal voltage very similar to that of other Lead Acid variants, such as Wet, Gel and AGM. The core charging parameters for the Drift are 13.5V - 13.8V Float to 14.2v - 14.4V Bulk.

What settings should I use on my charger?
You can normally find the correct settings on the charger User Manual. Generally we advise the following;

Absorption voltage: 14.2v - 14.4v
Float Voltage: 13.5v - 13.8v
Conditioning Voltage: 13.8v
Absorption Time: The recommended settings for LiFePO4 batteries is half an hour per 100ah of LiFePO4 battery.

Most chargers have profiles for various different battery parameters (Lead Acid/AGM), you should choose one that fits as close as possible to 13.5V - 13.8V Float and 14.2v - 14.4V Bulk. 

What settings should I use on my Victron equipment?

Most Victron chargers have a dedicated Lithium setting - you are fine to set the battery to this. However, if you would like to personalise your settings, please use the following;

Absorption voltage: 14.2V
Absorption time: The recommended setting is half an hour per 100ah of LiFePO4 battery (for example if you have x2 105ah batteries select 1 hour).
Float Voltage: 13.5V
Equalisation voltage: 14.2V (you do not need to equalise Lithium, so you can turn this off, but in-case it ever runs a cycle the batteries will be ok at this voltage).
Temperature compensation: should be disabled on Lithium batteries.
Charged Voltage: This is where your battery is considered fully charged - Lithium batteries should be set to 14.2V for Victron equipment.
Low Temperature cut-off: The Drift batteries have low temperature charging protection built into the battery. You can leave this off.
Discharge Floor: 0%
Tail Current: This is the minimum current at which the Smart Shunt considers charging or discharging finished. We recommend 4%.
Peukert Exponent: Not required - this is for Lead Acid batteries.

Battery Alerts

Low Temperature Charging

The battery has detected that you are trying to charge whilst the temperature is around 0°C. This warning is normal, and it is used to trigger the heating pads in your battery. Incoming charge current will heat the pads first, and then the battery will allow charge through when it reaches 5°C.

High Temperature Discharging (OTD)

The battery has detected that you are trying to discharge whilst the internal temperature is above 75°C. Discharging has been disabled until the temperature falls within an acceptable range.

Low Temperature Discharging (UTD)

The battery has detected that you are trying to discharge whilst the temperature is below -20°C. Discharging has been disabled.

Pack Over-Voltage (POV)

The total voltage of the pack has exceeded the maximum voltage. The BMS has turned off charging so that you do not overcharge the battery. Please discharge the battery.

Pack Under-Voltage (PUV)

The total voltage of the pack has reached the minimum allowed voltage. Discharge has been disabled. Please charge the battery.

Short Circuit (SCD)

A short circuit has been detected, and the BMS has protected you, and your battery. Please stop using the battery, and check your system thoroughly for anywhere a short circuit could have occurred. This could also be caused by an extremely large inverter charging its capacitors. If this is the case, disconnect the load and use a pre-charge resistor.

Over Current Charging (OCC)

You have exceeded the 200A charging limit. The BMS has disabled charging.

Over Current Discharging (OCD)

You have exceeded the 200A discharging limit. The BMS has disabled discharging.

Cell Under-Voltage (CUV)

A cell has hit the minimum voltage and the BMS has disabled discharging to protect the cell. Please charge the battery.

High Temperature Charging (OTC)

The battery has detected that you are trying to charge whilst the internal temperature is above 55°C. Charging has been disabled until the temperature falls within an acceptable range.


Check out some of our blogs which may answer further questions you have on the Drift range: