LiFePo – Ostrich blog https://ostrich.kyiv.ua Sun, 02 Nov 2025 19:53:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://ostrich.kyiv.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ostrich-150x150.png LiFePo – Ostrich blog https://ostrich.kyiv.ua 32 32 Review of GaN charger for LiFePo batteries https://ostrich.kyiv.ua/en/2025/11/02/review-of-gan-charger-for-lifepo-batteries/ https://ostrich.kyiv.ua/en/2025/11/02/review-of-gan-charger-for-lifepo-batteries/#respond Sun, 02 Nov 2025 19:53:00 +0000 https://ostrich.kyiv.ua/?p=1762

When choosing a powerful charger in a compact form factor, it’s worth paying attention to GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology. Today, there are many GaN-based chargers on the market, but most of them are USB-type devices designed for portable electronics.

In this article, I’ll review a high-power GaN charger intended specifically for LiFePO4 batteries.

Introduction

To charge an external LiFePO₄ battery while also powering other devices, a relatively powerful charger is required. When you add the limitations of space and ventilation, the physical size of the charger becomes an important factor.

Because of these constraints, I’ve tested quite a few different chargers, but unfortunately, I had to keep searching due to poor quality or inaccurate specifications. My goal was to find a compact yet reliable unit that delivers the declared performance.

Choosing a GaN Charger

Recently, I spoke with a specialist in electronic components who recommended me to look into GaN chargers. After exploring available options, I discovered that most GaN devices on the market are designed for smartphones, tablets, and sometimes laptops – not for direct battery charging.
As it turned out, high-power GaN chargers are quite rare and mostly produced by a few Chinese manufacturers. One of these companies is SHENZHEN GREEN DIGITAL POWER TECH CO., LTD, also known under the brand GREEN.

This manufacturer offers a wide range of chargers for different applications. I focused on two series: GaN065 and GaN085.

  • GaN065-072050: 7.2V 5.0A, suit 2s LFP 5~50Ah
  • GaN065-144033: 14.4V 3.3A, suit 4s LFP 3~33Ah
  • GaN065-180029: 18.0V 2.9A, suit 5s LFP 2~29Ah
  • GaN065-216024: 21.6V 2.4A, suit 6s LFP 2~24Ah
  • GaN065-288018, 28.8V 1.8A, suit 8s LFP 2~18Ah
  • GaN085-144050: 14.4V 5.0A, suit 4s LFP 5~50Ah
  • GaN085-216040, 21.6V 4.0A, suit 6s LFP 4~40Ah
  • GaN085-252030: 25.2V 3.0A, suit 7s LFP 3~30Ah
  • GaN065-288029, 28.8V 2.9A, suit 8s LFP 3~30Ah
  • GaN065-432020, 43.2V 2.0A, suit 12s LFP 2~20Ah

From this list, there were only two 14V models: GaN065-144033 and GaN085-144050.
I decided to sacrifice a slightly larger size and chose the 5A GaN085-144050. Even so, the body remains one of the smallest in its class.

Specifications

The main source of technical details is the manufacturer’s website: green-charger.com. The full product name is GaN085-144050 LiFePO4 Charger with Battery Fuel Gauge for 4Cells 12.8V Li-Fe Battery. Interestingly, neither the name nor the specification explicitly mentions GaN technology, although it is clearly used in design.

  • Input voltage: 100–240V AC
  • Output voltage & current: 14.4V 5.0A
  • Charging process: Pre-charge, CC, CV, and Cut-off
  • Indicator: 4 LEDs showing battery capacity from 25% to 100%
  • Protection: OVP, OCP, Short Circuit, Reverse Polarity
  • Certifications: CE, FCC
  • Dimensions: 114 × 68.4 × 29 mm
  • Weight: 250 g

Visually, the device fully matches the listed parameters. I verified the weight – exactly 250 grams, as stated. Hopefully, other parameters are equally accurate.

Purchase and Delivery

I arranged a direct purchase from ABT, a retail distributor of GREEN products, for a single unit shipped directly to Ukraine. The total cost was 180 RMB, which included the product and international shipping – around 20 USD at the time. That seemed quite fair, so I paid via AliPay and waited for shipment.

Five days later, I received a tracking number. The parcel was sent via 4PX Express, and within another 15 days, the charger finally arrived.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The charger arrived in a compact, well-padded box. Inside, the unit and power cord were sealed in a plastic bag, along with the seller’s business card.

Overall build quality appears solid and precise. The oval area on top is designed for branding – my unit is labeled GaN085, but I’ve seen identical housings marked HoneyCare. The manufacturer, however, remains the same.

On the back label, instead of the usual word “Charger”, it says “Power Unit”. Technically, that’s accurate – it is indeed a power unit, though specifically tailored for LiFePO4 batteries. The default connector is 5.5×2.5 mm, though custom connectors can be ordered directly from the factory.

Testing

Inside the box, the manufacturer included an individual factory test report showing key parameters and real measured values. The deviations were minimal, which left a positive impression.

Nevertheless, I decided to verify the charger’s behavior myself – particularly the output voltage and current. I connected it to a partially discharged battery through a portable tester.

As shown in the measurements, the charger delivered a steady 5A current at around 13.8V, which is an excellent result.

Because this is a smart charger, as the battery voltage rises, the current gradually decreases, transitioning smoothly from CC (constant current) to CV (constant voltage) mode. This charging curve helps preserve battery health and ensures accurate topping-off.

During operation at an ambient temperature of 20 °C, the tester showed about 30–32 °C, which is perfectly acceptable for continuous charging at 70 W. The power output is sufficient not only to charge the battery but also to simultaneously power other connected devices, making it a great option for rapid battery recovery after power outages.

Conclusions

The GaN085-144050 charger has proven to be a well-engineered, stable, and efficient solution for charging LiFePO₄ batteries.
Although the official documentation does not directly emphasize GaN technology, practical testing clearly demonstrates high efficiency, accurate voltage and current regulation, and minimal heat generation even under continuous operation. Despite its 70 W rating, the unit remains impressively compact – an important feature in confined spaces or enclosures with limited airflow.

During testing, the charger maintained excellent stability in both CC and CV modes, transitioning smoothly as the battery approached full charge. The output MOSFET switch provides smart control logic that disconnects the charging current automatically once full capacity is reached, preventing overcharging and extending battery lifespan.
This thoughtful design, combined with protective circuits (OVP, OCP, short-circuit, reverse polarity) and verified factory calibration, gives confidence in the product’s reliability.

In summary, the GaN085-144050 is an outstanding choice for those seeking a compact, safe, and high-efficiency charger for medium-capacity 4-cell LiFePO₄ batteries. It’s perfectly suited for backup power systems, portable field setups, or home energy units used during blackouts, where stable performance and reliability truly matter.

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