Product Specifications for Dakota Lithium Ultra Fast 12V 50A Waterproof LiFePO4 Onboard Battery Charger
| BM Part #: | DLCH-12V50-OB |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Dakota Lithium |
| Voltage: | 12 Volt |
| Charging Rate: | 50 Amp |
| Input Voltage: | 100-240 Volts |
| Length: | 11.06" |
| Width: | 3.46" |
| Height: | 5.71" |
| Shipping Weight: | 6.00Lbs |
| Warranty: | 60 Day Return |
- 50A Ultra-Fast Charging: Delivers 50 amps at 14.4V — the correct voltage for LiFePO4 batteries — to recharge large lithium battery banks in a fraction of the time a standard charger requires. Recommended for batteries with 100Ah capacity or more.
- Smart BMS Wake-Up Function: Communicates with Dakota Lithium's Battery Management System to restart a battery that has shut down due to a short circuit or over-discharge event — no manual reset or troubleshooting required.
- IP67 Waterproof and Aluminum Housing: Fully sealed against dust and temporary submersion, with a high-tensile aluminum case that dissipates heat efficiently for reliable performance in marine, RV, and outdoor installations.
- Anderson Plug Wiring Kit Included: Comes with a complete fast-charge Anderson plug and ring terminal kit for a clean, secure permanent connection to your battery — just plug in to charge, unplug when done.
- Universal AC Input: Accepts 100–240V input at 50/60Hz, making it compatible with standard shore power in the US and abroad without any adapters.
- Simple LED Status Indicator: Red light confirms active charging; green light signals a full battery. No app, no display to navigate — just clear, at-a-glance status.
Product Description
If you've invested in a large-capacity Dakota Lithium battery, a slow charger is the weakest link in your setup. The Dakota Lithium 12V 50A Ultra Fast Onboard Charger is built to match the performance level of the batteries it serves — pushing 50 amps at the correct 14.4V LiFePO4 charging profile to get you back to full capacity fast and keep your batteries healthy for the long run.
Fast Charging Without the Guesswork
At 50 amps, the math is simple: divide your battery's amp hour rating by 50 and that's roughly your charge time. A 135Ah battery charges in about 2.7 hours. A 320Ah battery comes in right around 6.4 hours. Even a large 560Ah bank can be fully recharged in just over 11 hours — a fraction of the time a standard 10A or 20A charger would require.
This charger is optimized for LiFePO4 batteries with 100Ah of capacity or more. It is not recommended for smaller batteries or lead-acid chemistries — the 50A output rate is simply too powerful for smaller or non-lithium battery banks and can cause damage. If you're running a large lithium setup in a boat, RV, overland vehicle, or off-grid system, this charger was built for exactly that application. Dakota Lithium particularly recommends it for the DL+ 12V 135Ah, DL+ 12V 320Ah, and DL+ 12V 560Ah batteries.
Smart BMS Communication
One of the more practical features on this charger is its ability to communicate with Dakota Lithium's Battery Management System. If a battery's BMS has shut down due to a short circuit or an excessive amp draw event, the charger can restart it — simply connect it to the battery and the charger will send the signal needed to wake the BMS back up and resume normal operation. No manual reset required, no troubleshooting needed.
The indicator light system keeps things simple on the surface too. A red light confirms the charger is actively charging. When the battery reaches full capacity, the light turns green. That's it.
Built for Permanent Installation
This is an onboard charger — one that's meant to live in your boat, RV, or vehicle rather than sit on a shelf in the garage. The housing is constructed from high-tensile aluminum, which dissipates heat efficiently during extended charging sessions and holds up to the physical demands of a permanent mount. At 11.06" long x 3.46" wide x 5.71" tall, it's compact enough to fit in tight compartments while still handling the thermal load of sustained 50A output.
The IP67 waterproof rating means this charger is sealed against dust and capable of withstanding temporary submersion — more than enough protection for marine bilge installations, wet storage compartments, or anything that sees regular water exposure.
Anderson Plug Wiring Kit Included
Getting connected is straightforward. The charger comes with a fast-charge Anderson plug wiring kit that includes ring terminals for both battery posts. Bolt the black ring terminal to the negative post and the red to the positive, and from there you simply plug in the charger when you need to charge and unplug when you're done. No alligator clips, no loose wires, no risk of accidental reversal. The Anderson connector makes it clean, repeatable, and safe every time.
The charger accepts a wide input voltage range of 100–240V at 50/60Hz, so it works with standard shore power in the US and internationally without any adapter or converter needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What batteries is this charger compatible with?
A: This charger is designed for 12V LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries with a capacity of 100 amp hours or more. The 50A output rate is too powerful for smaller batteries and can cause damage, so it should not be used with batteries under 100Ah. It is also not recommended for lead-acid, AGM, or SLA batteries. Dakota Lithium specifically recommends it for the DL+ 12V 135Ah, DL+ 12V 320Ah, and DL+ 12V 560Ah batteries.
How long will it take to charge my battery?
A: To estimate charge time, divide your battery's amp hour rating by 50. For example, a 135Ah battery will charge in approximately 2.7 hours, a 320Ah battery in about 6.4 hours, and a 560Ah battery in roughly 11.2 hours. These are estimates based on charging from a fully depleted state — if your battery has a partial charge remaining, the actual time will be shorter.
What does "onboard charger" mean, and how is it installed?
A: An onboard charger is designed for permanent or semi-permanent installation in a boat, RV, vehicle, or off-grid system, rather than portable use. The included Anderson plug wiring kit makes installation simple: bolt the ring terminals to your battery's positive and negative posts, route the Anderson plug to an accessible location, and plug the charger in when you need to charge. The IP67 waterproof rating and aluminum housing make it suitable for mounting in wet or exposed compartments, including marine bilge areas.
What does the Smart BMS communication feature do?
A: Dakota Lithium batteries include a Battery Management System (BMS) that automatically shuts the battery down if it detects a short circuit or an excessive amp draw. In that situation, the battery may appear completely dead. Connecting this charger to the battery sends a restart signal to the BMS, waking it back up and restoring normal function. It's a simple, automatic process — just connect the charger and it handles the rest.
Can I use this charger with a generator or shore power?
A: Yes. This charger accepts AC input from 100 to 240 volts at 50 or 60Hz, which covers standard US household and shore power outlets as well as international power sources. No step-down transformer or travel adapter is needed for domestic use. Just plug it into a standard outlet and connect it to your battery via the included Anderson plug.
Will this charger work faster if I need a quicker turnaround?
A: At 50A, this is already one of the fastest single-output 12V LiFePO4 chargers available. Dakota Lithium notes that for maximum battery lifespan, a charge rate of 0.3C or slower is ideal — meaning the charger's amp rating should ideally be no more than about one-third of the battery's amp hour capacity. The 50A rate is well-suited for large-capacity batteries in that range. If your application regularly requires faster turnaround, connecting batteries in parallel to increase total capacity while maintaining the same charge rate is one option worth considering.
