I've done a bit of searching online but I still have some questions.
For LiFePo4 battery charging steps (and all batteries if applicable) during the CC and CV steps, I don't understand the difference between a purpose made charger and a bench power supply with CC and CV settings. I think I am not understanding more than just the difference, but I'll continue.
I'll use my own experience because it's all I've done. I have a 4S LiFePo4 12v 12Ah battery. I set up a bench supply to limit the current at 4 amps and to limit the voltage at 14.4 volts. While charging, the supply chugged along at 4 amps, and the voltage steadily rose to 14.4 volts. At this point the amperage began to steadily fall, down to the mA range.
Am I correct in thinking that the beginning step, where amperage was 4 amps and voltage rose, is the CC step, and then when the voltage was steady and the amperage fell, that was the CV step?
What is different between a power supply set up like above, and a purpose made battery charger?
I am asking because I was all set to buy a buck/boost module with CC and CV settings and a power supply to make my own battery charger, but I chickened out, because I don't fully understand battery charging, and do not want to do something dangerous....well, not anything extremely dangerous.