Lithium ion batteries

[Gparra]

Just intalled 2 EWT Lithium batteries on my 22QB coachmen Freelander. They both have PCB/BMS function. Do I need to replace the converter/battery charger. And where is this converter located?

[CHICKDOE]

there is mixed advice on whether to replace the converter / charger or not. find it and get the make / model number. then call the battery manufacturer and get their advice. there are many articles on the internet about how to charge the new batteries.

many times they are located behind the power distribution panel. sometimes they are behind a basement storage wall. if any of the basement walls have an access panel in them take it off and look to see if the converter / charger is behind the wall.

[Gparra]

I have seen many videos on Utube regarding replacing the lead batteries and I get mixed advice. My concern is if the existing setup on my rig is sufficient to keep the batteries charged.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Gparra

Just intalled 2 EWT Lithium batteries on my 22QB coachmen Freelander. They both have PCB/BMS function. Do I need to replace the converter/battery charger. And where is this converter located?

Originally Posted by Gparra

I have seen many videos on Utube regarding replacing the lead batteries and I get mixed advice. My concern is if the existing setup on my rig is sufficient to keep the batteries charged.

Lithium batteries have a different power curve than a lead acid. You will need a charger that is lithium aware.

I programmed my Samlex EVO-2212 Inverter/Charger for my Battle Born Lithium batteries. I also reprogramed my Solar Charger Controller. I called Battle Born for the correct settings.

Contact your battery manufacturer.

[Gparra]

I was dry camping this weekend from Thursday to Sunday night. I noticed that every time i tried to turn on the generator, the interior lights went dead. Then I had to turn the engine on in order to start the generator. Once the generator was going everything was working just fine including when I shut off the generator. The batteries seemed to be working fine. I noticed that as long as I did not try to start the generator, I had no problems with power inside the coach.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Gparra

I was dry camping this weekend from Thursday to Sunday night. I noticed that every time i tried to turn on the generator, the interior lights went dead. Then I had to turn the engine on in order to start the generator. Once the generator was going everything was working just fine including when I shut off the generator. The batteries seemed to be working fine. I noticed that as long as I did not try to start the generator, I had no problems with power inside the coach.

My 100Ah Battle Born batteries have a 200 Amp Surge Current for 30 Seconds. With 400Ah, I have a 800 Amp Surge Current to start the generator. I have had no problems starting the generator.

Find out what the EWT surge current rating is.

[Gparra]

Let's say that the surge charge on these batteries is not enough to get the generator going. Is there anything I can do to increase the surge just to start the generator?

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Gparra

Let's say that the surge charge on these batteries is not enough to get the generator going. Is there anything I can do to increase the surge just to start the generator?

You can hit the emergency start to tie the engine battery to the house batteries. But you would need a second person as the emergency start button is in the front. You can install a remote generator start to put next to emergency start button.

With four 100Ah Battle Born batteries, I have had no problems.

[CHICKDOE]

what make / model converter do you have. i take it that you are still using the stock lead acid converter. on the battle born website they say their batteries work with several lead acid converters. i contacted them to understand this (why buy a lithium charger if the lead acid one is ok)? they said the lead acid chargers will charge the lithium batteries, but not fully. it may be possible that your charger just isn't charging the lithium batteries so that they have enough power to start the generator. i would get the info on the charger and the generator and then call the battery manufacturer and have them comment. it might also make a difference depending upon the type of generator. i would expect an lp generator to take less to start followed by gas followed by diesel.

[Gparra]

I upgraded the converter charger to one for Lithium from progressive, but still have the same problem with the generator not starting. I have two lithium batteries hooked up in parallel for a total of 200Ah. I only have room for these two batteries in the step compartment. I wish I had more more I put four just like Robert. I love his set up but its costly. Just need a little bit of surge. I never figured I would have problems with cranking power off of these batteries. They perform great for running all the lights in the coach for days on end. But, can't start the generator. I have to start the engine and go through this process every time now.

[CHICKDOE]

What type of generator do you have? Call the battery manufacturer and ask them about this. Something does not seem right!

[babock]

Measure the voltage at the batteries while cranking. Then measure the voltage at the generator while cranking. My bet is that you have a voltage drop somewhere and its not the batteries fault. The batteries should easily be able to start your generator.

[Gparra]

I have the cummings onan RV QG 4000; I will check the voltage draw the as soon as I get a chance.

[CHICKDOE]

please let us know what you find out.

[CHICKDOE]

this has been bugging me. they should work. i know battle born states they their batteries can start generators. the issue seems to be that the amount of surge current the batteries put out is not sufficient to start the generator. the ewt lithium batteries are made and sold by a company in china and the only spec i can find is 12 volt 100 amp hours. i could not find a thing about the level of current they can supply. just they claim they can be used for rv's and they have 100 amp hours.

i'm not sure where you can go from here. you probably bought them online. try the voltage tests that were described. perhaps there is a loose or corroded connection or a bad cable that is causing the problem. i'd like to help more but this this is over my pay grade. best of luck

[babock]

For some reason I thought you had the BattleBorn batteries. Who knows what the surge current for the EWT battery is.

[Gparra]

The peak discharge rate for the EWT Lithium Iron Battery is 100Ah for 20 seconds. I have two batteries hooked up in parallel, so I'm supposed to have 200Ah for 20 seconds.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Gparra

The peak discharge rate for the EWT Lithium Iron Battery is 100Ah for 20 seconds. I have two batteries hooked up in parallel, so I'm supposed to have 200Ah for 20 seconds.

This is the specs of the BB5012 50 AH 12 Volt LiFePO4 Battle Born Battery.
• 60 Amps Continuous
• 100 Amps Surge for 30 Seconds
• ½ Second Surge for Larger Loads
BB5012 50 AH 12 Volt LiFePO4 Battle Born Battery -Cut-Sheet.pdf


BB10012 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 Battle Born Deep Cycle Battery
• 100 Amp Continuous Current
• 200 Amp Surge Current (30 Seconds)
• 1/2 second surge for higher loads

[babock]

Originally Posted by Gparra

The peak discharge rate for the EWT Lithium Iron Battery is 100Ah for 20 seconds. I have two batteries hooked up in parallel, so I'm supposed to have 200Ah for 20 seconds.

So when you say your generator doesn't start, what does that mean exactly? The starter doesn't spin the engine? Or does it spin and the ignition doesn't seem to work at that point?

This is a gasoline generator right?

[babock]

I just read your generator manual. The engine spec for starting batteries is 450CCA. Your batteries likely don't supply enough current.