Switched to Lithium

[L98383]

After installing additional solar panels I decided to do the Lithium conversion. Pretty easy swap, took a few nights after work and wrapped it up today. Saved a ton of weight over the three 4D’s! Can’t wait to dry camp and compare against the old setup.

[rsdata]

Can’t wait to dry camp and compare against the old setup.

please describe the new setup with some details... I would like to hear about it.

[18LT]

Originally Posted by L98383

After installing additional solar panels I decided to do the Lithium conversion. Pretty easy swap, took a few nights after work and wrapped it up today. Saved a ton of weight over the three 4D’s! Can’t wait to dry camp and compare against the old setup.

Congratulations! I'm extremely happy with my two 100ah lifepo4 batteries and additional 190-watt solar panel.

[TitanMike]

LiFePo4 replacing lead acid and you'll never look back.

Also, a sweet spot for solar to recharge LiFePo4 batteries seems to be three 100 watt panels for each pair of 100ah Batteries.

[L98383]

Sorry the pictures did post on the initial post.
Started with three AGM 4D batteries and a standard BIM 225, ended with six Battle Born GC2 100AH batteries, Li-BIM 225 and Victron monitor.

[Rancher Rob]

I did a similar project but ended up with 821Ah of 3 Battleborn LiFePO4 game changers. I love the extra capacity and have enough to run my front Air Conditioner and A/C Refridgerator through inverter. At least for a few hours of AirCond.

There is another guy on here that squeezed 1000Ah of Victron Li batteries in his Dynamax. I wish I'd gone that route. I think he probably paid less than I did for mine too. Not to mention that we probably has an even number of batteries so could wire them in series banks to get 24v or 48v with less amps and thereby be able to use much smaller cables/wires which would offset some of the cost and a lot of the frustration of working with doubled up 4/0 cables. It also would allow some different charger/inverter options.

Lastly, I consulted a Victron/LiFePO4 expert and they said the Li-BIM225 are "crap" and there are much better ways to go. I'm going to explore a dc to dc converter.

Just passing the info and experience along for the next person who wants to do the same project.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Rancher Rob

Lastly, I consulted a Victron/LiFePO4 expert and they said the Li-BIM225 are "crap" and there are much better ways to go. I'm going to explore a dc to dc converter.

Based on what I know about the Li-BIM's I agree.

They don't overcome the basic issue with different battery chemistries on the same charging circuit. They keep the alternator from "smoking" by merely charging the LiFePo4 batteries in intervals, controlled by voltage. If the alternator doesn't deliver 14.4-14.6 volts, then the LiFePo4 batteries aren't fully charged with balanced cells.

I'd go with a DC-DC charger and if it's absolutely necessary to maintain the Starting battery, install a second DC-DC charger in a smaller size that uses House battery to maintain the starting battery. They work both ways.

As for emergency start, a simple solenoid and push button solves that issue.

BTW, there are DC-DC Chargers available for less than the cost of a Li-BIM and two, one large and one small, may only be a few bucks more with far more reliability and performance.

[robo44]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Based on what I know about the Li-BIM's I agree.

They don't overcome the basic issue with different battery chemistries on the same charging circuit. They keep the alternator from "smoking" by merely charging the LiFePo4 batteries in intervals, controlled by voltage. If the alternator doesn't deliver 14.4-14.6 volts, then the LiFePo4 batteries aren't fully charged with balanced cells.

I'd go with a DC-DC charger and if it's absolutely necessary to maintain the Starting battery, install a second DC-DC charger in a smaller size that uses House battery to maintain the starting battery. They work both ways.

As for emergency start, a simple solenoid and push button solves that issue.

BTW, there are DC-DC Chargers available for less than the cost of a Li-BIM and two, one large and one small, may only be a few bucks more with far more reliability and performance.

x2 on getting DC/DC Charger