Upgrading RV battery to Lithium Iron Phophrate (LifePO4)

[16ACE27]

Just FYI, what this chart does not state, but is critical for accurate measurement of SOC, is that the voltage has to be measured with the battery at rest for 30+ minutes.



This simple chart does state that:

[DC7432]

Thanks everyone, great information. If I go with AGM do you think my stock converter will charge them?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by DC7432

Thanks everyone, great information. If I go with AGM do you think my stock converter will charge them?

Yes.

[Minh Nguyen]

Hi,
I checked and found out that my RV does have WFCO WF8955PEC control/power center.
What else do I have to check to see if my RV us lithium battery compatible? Thanks

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Hi,
I checked and found out that my RV does have WFCO WF8955PEC control/power center.
What else do I have to check to see if my RV us lithium battery compatible? Thanks

I would not recommend using the WF-8955PEC charger with lithium batteries. WFCO does make a lithium charger. The WFCO WF-8950L2-MBA converter is a drop in replacement for your present converter.

[Minh Nguyen]

Hi,

I am a newbie in RV and never paid attention to battery in general until now. I am a little confused about the DoD level, is it by design or technology limitation that you are not allowed to fully use the full potential of power stored? just like to have a 5 gallons of container of water but you can only used 50% of it and advised to refill as soon as you can, so what is the point of having a big container for? in this case big battery.

[Minh Nguyen]

thanks for your reply. Looks like it has only 4 wires that I have to disconnect and reconnect right?

[Minh Nguyen]

Hi all, do you know what is it for? I found it is located next to my battery compartment. And what is the blue button is for? is it a "reset" button for something?

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Hi,

I am a newbie in RV and never paid attention to battery in general until now. I am a little confused about the DoD level, is it by design or technology limitation that you are not allowed to fully use the full potential of power stored? just like to have a 5 gallons of container of water but you can only used 50% of it and advised to refill as soon as you can, so what is the point of having a big container for? in this case big battery.

The Technology is a function of the design. It is NOT that you can't use the full potential of power stored, it is about the efficiency and strain on the battery performance and life expectancy. If you in a dark cave would you want the flashlight with 100% SOC or the one with 50% SOC? Both will work. Batteries can only handle so many cycles of complete drains. Drains to levels below the Mfg recommend SOC will just accelerate it's demise. If you want technology today that best allows for this issue, Lithium batteries is your only choice. You can down to 20% SOC or so.

You can also do what I did which was to calculate your AH needs and buy batteries that can accommodate. i.e. I need 75 - 80 ahs/day. My batteries were 65ahs each. So I bought two 125 ahs so I have more than I ever need. It is also why in my case usually my batteries rarely even get below 12.6 vdc, so effectively I only get down to 60% SOC before I am recharging.

As I read your thinking, you may be better off to buy the Lithium system. I believe you will be happier. Just may sure you a system that support cold temperatures should you ever be in situation where you might encounter a freeze.

[Minh Nguyen]

Thanks for your reply. I am planning a 4-6 weeks trip going go around the United States with as much boon-docking/dry camping as possible to compensate for the gas cost current. SO I need to invest into a good set of batteries that helping me with stay off grid during the trip.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

thanks for your reply. Looks like it has only 4 wires that I have to disconnect and reconnect right?

Yes but there are three AC wires (in): black (120 volt power), white (common), green (ground) and for DC (out) to the fuse panel: red (12 volt positive) and white (12 volt negative) The converter is in the lower compartment of your power center and it is a true drop-in replacement.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Thanks for your reply. I am planning a 4-6 weeks trip going go around the United States with as much boon-docking/dry camping as possible to compensate for the gas cost current. SO I need to invest into a good set of batteries that helping me with stay off grid during the trip.

Your requirements may dictate that Lithium may be your only option. Lots of factor like space constraints etc. Terminology is important too, because for me, and I am not the expert, I am boondocking when ever I do not have shorepower PERIOD. I bought a RV with 5500 Watt to Generator to use whenever I need power while boondocking

I can go two days max with no generator / shorepower. Not sure how may days you plan to go? Had I bought lithium's, I guess I could make 4 days with no generator / shorepower. I don't wish to sound like a wimp, but I ain't trying to camp like that. Each of those 4 days, my Genset will run for 2 hours and I never get below 12.6vdc. I made the math work for me.

[Minh Nguyen]

Thank you very much. will definitely look into that

[Minh Nguyen]

Thanks for your reply. I will plan to to go 2 to 3 days off grid then a day to get fresh water refilled, dumping black and gray and on the trip again need to get out after 2 years tied down at home during the pandemic

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Thanks for your reply. I will plan to to go 2 to 3 days off grid then a day to get fresh water refilled, dumping black and gray and on the trip again need to get out after 2 years tied down at home during the pandemic

I don't know weather in California (I suspect that it may be cause cancer to the State) but do you think you can go 2 to 3 days in an RV with no AC? I know we can't, or don't want to do; so our AGS will fire up the Genny if it hits setpoint (75 or so). When genny is running our batteries are recharged.

Another perspective, and trust me it is only a perspective of one guy; but when would you ever use your genny if not in those situations? I try to use my genny for any excuse possible, and I can barely hit 80 hours a year using it. Now when Lithium can run my two ACs, I may pay more attention

[sparky322]

if you have Battery start Generator.. its seperate from House Batterys & engine start.
i also Have a (2020) 22HE i have 3 batterys changing batterys & charging systems just to costly for me
sparky

[Brians]

I would like to convert to lithium also. My question is who does this type of work? My RV guy doesnt seem to know about battery technology. I can order and replace the batteries but am not comfortable ordering and installing the converter. Do i go to a solar company or what? I dont want to go to Camping World either.

[Brians]

Mine is yellow and is the power reset for the leveling jacks.