I need some guidance on my LifePo4 upgrade

[johnrhopkins]

First, I searched before asking but didn't find the info I'm looking for. Perhape I don't know the correct terms?

I have a 2015 Rezerve 27bh with all original electrical.
I bought an Ecoflow 12.8v 280AH battery that I'd like to replace my lead acid batts with.

My understanding is that I can just replace my twin lead acid marine batts with the new battery but will not be using the battery to its full capacity.

Also I'm better off replacing the charge converter to one that can handle the Lifepo4 charge profile.

See attached pic. Is the thing with the heat sink what I need to replace?

Is 'charge converter' the proper name for it?

Any guidance on what to replace it with would be great.

EDIT: It appears that I have a WF-8900 Series Power Center which has a 3-stage power converter; Specs: Absorb 13.6, Bulk 14.4, Float:13.2

 

[Lloyd S]

Here is a link to a guy that has done some extensive battery and solar additions.
You might find some answers to your questions in some of his posts.

https://www.crossroadsowners.com/forums/f12/upgrading-the-electrical-this-winter-15017.html

 

[DavisK]

I'm not 100% certain, but I tend to agree with you that the lower half of the unit in your photo is the converter. From 2021 to 2023 the industry began putting auto-detect converters in campers that can automatically detect the type of battery and switch to the proper charging profile. Most of these are deck mount converters and are mounted behind the power center on the floor. The WFCO models have AD at the end of the model number.

I replaced the lead-acid batteries in my Rockwood with a pair of 300ah LiFePo4 batteries. My power center is a WF-8930/50 and the converter is a WF 9855-AD. I have a 200w solar panel and a GoPower GP-PWM-30-UL solar controller. This setup will charge the batteries to 100%.

 

[Wingerdinger]

First, I searched before asking but didn't find the info I'm looking for. Perhape I don't know the correct terms?

I have a 2015 Rezerve 27bh with all original electrical.
I bought an Ecoflow 12.8v 280AH battery that I'd like to replace my lead acid batts with.

My understanding is that I can just replace my twin lead acid marine batts with the new battery but will not be using the battery to its full capacity.

Also I'm better off replacing the charge converter to one that can handle the Lifepo4 charge profile.

See attached pic. Is the thing with the heat sink what I need to replace?

Is 'charge converter' the proper name for it?

Any guidance on what to replace it with would be great.

EDIT: It appears that I have a WF-8900 Series Power Center which has a 3-stage power converter; Specs: Absorb 13.6, Bulk 14.4, Float:13.2

You have the typical 'Convertor/charger' for the 2015 era. The exact model is on the inside of the cover you removed.
It has a charge profile for lead-acid batteries.
To get your new battery to charge to 100%, you will need to replace the charger portion of the Convertor with one that has a charge profile for your new LIPo battery.

 

[johnrhopkins]

UPDATE:
I watched a few videos that said it was 100% safe to install the battery as-is, replacing the LA batts. I wouldn't get the full capacity when charging it... but still more capacity than what I had.

I'll post an update if this doesn't work well or with any updates I do to the system. In the end, I think I want to add solar next so that will fully charge the battery bank. Then add to the solar array over time.

 

[tomkatb]

option 1 do nothing. Sometimes while being parked in a full service park for days my batteries with a non lithium converter gets to full charge.

Option 2 Add any solar. That will do it.

Option 3 Change converter. No big deal usually.

Option 4 What is the condition of your old battery charger in the garage? The modern 15 amp Victron is a peach. Will top up your battery as you please. Also reawakens dead lithium batteries. Yes it does happen. Also refurbishes old wet cell batteries. Like the lawnmower.