What converter for lithium?

[Bill M.]

Going to do the lithium conversion in May. What are some good converters for 2 lithium batteries that do what lithium batteries need. Do lithium batteries need something more than a fixed voltage converter?

[n2916s]

I would just call Randy at Bestconverter.Com. He has been around forever and knows his business.

[candrews768]

I replaced my converter, after failure, with the 9800 lis series.

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Going to do the lithium conversion in May. What are some good converters for 2 lithium batteries that do what lithium batteries need. Do lithium batteries need something more than a fixed voltage converter?

[richard5933]

Right now we have two lead-acid batteries being fed by a Progressive Dynamics 9245, which is a multi-stage converter.

In the coming months I'll be switching over to a trio of Battleborn lithium batteries, and the plan is to swap out the converter for a Progressive Dynamics PD9145ALV, which is a 2-stage converter/charger designed specifically for lithium. Once the batteries are charged, it drops down from 14.6 to 13.6v for a storage mode. Here's the info on their lithium charging parameters: https://www.progressivedyn.com/wp-co...ge-lithium.pdf

For me, this model provides the most seamless swap. It's nearly identical in size, and the wiring swap is very straightforward. I might go with the 60-amp model instead, if I decide that a larger battery bank is in the works in the future so I'll have built-in expansion capacity.

From what I'm reading a 2-stage converter like this is preferred over a single stage.

Hope this helps you decide.

[Sophiehaus]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Going to do the lithium conversion in May. What are some good converters for 2 lithium batteries that do what lithium batteries need. Do lithium batteries need something more than a fixed voltage converter?

I replaced my WFCO converter with a WFCO lithium converter. Not sure it is the best (made in China) but it was sure easy to replace. It only involves a few screws and wires and is a perfect fit.

[jenorth]

I'm also upgrading to lithium but I'm very confused by WFCO's product offering. Do I need the Converter Replacement Kit, the Power Center or the Main Board Assembly? My AS has a WF-8955PEC installed.

[Joey Joe]

The auto detecting WFCO converters installed in recent models have been problematic. There are several posts in the forums about these issues. Mine doesn’t ever seem to want to jump up above 13.6 V. I’m planning to go with a Progressive Dynamics replacement this year.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by n2916s

I would just call Randy at Bestconverter.Com. He has been around forever and knows his business.

This is what I did and was not disappointed.

[Merlintiaga]

I have a WFCO Auto detect converter. It was sent back to factory for a firmware upgrade in February. It STILL isn’t right. I spoke to their tech Larry and he confirmed that my converter needs to go back to WFCO for the just released version of firmware. I’m done. I just bought a progressive dynamics unit. Should have it next week Do not buy a WFCO AD converter. They have taken a simple charger and made it into a super complex device that does not work.

[Merlintiaga]

Originally Posted by Joey Joe

The auto detecting WFCO converters installed in recent models have been problematic. There are several posts in the forums about these issues. Mine doesn’t ever seem to want to jump up above 13.6 V. I’m planning to go with a Progressive Dynamics replacement this year.

I had the exact same symptoms. It appears that you have the firmware issue. If you call WFCO tech support they will run you through a bunch of questions about wire length, wire gauge and fuses. All this will check out fine leading to the conclusion that your converter needs a firmware upgrade. When I did this, the converter came back somewhat better but it won’t go into Lithium mode. The entire concept of an auto detect converter is silly. If someone has the knowledge to swap out a bank of batteries then they have the skills to flick a switch on the converter to change it from lead-acid to lithium mode. No “auto” detect needed.

[Sophiehaus]

Originally Posted by jenorth

I'm also upgrading to lithium but I'm very confused by WFCO's product offering. Do I need the Converter Replacement Kit, the Power Center or the Main Board Assembly? My AS has a WF-8955PEC installed.

I replaced mine with the full time lithium WF-8950L2-MBA. It does not have a detector switch for lithium and lead acid. I will never go back to lead acid. I kept the existing 12 volt board and the 120 volt electric panel and breakers.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Also from Randy at BC....

Bob
🇺🇸

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by n2916s

I would just call Randy at Bestconverter.Com. He has been around forever and knows his business.

Same, same. Great advice. Takes all the guesswork out and you will get exactly what you need for your application.

[Bill M.]

I am the OP for this thread. I am suprisedx to see it pop up. I did not do the lithium conversion. I did buy two 105 amp hour AGM's. They are a welcome increase over the 70 amp hour Walmart batteries I had been using. I did buy a 12 volt to 12 volt dc converter. I went with a Victron 18 amp blue tooth model. But I never installed it. It is sitting in a drawer waiting until I decide if I want to install it or just sell it and move on, I decided that as good as lithium batteries may be the AGM's will work for the little boondocking we do. We did 10 days with the AGM and the generator last summer. I did charge a little more often than I thought I might have to, This year I do not see any major off grid camping coming up. My big load is a CPAP. I carry a lithium backup unit for the CPAP that would be good for a few days if needed. So far I have not needed it. I do wish the lithium had been an option back in 2007 when we started out camping. Went on an Alaska caravan with poor batteries and no generator. Had a few miserable days and nights. Eventually added a generator and a Micro Air soft start. Bought new batteries one time during a 14 day boon docking stay where I messed up by not generating often enough,

[jenorth]

Hi Bill, I was digging deep in old threads for previous discussions and found yours. I try not to start a new post unless I realllllly can't find the answer I'm looking for in previous discussions.

I talked to Randy and got what I need, so thanks to n2916s. He recommended the Wildkat 4655L MBA, which was made specifically to replace the WFCO 8955 that comes standard in newer model ASs. I like it because it includes 4-stage charging with a remote to control charging modes. I wasn't finding 4-stage support from any other converters, much less a remote to override.

Auto-detection sounds like a nightmare. The only reason I considered a converter with the option to toggle between battery types was for resale. Like Bill, if you don't spend much time off-grid and a couple AGM or golf cart batteries are enough, it could save a future owner a lot of money. If I ever sell, I'll be taking my lithium batteries with me...

Thanks all!