Single Lithium Replacement for 2xGrp 24s?

[billrector]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

The only reviews I’ve read are the ones on Epoch’s website, which seem to be very favorable:

https://www.epochbatteries.com/produ...ntials#reviews

Also, as he posted earlier in this thread, @BillRector is using one in his Airstream. He seems pleased but I’d welcome any additional feedback he has.

Thanks for the tip about selling the used Interstates. I hadn’t considered that possibility. Our center console boat is coming due for a new battery, so I’ve been turning over the idea of using one of the Interstates. Maybe I could sell the other one?

I’m inclined to purchase the Epoch 300 sooner than later, but may wait until spring so it isn’t sitting unused over winter….

There are a few reviews of the Epoch 300 amp hour on YouTube as well as numerous teardowns of other Epoch batteries. The build quality is quite good!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Good point! Yes, the reason to replace it is for lithium battery charging.

I assumed the Parallax upgrade was to make their converter compatible with other battery types. I also figured if it had as many as 3-stages , then it likely could be switched to 2-stage for lithium.

But you may well be correct. It might just be an “upgrade” to improve AGM and other lead acid charging with 3-stages.

So when you guys upgraded your converters, were you replacing the entire Parallax Power Supply box with breakers and fuses, or just the component on the lower backside that serves as the converter/charger?

I replaced the WFCO on my 2017 28'FC, with a Boondocker model from Best Converters. Reason was I wanted to use the same chassis the WFCO was attached to so I could easily re'attach the power board and enclosure door. When I replaced the Boondocker recently with the newer model that supports LI, it was smaller, so I had to drill a couple new mounting holes for the new Boondocker LI model, in the same chassis, so it would all fit back together easily. If you need to see pics of my install, PM me. I copied into word file.

[BikeCamper]

This is good news about just replacing the converter/charger portion.

Originally Posted by DCPAS

Mine was a WFCO unit separate from the breaker / fuse box. You don't need to change the entire unit. See https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...s/PD4655V.html

This replacement unit looks very interesting. But one thing I just learned about the PD4655V is that for lithium-ion battery charging it uses a single-stage charging profile. It goes to 14.4V and stays there continuously. Apparently Performance Dynamics relies on the battery management system built into the battery itself to curtail charging when full capacity is reached.

It seems like a true multi-stage approach would be preferable?

[SunchaserV]

Does anyone have experience with Lifeline LFPs? The dealer we're buying our 27 from uses lots of them in new builds. On paper they don't match up to BB but hopefully they're water proof.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

This is good news about just replacing the converter/charger portion.




This replacement unit looks very interesting. But one thing I just learned about the PD4655V is that for lithium-ion battery charging it uses a single-stage charging profile. It goes to 14.4V and stays there continuously. Apparently Performance Dynamics relies on the battery management system built into the battery itself to curtail charging when full capacity is reached.

It seems like a true multi-stage approach would be preferable?

It seems like this single-stage lithium charging profile is not well understood, even by vendors.

Etrailer, BestConverters, Amazon, etc all advertise this PD4655V converter as a “multi-stage”, “lithium-compatible” replacement unit with a “Wizard” feature that selects the correct multi-stage profile for battery type.

But in reality, if you select lithium batteries, the “Wizard” is disabled and it reverts to a single-stage 14.4V charge output.

I’d like to find an easy swap (ie compatible with the current Parallax system and form factor) with a multi-stage lithium charge profile.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Amazon is running a “Black Friday” deal on these NewtiPower batteries. Anybody know anything about them?


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...z_dotd_2p_3_lm

I made the post above in another thread but thought I’d reply here instead.

I came across a discussion of these NewtiPower batteries on another website. Seems they are chinese and have some mixed reviews:

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/th...lifepo4.67157/


I also noticed that Epoch is currently running a 15% off black friday sale.

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by 3OnOurWay

Helping a friend plan out some of his changeover from two group 24s lead acid / AGM and we just came across an EPOCH 300ah rated battery maximum 200 amp draw that fits in the bay for two group 24.

It Seems to be a popular battery used on the SOB Video here :
https://youtu.be/5-1wdkakAxI

Link below

https://www.epochbatteries.com/produ...RoCXn0QAvD_BwE

$1000 heated with BMs and BT connectivity

FWIW... Epoch currently has 15% off Black Friday sale (with free shipping)... Fairly sure I'll be getting this battery (and then hopefully sell my existing 2 BattleBorns to offset some of the cost).

[PeterF66]

Originally Posted by billrector

Yes, standard battery box. If you look at a picture of the battery you will see if has two rope handles that extend through plastic ears that extend the width. I used a file and removed very little of those handles to fit into the box. I paid $899 for the battery.

Hi billrector - would you happen to have a picture of the fit in the battery box and how you made it work? We have a 2022 FC with the same standard size battery box so I ordered it today from Epoch with a 15% black friday discount code and given am a total newbie to all things electronics and batteries was hoping to find some pictures that could help me put it in - thanks much!

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by PeterF66

Hi billrector - would you happen to have a picture of the fit in the battery box and how you made it work? We have a 2022 FC with the same standard size battery box so I ordered it today from Epoch with a 15% black friday discount code and given am a total newbie to all things electronics and batteries was hoping to find some pictures that could help me put it in - thanks much!

Congrats. That should be a really nice upgrade.

When you install this battery, please share some good installation photos with the rest of us.

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by PeterF66

Hi billrector - would you happen to have a picture of the fit in the battery box and how you made it work? We have a 2022 FC with the same standard size battery box so I ordered it today from Epoch with a 15% black friday discount code and given am a total newbie to all things electronics and batteries was hoping to find some pictures that could help me put it in - thanks much!

I just ordered this battery on the Black Friday sale and will post some follow up as soon as I’m able re: getting it to fit in the exterior front battery box.

And if anyone near west central Iowa is in the market for two very lightly used 100ah BattleBorns feel free to ping me!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by nelsonh

I just ordered this battery on the Black Friday sale and will post some follow up as soon as I’m able re: getting it to fit in the exterior front battery box.

And if anyone near west central Iowa is in the market for two very lightly used 100ah BattleBorns feel free to ping me!

Curious; why are you going to sell the BattleBorns? Do you need the extra 100A (300A total) from the Epoch? Were you running out of power with the BB's? Also, what are you asking for the BB's?

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Curious; why are you going to sell the BattleBorns? Do you need the extra 100A (300A total) from the Epoch? Were you running out of power with the BB's? Also, what are you asking for the BB's?

More of a want than a need for sure. We’re hoping to have more off-grid outings next season… so with the sale price and hopefully being able to resell my existing batteries, I’m telling myself it’s a fiscally favorable way to add 50% to my capacity. Don’t harsh my buzz with your well-reasoned thinking!

[PeterF66]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Congrats. That should be a really nice upgrade.

When you install this battery, please share some good installation photos with the rest of us.

Will do, have everything I need together, just waiting for a little warmer weather here in northern IL to get started.



Am so glad and thankful for all the great input from all people here on the forum - had no clue how to go about it and Airstream support is really not very helpful tbh, but folks here are great - big thanks to everyone!