Upgrading 96 to LiFePO4 Batteries

[Giohere]

Can some one give me some info/ direction on changing the 96 airstream Excella converter/ charger to be capable of using LiFePO4 batteries I want try to Do it myself if possible I don’t know where i could purchase converter/charger for this model of airstream. Has anyone done this before where is the converter even located??😳😱😰

[Wazbro]

I'm not sure of exact position on 96 25', no doubt very close to batteries (that heavy wire is expensive) check under furniture in the front of trailer. You should call bestconverters.com and talk to them about a new converter.

[Slimpockets]

I talked to battle born and they told me what I needed. Just finished my install today.

[richard5933]

Assuming your 1996 is similar to my 1994, then changing is not that difficult. I removed the factory-installed converter and used the same wires to install a Progressive Dynamics lithium model. It is mounted on the inside of the front wall in one of the side compartments under the arm rest.

To do the install, I removed the sofa (not as difficult as it sounds - ask me if you need the steps), and then I removed the wood divider between the arm rest and the main sofa area to make access easy.

[LNBright]

I had to replace my power converter; I upgraded to a lithium-compatible one, so that at some point in the future, I can swap my batteries to lithium, just need to move a jumper on the board and I'll be ready. (Mostly. I'll do some other things at the time, too. )

[FalkTheHawk]

I have upgraded. Please see attached schematic. Also attached is the price and source of each component. Hope this helps. I also added a 12VDC fan on the right side of the box and a thermostatic switch to keep things cool.

[wanatrail]

my 93 classic was up front on the floor below the 12v ckt breakers- easy swap out

[Giohere]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

I'm not sure of exact position on 96 25', no doubt very close to batteries (that heavy wire is expensive) check under furniture in the front of trailer. You should call bestconverters.com and talk to them about a new converter.

Hi so I did reach out to them (left a message) and I will be getting some product recommendations for an upgraded converter charger! Thanks for the Rec! Yes the charger convert was located in the front under the sofa!

[Giohere]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Assuming your 1996 is similar to my 1994, then changing is not that difficult. I removed the factory-installed converter and used the same wires to install a Progressive Dynamics lithium model. It is mounted on the inside of the front wall in one of the side compartments under the arm rest.

To do the install, I removed the sofa (not as difficult as it sounds - ask me if you need the steps), and then I removed the wood divider between the arm rest and the main sofa area to make access easy.

Did you have to replace anything else in the airstream like fuses or something in my distribution panel? I have no experience with electrical. I attached a pic of my distribution panel above would this need to be upgraded as well? Btw thank you everyone who have been helpful!

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Giohere

[I]

Did you have to replace anything else in the airstream like fuses or something in my distribution panel? I have no experience with electrical. I attached a pic of my distribution panel above would this need to be upgraded as well? Btw thank you everyone who have been helpful!

I left that panel in place, although I added two addition bus bars - one for 12v positive and one for 12v negative. I fed that existing panel from the bus bar, and then used the bus bar to make all the connections to/from the batteries and the new converter/charger. Made things much easier. It's quite easy to reroute the cables which feed that panel to the new bus bars.

The Progressive converter/charger has its own fuses, and then I added a catastrophic fuse between the batteries and the new bus bar on the positive side.