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View Poll Results: Airstream Excella 96
Yes I have upgraded to lithium 6 54.55%
No I use the original system in the Airstream 1 9.09%
In the process of figuring out how to upgrade my system 4 36.36%
It’s far too intimidating to DIY upgrade 0 0%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 03-14-2023, 04:53 PM   #1
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1996 25' Excella
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 4
Upgrading 96 to LiFePO4 Batteries

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??😳😱😰
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Old 03-14-2023, 04:58 PM   #2
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1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville , New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,134
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.
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Old 03-14-2023, 04:59 PM   #3
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2005 25' Safari
Brooks , Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2009
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I talked to battle born and they told me what I needed. Just finished my install today.
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Old 03-14-2023, 06:10 PM   #4
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1994 25' Excella
Waukesha , Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
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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.
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1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
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Old 03-15-2023, 05:13 AM   #5
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2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport , Tennessee
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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. )
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Old 03-15-2023, 09:50 AM   #6
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2003 30' Classic S/O
Riverdale , New York
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 48
Schematic, Pricing and Component Layout of Lion Upgrade

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.
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File Type: pdf Trailer12VDCLionComponents.pdf (92.5 KB, 19 views)
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Old 03-18-2023, 07:56 AM   #7
wanatrail
 
2007 25' Safari
1993 34' Limited
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State College , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 15
my 93 classic was up front on the floor below the 12v ckt breakers- easy swap out
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Old 03-18-2023, 02:39 PM   #8
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1996 25' Excella
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 4
I found it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wazbro View Post
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!
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Old 03-18-2023, 02:55 PM   #9
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1996 25' Excella
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by richard5933 View Post
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!
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Old 03-18-2023, 08:50 PM   #10
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1994 25' Excella
Waukesha , Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,522
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giohere View Post
[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.
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1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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