Changing from AGM to Lithium batteries

[Larry1492]

I have a 2023 flying cloud that came with AGM batteries and I considering changing to lithium. The charger auto detects battery type. I need to change switch settings on solar control and I buying self heating battery’s so they can go outside. Anyone see a problem with this plan? Do I need to change anything with charge lead from truck?

Regards,

Larry

[Wazbro]

Well your stock converter with auto-detect is questionable whether or not it will work properly, many have had issues getting it to work right and keeping it working right.

For the charge line from the truck you would be better off if you either disconnect it or add a DC to DC charger, some do both with adding separate wires for the DC to DC charger.

[Merlintiaga]

+1 about the WFCO converter. In theory you won’t need to buy a new converter, but I would recommend that you include a Progressive Dynamics replacement in your budget. The WFCO units don’t like to go into and stay in lithium mode. WFCO Will upgrade the firmware for you if you jump through lots of hoops, but it likely won’t permanently fix the issue with the converter.

[jnm30327]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

For the charge line from the truck you would be better off if you either disconnect it or add a DC to DC charger, some do both with adding separate wires for the DC to DC charger.

What he said.

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by jnm30327

What he said.

I will look into progressive dynamics. Look as the dc to dc chargers, I’m thinking 20 amps is sufficient and I don’t know if the wiring on the truck will supply much more than that.

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by Larry1492

I have a 2023 flying cloud that came with AGM batteries and I considering changing to lithium. The charger auto detects battery type. I need to change switch settings on solar control and I buying self heating battery’s so they can go outside. Anyone see a problem with this plan? Do I need to change anything with charge lead from truck?

Regards,

Larry

200ah lithium batteries installed, they fit in box. Dc to dc charger installed, solar configured and charger converter indicating it sees lithium. Batteries show 100% after charging overnight. On to testing. As soon as the refrigerator cools down I’m going to pull the plug and see how long I 200ah last me.

[Larry1492]

Charged batteries to 100% Friday and shut down charger converter. After two overcast days the batteries were down to 50% this morning. The sun is out and the solar charging has them back to 100%. It looks like I can go four days without any charge at all running Norcold electric refrigerator. My expectations have been exceeded. I’m going to be very happy with this setup.

[field & stream]

That’s great, congratulations. To help us understand this better, which model fridge and what were the ambient temperatures day and night?

[Tao]

You may want to take a look at this thread I started this morning on in the Basecamp forum:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f40...tc-244096.html

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by field & stream

That’s great, congratulations. To help us understand this better, which model fridge and what were the ambient temperatures day and night?

The fridge is the Norcold N8dc and the daytime temps in the eighty’s and nights in the sixties.

[field & stream]

From the Norcold website, here are the power rates for that fridge:

Listed Amp Draw: 12V/DC :
Standard Mode Night mode
7.9 5.7

So that would be almost 200Ah per day running full time in standard mode, but they cycle on and off frequently. Your use of 100Ah over two days indicates a 25-35% duty cycle at those ambient temperatures, which is quite efficient. You will use more on warmer days, and less on cooler days.

Good experience based data — thanks for providing it.

[JeffKim]

Originally Posted by jnm30327

What he said.

What they said.

[JeffKim]

There are numerous threads on installing lithium batteries, but sounds like you moved quickly and got it done. I put four inside under a twin bed and upgraded the solar controller. and replaced the sketchy charger with a Victron. (My vehicle doesn't support the DC/DC charger (fused too low), so the charging wire is disconnected.)

I strongly recommend the Victron shunt. You won't have to guess then about how fully charged the batteries are. I don't know how your FC is configured but you should be able to squeeze it in by the DC junction box.

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

There are numerous threads on installing lithium batteries, but sounds like you moved quickly and got it done. I put four inside under a twin bed and upgraded the solar controller. and replaced the sketchy charger with a Victron. (My vehicle doesn't support the DC/DC charger (fused too low), so the charging wire is disconnected.)



I strongly recommend the Victron shunt. You won't have to guess then about how fully charged the batteries are. I don't know how your FC is configured but you should be able to squeeze it in by the DC junction box.

I did not want to give up the storage under the bed( yes we always bring to much stuff) so I used the self heating battery’s and located them in the battery box. My tow vehicle supports 30 amps to the trailer so dc to dc charging works. I also like the feature in the Victron that it shuts down when the tow vehicle is not running. The batteries came with a charge level indicator which works for now but down the road I will most likely add the Victron shunt.

[DonDiego]

Larry, which model trailer do you have?

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by DonDiego

Larry, which model trailer do you have?

Flying Cloud 25fbq

[Tao]

Who's battery did you choose, why, model number?
Do you have an Inverter in line?

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by Tao

Who's battery did you choose, why, model number?

Do you have an Inverter in line?

Epoch S12100B was he most battery for the dollar and the highest capacity that would fit in box, I did rotate them 90 degrees from original Agm’s. Also needed battery’s with heating function since I live up east. I would have spent the extra money for the ones with Bluetooth monitoring but they were slightly larger and would not fit and at some point I’m going to add the Victron Bluetooth shunt so the function would be redundant.

[Larry1492]

Originally Posted by Larry1492

Attachment 432839

Epoch S12100B was he most battery for the dollar and the highest capacity that would fit in box, I did rotate them 90 degrees from original Agm’s. Also needed battery’s with heating function since I live up east. I would have spent the extra money for the ones with Bluetooth monitoring but they were slightly larger and would not fit and at some point I’m going to add the Victron Bluetooth shunt so the function would be redundant.

Yes I do have inverter.

[Tao]

Larry, looked at your choice of battery - looks like a great unit from specs and reviews BUT the largest then make is the 100Ah unit you purchased.

I'm figuring I will need 2 x 200Ah batteries but will try to start out with just one 200 Ah. Wish they made a 200!

Thanks for your info.