Lithium Battery Conversion

[jbenalpine]

I am looking to make the switch from 4 x 6vdc lead cell batteries to 2 x 12vdc Lithium batteries. At the 2020 DRR there was a terrific presentation done on this with Lion brand batteries. Does anyone have that info? I thought I kept the notes but can not seem to find them. Or does anyone have info on a similar conversion and what it takes.

Specifically:
1. Was the battery used a Lion Safari UT 1300?
2. What needs to be done to setup charging from my Xantrex 2000w Model 81-2010-12?
3. What needs to be done to the Cummins alternator's charger output to tame it to charge the new batteries?
4. Is there some Alpine discount for these batteries like the FMCA Tire program that would help soften the sticker shock?
5. Anything else

Thanks folks for any help on this

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by jbenalpine

I am looking to make the switch from 4 x 6vdc lead cell batteries to 2 x 12vdc Lithium batteries. At the 2020 DRR there was a terrific presentation done on this with Lion brand batteries. Does anyone have that info? I thought I kept the notes but can not seem to find them. Or does anyone have info on a similar conversion and what it takes.

Specifically:
1. Was the battery used a Lion Safari UT 1300?
2. What needs to be done to setup charging from my Xantrex 2000w Model 81-2010-12?
3. What needs to be done to the Cummins alternator's charger output to tame it to charge the new batteries?
4. Is there some Alpine discount for these batteries like the FMCA Tire program that would help soften the sticker shock?
5. Anything else

Thanks, folks for any help on this

So I sent you an email the other day, not sure if you saw it!

Gimme a call and I'll talk you through it!

Where are you located Jay?....there is a Costco Roadshow right now and Lions are selling for $689 each

[Taxguy]

Paul what Costco has those batts? I can find them on the web site.

[Taxguy]

Can't find them

[paul65k]

Here's the link on the Costco Website with the roadshow locations and dates.

https://www.costco.com/lion-energy-s...fqIzJAq8FsGE3U

[Old Scout]

Curious--dont believe the RS2000 has an Li charging protocol; also think you need to protect your stock alternator from the Li bats, not the other way around....So let the $$$$$ roll [smile].....

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Curious--dont believe the RS2000 has an Li charging protocol; also think you need to protect your stock alternator from the Li bats, not the other way around....So let the $$$$$ roll [smile].....

The Freedom 458 will work fine with Lithium batteries when set to the AGM profile.

The easiest way to protect your alternator is a Li-BIM module around $150 or the best way is to add a DC-DC converter for around $235 which will protect your alternator

If that's a lot of $$ then you're probably not a LiFePO4 candidate anyhow

[work2play]

Lion Energy Safari UT1300 2-pack for $1,399.99

https://www.costco.com/lion-energy-s...vTVjbHOwEQvbrY

[Kid Gloves]

I pulled the trigger on 2, 2-packs. As life would have it, the lead acid house batteries are toast after ~5 years. Isn’t this convenient?

I figured the 420aH, or ~5400wH is similar to what would be expected from 6-8, 6V GC batteries, without corroded terminals, adding water and making sure they don’t get too discharged and always get fully charged. For now I’ll use the AGM setting on the Freedom 458 and add a switch to the trombetta control wire to save the alternator. After Scott’s solar/lithium seminar next month, I’ll forge ahead with solar panels, DC/DC converter, charge controller, blah blah.

[Kid Gloves]

Would the wire on the bottom right of the Trombetta be the appropriate wire to interrupt to prevent the alternator from charging the house batteries? Ok, the photo rotated without warning. So now the wire in question is in the upper right of the photo.

Alternatively, would the Victron 12-12/30 DC/DC charger eliminate the need for the Trombetta, or would the Trombetta remain necessary to charge the chassis batteries while on shore/generator power. I’m thinking the latter.

Thanks.

[twinboat]

Either wire will inturupt its operation.

One is 12 +. The other small wire us 12 - or ground.

[Kid Gloves]

I’m one connection away from completing the battery swap. With the addition of the Victron shunt, does the CAD drawing look to be correct compared to the Victron schematic?

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by Kid Gloves

I’m one connection away from completing the battery swap. With the addition of the Victron shunt, does the CAD drawing look to be correct compared to the Victron schematic?

Yes, this is correct. I see you separated the negatives between the Chassis and House batteries, unlike the factory wiring, and moved the starting battery ground to the load side of the shunt which is exactly what you have to do with the Victron battery monitor.

[Cinequip]

Shunt cabling looks correct. However, I would suggest reworking the 4 Lion battery cables so the final positive and negative leads connect to the same battery, and then connecting positive & negative to the NEXT battery, and so forth. The drawing shows positive cable connected to one battery, and the negative connected to the last paralleled battery.