Need a converter replacement for lifepo4 battery

[mhbell]

I am installing solar and need to replace my Elixir ELX-25 converter so I can fully charge my Lifepo4 100 amp hour lithium battery. I find that many converters say they will detect what battery but they will only charge the lithium battery to 80 percent. Has anyone replace a Elixir Controller and are using Lifepo4 battery? What brand and model did you use. I have room for a wfco or PD controller. I don't want a deck mount if I can help it. Any info appreciated.
Mel

[Stircrazy1]

Originally Posted by mhbell

I am installing solar and need to replace my Elixir ELX-25 converter so I can fully charge my Lifepo4 100 amp hour lithium battery. I find that many converters say they will detect what battery but they will only charge the lithium battery to 80 percent. Has anyone replace a Elixir Controller and are using Lifepo4 battery? What brand and model did you use. I have room for a wfco or PD controller. I don't want a deck mount if I can help it. Any info appreciated.
Mel

I answered you on the other board so I won't get into to much detail here. but one thing to add do not get an auto sensing converter, you mentioned you have solar, the output of the solar will trick the converter into thinking it is charged or a different battery type and it will step down the voltage and you wont get a good charge, WFCO is rampant with this issue and apparently the fix is a jumper cable that turns it into a fixed charge so just go with a deicent converter for li that has a switch or button to switch modes.

[d23haynes57]

What converter do you have? Lithium's are actually easy to charge and with the built in BMS they really do not need anything special. If at the top of the charging cycle, you are getting anything near 14.2 volts or above you are good!

[mhbell]

My EXL-25 Converter is shot. So I still need a good converter for my Lifepo4 battery. Guess a auto battery sensing would not be good with solar. Any suggestions, Anyone.
TIA
Mel

[d23haynes57]

Since your upgrading for power maybe an inverter/charger?

[Persistent]

Installing a deck mount is often the easiest method of updating an elixir.

Finding a converter charger that fits into the same space in the elixir housing is difficult to impossible.

Disconnecting the elixir and connecting the deck mount in its place should be easy with good instructions.

The alternative is to replace the entire power center with all the circuit breakers and fuses. That is not an easy task.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-762870.html

https://www.bestconverter.com/PD-413...ter_p_612.html

https://www.progressivedyn.com/power-converters-2/

I agree with above posts. Don't get a WFCO auto-detect model.

[Stircrazy1]

Originally Posted by Persistent

The alternative is to replace the entire power center with all the circuit breakers and fuses. That is not an easy task.

that's what I had to do with my 1991 slumber Queen with the old single stage Magnatec. it was actually very easy. the hardest part was deciding how many circuits to split the 12V bus bar into so I could lower the number of things on a fuse.

[mhbell]

Thanks everyone for the replys. I bought a Progressive Dynamics PD4135 Power converter panel. It fits the opening with a 1/2 inch shim. It support 5 110 volt circuit breakers and 6 DC fuses. Has a switch for lifepo4 battery. I removed the old ELX-25 converter labeling all wires. I should get the new panel in a few days. The install should be a piece of cake. Mel

[Paul_D]

A little late for your issue but---
If you are going to a LiFeP04 battery,

I agree with the do not buy a unit that senses the chemistry recommendation.
I'll add my suggestion - do not buy a multi-stage charger for LIFeP04.

The unit I used to replace my converter was advertised as FLA/AGM/LiFeP04 charger. Turns out it was not. It's a 4 stage FLA charger. The instructions for LiFeP04 were to adjust the output voltage for boost to 14.6 volts. Well that works for the boost phase, (generally 15 minutes or so with a 60% SOC), for the remaining phases the battery voltage is higher than the charger output. So I have to cycle the converter breaker to start the boost phase every 15 minutes or so.

Fortunately the DC-DC charger has always had the battery at 100% charge while driving to the campsite.

[mhbell]

I got and installed a Progressive dynamics PD4135 Converter Power panel. Since I labled all of the wires the install went well. I did install a Neg Ground bus bar. The PD4135 Has a switch for Lifepo4 Lithium Batteries. It will put out a constant charing voltage instead of a 4 stage charge for the lifepo4 battery. It works great. for more details on the install see the link here. Click Here
Mel

[Stircrazy1]

Originally Posted by mhbell

I got and installed a Progressive dynamics PD4135 Converter Power panel. Since I labled all of the wires the install went well. I did install a Neg Ground bus bar. The PD4135 Has a switch for Lifepo4 Lithium Batteries. It will put out a constant charing voltage instead of a 4 stage charge for the lifepo4 battery. It works great. for more details on the install see the link here. Click Here
Mel

what is the constant voltage it is putting out? is it 14.6 or the newer 14.4?

[mhbell]

I am not sure of the constant voltage. my Progressive Dynamics PD4135 is the PD4135KW2BV which has a Switch for using LiFePO4 Lithium Batteries, or Lead Acid. Note: Only models produced after January of 2021 have the Lithium switch feature. I do know that it has the Inteli-power with built in charge wizard I would almost bet that it is 14.4
Mel

[Stircrazy1]

Originally Posted by mhbell

I am not sure of the constant voltage. my Progressive Dynamics PD4135 is the PD4135KW2BV which has a Switch for using LiFePO4 Lithium Batteries, or Lead Acid. Note: Only models produced after January of 2021 have the Lithium switch feature. I do know that it has the Inteli-power with built in charge wizard I would almost bet that it is 14.4
Mel

ya my camper one has a jumper I had to find to switch it to Li. but any converter made after 2023 has the 14.4V output to comply with a couple new requirements for a manufacture of LFP batteries that doesn't use the standard cells.