Changing to lithium batteries

[dillardgl]

I’m wanting to change to lithium batteries for my house batteries on my 1998 Dutch Star DP. If anyone has made this change and is willing to share information I would greatly appreciate it. I know that I will have to change my inverter charger just not sure what else. Not going to solar would just like to get away from the maintenance of lead acid and have more usable amp hrs . I know that the boost feature will nt work anymore but I am ok with that.

[SafariBen]

You probably don't have to change the charger, IF you have some other way of charging when not in use, like a smaller Li compatible charger. The existing charger is probably capable of a lot of power but will switch to float before the Li balances. A smaller charger is capable of balancing when you have no other loads in storage, once every several months, which is plenty. It's not lead that needs to be recharged fully always and ASAP.

[Persistent]

A 1998 Dutch Star DP may or may not have a modern converter/charger or inverter/charger. Needing a new lithium compatible is a good bet unless the OP posts the charger make and model number.

Method 1

• Disconnect bridge circuit to engine battery.
• Verify wiring, switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are adequate for new batteries and charger.
• Install new lithium compatible charger.
• Install new lithium battery bank.

Engine alternator will not charge new lithium and house charger will not charge engine battery.

Method 2

• Replace bridge circuit to engine with a battery to battery charger with lithium profile. This will allow charging the new lithium from the engine 12 volt system.
• Verify wiring, switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are adequate for new batteries and charger.
• Install new lithium compatible charger.
• Install new lithium battery bank.

Option: Install small maintenance charger for the engine battery.
It can be a 120 volt model you plug in, or another battery to battery charger to charge from the new lithium system. Lots of options.

[SafariBen]

Method 3 would be putting in the lithium batteries, checking the charge current from the alternator, and getting a small Li compatible charger for balancing a few times a year when not in use.



A better answer would require what model charger you have now, what kind of battery isolator you have, or propose. And what size of battery bank you're proposing.

[2003 holiday]

I did mine last year. had to change out the inverter, the controller for the generator so it would start when the power was low. But the biggest thing I found out after the fact is the Alternator was unable to keep up with charging the battery. I ended up having to replace my alternator. I am going to go to make the change in my 2015 fleetwood discovery next year. I just upgraded this year.

[sibe]

Can the pros here explain the alternator stress from lithium replacements ? ...

Second question , Genset 4000W .. will lithium start it or wire in/leave a lead acid in place..

..

[Soppy]

Originally Posted by sibe

Can the pros here explain the alternator stress from lithium replacements ? ...

Second question , Genset 4000W .. will lithium start it or wire in/leave a lead acid in place..

..

I replaced my 3 - 100ah AGM batteries with 3 - 150 ah Lithium batteries. They have no problem starting my 7000W Onan generator. You could always use your boost switch if the lithiums won't crank the generator.

[PS89]

Second question , Genset 4000W .. will lithium start it or wire in/leave a lead acid in place..

My Li coach batteries start the generator just fine.

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by sibe

Can the pros here explain the alternator stress from lithium replacements ? ...

Second question , Genset 4000W .. will lithium start it or wire in/leave a lead acid in place..

..

LifePo4 batteries have a VERY low internal resistance. That allows them to draw very high current when charging. Some means of limiting the current is often necessary. Sometimes the cable from the alternator has enough resistance.

LiTime brand 230Ah battery can draw 200A while charging. That far exceeds the alternator capacity of a Ford F53 Alternator for instance.

Most, maybe all, LifePo4 battery manufacturer recommend a DC-DC charger between the alternator and battery. I use LiTime's 60A DC-DC charger. The DC-DC charger draws ≈70A max from the alternator.

The LifePo4 battery will start the generator. The question is not whether the battery can start the generator but if it SHOULD start the generator. Engine starting motors have a VERY high current spike when the starter switch is closed and before the motor starts turning. This spike can damage the battery. Most, maybe all, LifePo4 battery manufacturers have statements in the specifications to not use their battery for starting motors.

I wired my 5.5KW generator so it starts from the chassis battery. There is no reason to start the generator with the LifePo4 battery.

There are those who disregard the installation recommendations of the battery manufacturers. They do so at their own peril.

[SafariBen]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

There are those who disregard the installation recommendations of the battery manufacturers. They do so at their own peril.

Absolutely. Starting a generator seems to work fine, but none of the battery makers allow that for most of their batteries.



Alternators are not all the same, and "batteries" are not all the same size. I suspect some Leece Neville alternators can handle 300 amps longer than a Ford alternator can handle it's maximum current. None the less, high charging current will heat up any alternator, and some will handle it longer than others, but it always shortens their life.

[Skip426]

I'll ask for clarification from the OP; .

Does your 98 DSDP have the optional 2000 watt inverter , or is it like my 99 with a separate , converter/charger and a small ( 400 watt inverter ) for the entertainment system .

Is your DS on a Spartan or Freightliner chassis ?

My 99 on Freightliner has only a 160 amp Leece-Neville alternator and , for my proposed house lithium conversion I'm looking at a DC to DC charger to protect the alternator , and an upgrade of the converter.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by sibe

Can the pros here explain the alternator stress from lithium replacements ? ...

Second question , Genset 4000W .. will lithium start it or wire in/leave a lead acid in place..

..

I am stating the 12.5k diesel generator from my 3 300ah LiFe04
Watt-Cycle batteries just fine. I also do not have a DC-DC charger to protect the alternator. But I do have a DC-DC charger to keep the chassis batteries up to full charge from the coach batteries. While the lithium batteries will accept a charge faster, they are NOT energy vampires that can suck more power than the alternator can generate. In my case the 170 amp Alternator is perfectly capable of charging up a near fully depleted 900ah AGM battery package that the Lithium batteries replaced I see little difference in charging up the lithium pack, especially since I will likely have the generator running plus the 800watts of solar panels also contributing.

[Tskadberg]

My understanding is most alternators are not designed to put out their full capacity for very long period of time before they need to cool off. This is the concern. Alternators can be pricey and hard to change out. Dc to dc chargers are relatively cheap and durable.

[dillardgl]

I upgraded my alt when mine went out to a Delco 180 that puts out 90 amp at idle.