Just put 2x 100 Amp LiFepo4 Batteries in my Class C - now which charger to use

[okin4]

Very happy:

Just put 2x 100 Amp LiFepo4 Batteries in my Class C. Lights go on!

But I have an "old" thor Four winds from 2017 with an old fashioned Battery Charger (from alternator and from 120V to 12V lead batteries), which will not charge the LiFePo4 Batteries at the appropriate rate of 14... Volts.

--> Which "modern" replacement charger can do the job to use 110V from plug in power at campsites and the voltage from the car alternator and from solar panels to charge the 2x 100 Amp Lifepo4 Batteries properly?


By the way: I will install 500W - 1000W Solar on the roof and use a Victron MPPT 150 / 75 controller (for the solar panels only I guess?!). Wrong choice?



Is there a charger available with 3 different inputs: from Solar panels AND car alternator AND 110V campground?

I read a bit in the internet ... DC DC charger Alternator ... no 110V input ... no solar input???

I do not understand.
Thank you for your kind input form you knowledge and experience.
Peter

[twinboat]

All three systems need some kind of voltage control.

The old 120 volt converter/ charger can be replaced with a lithium compatable one.

A DC to DC charger takes the alternator output and brings that up to lithium specs but doesn't effect that chassis battery charging.

All solar panel systems use a controller, just make sure yours is lithium compatable.

[nvs4602]

I did this to our 2017 311FS Class C last year. Used a renogy 40amp DC-DC charger for the alternator. Your victron is a good choice it's good quality. Swap out the converter for a lithium compatible one. If you have the WFCO 8955 you can swap to WFCO 8955 AD-MBA or a progressive dynamics . It's a simple swap.

[Persistent]

Your post sounds like you want to add a modern inverter/converter/charger. You may be willing to buy the best and spend more to get it.

Victron systems for solar and inverting that use LiPO4 batteries are among the best. Let a certified Victron dealer design a system for you. It would not be a bad idea to let them install it for you. They can plan a system that will accommodate your future plans.

It is certainly possible for a do it yourself system, but it can get complecated. There are many inter-relation ships of those systems they can help you with.

[okin4]

Originally Posted by twinboat

All three systems need some kind of voltage control.

The old 120 volt converter/ charger can be replaced with a lithium compatable one.

A DC to DC charger takes the alternator output and brings that up to lithium specs but doesn't effect that chassis battery charging.

All solar panel systems use a controller, just make sure yours is lithium compatable.

Thank you.
Tonight it came to me there is a forth sourth of input: The Generator.
I guess to understand the situation one would have to get the whole picture as it is.
4 Inputs: Generator, Alternator, Solar, 110/120V stationary.

--> How are they handled now - how many battery charges are there now?
--> Which ones to exchange for LiFePo4 specific chargers? I guess all, because they produce under 14V for lead Batteries; no good for LiFePo4.

--> Is one single charger for all four Inputs available - if not; why not?

[okin4]

Originally Posted by nvs4602

I did this to our 2017 311FS Class C last year. Used a renogy 40amp DC-DC charger for the alternator. Your victron is a good choice it's good quality. Swap out the converter for a lithium compatible one. If you have the WFCO 8955 you can swap to WFCO 8955 AD-MBA or a progressive dynamics . It's a simple swap.

I bought the Victron 150/75 for the Solar ... that all it can do .. I guess.
-> But then I do not have a matching charger for 1. Alternator, 2. Generator, 3. 120V.
-> Do I need three (!!!!) more chargers now? Strange ...
- > Are there really no combunation chargers for at least three of the inputs? ... hard to believe?
-> What are the "WFCO 8955, WFCO 8955 AD-MBA or a progressive dynamics" for??? For charging input from ALTERNATOR only?

[okin4]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Your post sounds like you want to add a modern inverter/converter/charger. You may be willing to buy the best and spend more to get it.

Victron systems for solar and inverting that use LiPO4 batteries are among the best. Let a certified Victron dealer design a system for you. It would not be a bad idea to let them install it for you. They can plan a system that will accommodate your future plans.

It is certainly possible for a do it yourself system, but it can get complecated. There are many inter-relation ships of those systems they can help you with.

Thank you very much. I do have some technical experice ... Hence, I vuess I could install chargers myself.
BUT. I still dont get the picture.
Four possible charging inputs: Alternator, 120V, Solar, Genarator.
-> Are there now 4 differnt chargers installed in the RV???
-> Are tehre any LiFePo4 combination chargers for at least some on the inputs?
I guess nobody wants 4 chargers to replace and 4 chargers to install / be installed.

[MRUSA14]

One charger should be able to manage both your generator and shore power charging. You will need a separate DC to DC charger for your engine alternator, and a separate solar controller to control your solar charging. So, three units in all.

[BillJinOR]

Yes 3 units. Generator and shore power charging are the using same charger. All of the controllers are independent and will just “play well” with each other.
Solar controllers , 120volt charger ( can be a combined inverter charger or separate) and a way to deal with your alternator charging both your chassis standard battery and the new lithium since they require different charge profiles. Some just disconnect the crossover (chassis to house batteries capability) letting the alternator just charge the chassis battery.

[okin4]

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

Yes 3 units. Generator and shore power charging are the using same charger. All of the controllers are independent and will just “play well” with each other.
Solar controllers , 120volt charger ( can be a combined inverter charger or separate) and a way to deal with your alternator charging both your chassis standard battery and the new lithium since they require different charge profiles. Some just disconnect the crossover (chassis to house batteries capability) letting the alternator just charge the chassis battery.

Great!
Would you have any brand and modell suggestions for high quality and long lasting chargers:
1. combined Generator and shore power charging?

2. (did I undersatnd it right? combined Solar and 120V?

[okin4]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

One charger should be able to manage both your generator and shore power charging. You will need a separate DC to DC charger for your engine alternator, and a separate solar controller to control your solar charging. So, three units in all.

Thank you.
Do you have and brand and Modell suggestions for long lasting and quality chargers?

[okin4]

Here is what I found for a combination charger for Solar and Alternator (car Battery) input to LiFePo4 Batteries:
RENOGY - DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT.
BUT only good for "Max. Solar Input Voltage: 25V".
One of my Solar panels has 40V allready! In series would be 80V...

Hence, It will nor fit at all .....

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by okin4

Great!
Would you have any brand and modell suggestions for high quality and long lasting chargers:
1. combined Generator and shore power charging?

2. (did I undersatnd it right? combined Solar and 120V?

No
1 Solar charger by itself !!!
1 120 volt charger with 120volt ac input from any source … the generator or shore power.
You were thinking the generator is a separate issue .. it’s not.
This charger from shore / generator 120volt can be a combined with an inverter $$$$$ an “inverter charger” if you chose rather than have separate inverters and charger
However If you don’t need or have ? An inverter already you don’t need the combination. Just upgrade your converter/charger
What charger do you have now? WFCO ? ( some one already asked this) the same brand may be easiest to change out

[twinboat]

Generator is a substitute for shore power. Both will power your converter/charger the same.