Basics of Lithium conversion... I'm lost!
I did a search and it's mostly Greek... to me. I'd like to know the key points for, hopefully, a straight across lead/acid to lithium conversion. My old Flow-Rite watering system just overflowed 2 c...
Forum Discussion
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The art of satisfying the need.
I examine the requirements as put forth by the customer. Then match it is closely as possible. But I constantly keep in mind that a city taxicab seldom needs Y rated 200 mph tires.
The strong points for absorbed glass mat batteries are an ability to absorb abuse, easy to achieve maintenance and usage care and feeding, and absence of corrosion and need to add water.
Lithium technology allows for no "oops". A mistake can be fatal. Special charging algorithms are vital. Special monitoring metering and self education is called for.
Lithium does not have an equal for long term wilderness camping where fully recharging the batteries cannot be easily or conveniently achieved. Running the generator for several hours need not include calculations or planning. Running out of power is a lesson well learned.
Each type of battery has its strong and weak points. Focus on these points and not on invariably biased personal opinions. Some I've read are similar to recommending a McLaren as a commuter car.
Unless a camper is a long term jungle basher lithium batteries may be more useful as a bragging status symbol than an actual advantage.
To me, weight savings is a hollow advantage. Simply pack less krap.
A Rolex tells the same time as a Timex.
There is a surprising advantage of a Lifeline battery over lesser AGM batteries. Same with Rolls & Surrette flooded batteries versus economy flooded batteries.
I am not sure this is really accurate. Drop in lithium with an integral BMS protects against just about any "oops" I can think of. You can run them all the way flat, leave them on equalize by mistake, even short circuit them, and they will be fine. Same deal for a DIY pack, as long as the BMS is configured correctly.
As for 'special charging', any charger that will get the pack up to ~14 - 14.4V is fine, they don't require nearly as complex a charging regime as lead acid.
The price of lithium is plummeting, and the upfront costs of DIY lithium is on par with AGM.
