batteies

Grit dog wrote:
^No, say it ain’t so….lol.

Don't blame you for lol. For folks like yourself that visit here often, yeah, replies like this get redundant. However, it's a simple theme---numbers trump words and stickers. Bears repeating because it comes up often. If I can save one person $200, it's worth it.

^No, say it ain’t so….lol.

It's a common fallacy that a so-called "Lithium/Lifepo4 Approved" converter must be used to charge Lifepo4 batteries. Absolutely, not true. I posted this in another thread:

. . . arguably one of the better general-purpose, non-programmable charging platforms for a lifepo4 (as long as no charge/equalization mode exceeds 14.6v) is a 3-stage *lead-cell* 13.2v/13.6v/14.4v converter. It even has the advantage of a 13.2v float and more conservative 14.4v bulk vs. some of the 2-stage 13.6v/14.6v Lithium/Lifepo4 Approved converters.

. . . there will always be some debate about the best float/absorption/bulk voltages to use with a multi-stage converter to best charge a lifepo4. However, you'd be hard-pressed to find much debate about the best one, single voltage to both float and bulk charge a lifepo4. Why? Because such a voltage simply does not exist. This is why a single-stage (single/one voltage) 14.6v converter (even though Lithium/Lifepo4 Approved) is the worst possible charging platform for a lifepo4.

Claims that a given converter/charger is "Lithium/Lifepo4 Approved" are simply marketing ploys which tell you absolutely nothing about how well or safely it will charge and maintain your lifepo4 battery. The number of stages, and the voltage used by a converter to support each of these stages, ultimately determines how well a given converter will properly maintain (and charge) a lifepo4 battery.

AllegroD wrote:

ck1246 wrote:
2004 Keystone Rapter

Year make and model of your TT is not enough. It is enough to say that if you have the original converter, you probably do not have a lithium setting.

What make & model of converter do you have?

What type of camping do you do? This is important, as cold and heat affect lithium charging. I would continue to get smart on lithium batteries and their discharge/charge requirements, as well as heated lithium batts, before deciding on a brand/model of lithium batt.

Good advice. Very wise to learn up on the lithiums. They are not cheap. They require some special attention. Given your style of camping are they worth the extra money? The lithiums could be around for 15 plus years. Will your trailer still be around in 2038? Are you an extended traveler on the road for months at a time & often dry camping or are you a weekend warrior always connected to shore power & not needing anything more than the basics in a battery bank?

As others have said it depends on the converter... Generally a standard RV converter will never properly charge a LI battery but.. The problem is the word "Generally" some of them will fully charge them and some more than that.

Considering the cost of a good set of LI batteries and the cost of a replacement LI-Profiled Converter from Progressive Dynamics ... I'd upgrade the converter (But keep the old one just in cuss)
This one is $360 from Battle Born Batteries.. IF you search "Converter" on their web site you will find several other options

PD 4575 at BattleBorn

ck1246 wrote:
2004 Keystone Rapter

Year make and model of your TT is not enough. It is enough to say that if you have the original converter, you probably do not have a lithium setting.

What make & model of converter do you have?

What type of camping do you do? This is important, as cold and heat affect lithium charging. I would continue to get smart on lithium batteries and their discharge/charge requirements, as well as heated lithium batts, before deciding on a brand/model of lithium batt.

2004 Keystone Rapter

Hi ck1246,

Welcome to the forums.

What is themake and model of existing converter?

Which Li batteries are you considering?

Most likely your RV is set up for flooded batteries and doesn't have a lithium profile setting. The best option is to add a DC-DC charger that has a lithium setting for charging from both the AC charger and the alternator. This applies to trailers also as they are charged by the tow vehicle alternator. Solar is a third possible charging source.

MHs with 2 different type battery banks present additional changes for charging. Maybe as posted above, but it could also be an expensive lesson.

Maybe. Probably. What converter do you have? If it has a lithium setting, it will work but if not it may, if you can create a custom profile for charging.

There are also other issues. What rig do you have? How you charge may be affected by that.

Provide as much info as you can so folks can provide an informed answer.