Anyone made the dive to Lithium and had it in four seasons?

Bert the Welder wrote:


Does the second alt still need some connection to the truck "brain" so charging is disconnected when the truck is turned off, so doesn't drain the truck batt. or is it not hooked up to the trucks "brain" at all and a stand alone automatic or manual on/off switch installed in-line?

My 2017 Ford has dual alternators as that was required for electric cabin heater, but from my research the 2nd alternator is integrated part of the system and not easy separable.
My Sprinter has electric cabin heater as well, but 250 amp alternator solves the need for more charging.
What I mentioned is that on Sprinters - owners who go that far add 2nd alternator with independent house charging system.
Again - this is for people who don't mind to spend few thousand$$ on the projects and no offence, but average Sprinter owner seems to be well better educated than average TC owner.
Bottom line - such project is not for just anybody.

Bert the Welder wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:

J.Duncan wrote:


B2B charger could you elaborate?

Battery 2 Battery charger.
Lithium batteries operate with higher voltage than truck alternator provides, so you need B2B charger and also solar charger + converter who can adjust the voltage.
Some RV owners have power obsession and Sprinters owner are generally willing to spend more money on gadgets, than TC owners.
Cover your roof with solar panels, add lithium battery bank, replace chargers with computerized system and you can easy spend 5 grands on the project.
Some owners make 2nd alternator just for lithium charging.

This use of the second alt. as a charger is interesting, especially being in the market for a new truck. So for those of us in the cheap seats and if you don't mind expanding on it:

Does the second alt get disconnected completely from the trucks systems?

Does a big ga. wire from it replace the existing charge wire from the primary alt. running back to the truck bed plug that the camper plugs into, like the standard 7-pin or is it run to a separate connector and is in addition to the stock 7-pin charging wire?

Does the second alt still need some connection to the truck "brain" so charging is disconnected when the truck is turned off, so doesn't drain the truck batt. or is it not hooked up to the trucks "brain" at all and a stand alone automatic or manual on/off switch installed in-line?

Thanks for the info. :)

This Video goes very in depth on the second alternator experiences and explains his lessons learned well.

Kayteg1 wrote:

J.Duncan wrote:


B2B charger could you elaborate?

Battery 2 Battery charger.
Lithium batteries operate with higher voltage than truck alternator provides, so you need B2B charger and also solar charger + converter who can adjust the voltage.
Some RV owners have power obsession and Sprinters owner are generally willing to spend more money on gadgets, than TC owners.
Cover your roof with solar panels, add lithium battery bank, replace chargers with computerized system and you can easy spend 5 grands on the project.
Some owners make 2nd alternator just for lithium charging.

This use of the second alt. as a charger is interesting, especially being in the market for a new truck. So for those of us in the cheap seats and if you don't mind expanding on it:

Does the second alt get disconnected completely from the trucks systems?

Does a big ga. wire from it replace the existing charge wire from the primary alt. running back to the truck bed plug that the camper plugs into, like the standard 7-pin or is it run to a separate connector and is in addition to the stock 7-pin charging wire?

Does the second alt still need some connection to the truck "brain" so charging is disconnected when the truck is turned off, so doesn't drain the truck batt. or is it not hooked up to the trucks "brain" at all and a stand alone automatic or manual on/off switch installed in-line?

Thanks for the info. :)

J.Duncan wrote:


B2B charger could you elaborate?

Battery 2 Battery charger.
Lithium batteries operate with higher voltage than truck alternator provides, so you need B2B charger and also solar charger + converter who can adjust the voltage.
Some RV owners have power obsession and Sprinters owner are generally willing to spend more money on gadgets, than TC owners.
Cover your roof with solar panels, add lithium battery bank, replace chargers with computerized system and you can easy spend 5 grands on the project.
Some owners make 2nd alternator just for lithium charging.

I think he means dc to dc charging. I have them, but in Phoenix we only have 2 seasons...maybe high 20s on a rare occasion. I insulated the battery compartment door so the batteries stay about the same as what I have the heat set to.

Kayteg1 wrote:
We have few members here, who are using them, but I see TONS of members on Sprinter forum who debate the setups to death.
Seems B2B charger is the biggest issue.
I read those topics trying to get on technology bandwagon, but so far my $100 batteries work fine and I have no plans to spend thousands.
Still waiting for the prices to drop.. by like 5-fold.
For Sprinter topics go HERE

B2B charger could you elaborate?

Congrats on the new to u camper, anyway. Planning on a new NL 10-2 in the close future and looking at lith's as well. I like that they've go to a single big compartment rather then the two separate box design. I'm just not to bright when it comes to electrical stuff so need to get info on if the charger, etc is Lith compatible AND any good at it, or just, "yeah, it'll do it...."

Waiting for the prices to drop. If you can use your old batteries, keep on doing that and save your pennies for replacements.

If you have the money and an appropriate way to recharge...go!

We have few members here, who are using them, but I see TONS of members on Sprinter forum who debate the setups to death.
Seems B2B charger is the biggest issue.
I read those topics trying to get on technology bandwagon, but so far my $100 batteries work fine and I have no plans to spend thousands.
Still waiting for the prices to drop.. by like 5-fold.
For Sprinter topics go HERE