I want to add lithium to my travel trailer. I have researched it and can't understand what is the best way to go. Do I upgrade just the charging part or entire distribution panel, what parts would I need.

Li charging is unique and for the best results use a good lithium compatible charger. Many may say WFCO isn't a good charger even for flooded.Consistent with WFCO the wiring may be to small for the lenght and you might want to upgrade the wiring from the charger to the LI battery. Locate the charger closer to the battery if you can. Fuse any new wiring. Then depending upon you "new" power needs other wiring updates could be considered. There are a lot of variables depending upon what you want to accomplish now and perhaps in the future.

Li charging is unique and for the best results use a good lithium compatible charger. Many may say WFCO isn't a good charger even for flooded.Consistent with WFCO the wiring may be to small for the length and you might want to upgrade the wiring from the charger to the LI battery. Locate the charger closer to the battery if you can. Fuse any new wiring. Then depending upon you "new" power needs other wiring updates could be considered. There are a lot of variables depending upon what you want to accomplish now and perhaps in the future.

Lithium is not that different. Most "lithium" converters are actually not the best for lithium batteries.The existing WFCO might work fine even if not perfect. Will not harm the lithium. Charging might be a little slower but will still far exceed lead-acid. Might short charge the lithium to maybe 90% - 95% which will not harm the lithium one bit. Might even last longer.

Thanks,this lithium upgrade is a challenge for the brain.

So far, my experience with LiFePO4 has been that the non lithium rated converter has kept the battery at full charge. My TT is always connected to power in storage so extra charging time hasn’t mattered. I did buy and initially use a standalone battery charger to make sure it got the full voltage needed to equalize the cells occasionally. As long as the stock converter voltage is higher than the battery, it will continue charging. A lithium capable converter puts out higher voltage and amperage to charge the battery faster. I’ve since installed 200 watts of CIGS solar panels with a solar controller (previously had free standing panels) that keeps the batteries topped off. I have no plans to replace my converter unit. I did research that. About $240 or so for the WFCO converter and install didn’t seem to hard for a semi-knowledgeable DIYer. On my power center, its the metal box attached below the fuse box.

Wfco8930/50 | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 01, 2023
You can keep the panel and just upgrade the converter.
I was looking at the same thing with our old toyhauler but then I fixed the converter with a for sale sign….so never got to actually do it.
It’s a relative drop in replacement
Rickyrocket
Explorer
Oct 01, 2023
I appreciate all the input however Im still stuck on exactly what needs to be replaced. Do I completely get rid of the wf8930/50 fuse panel and charger,just the charger portion? If so with what model,surely someone has been down this road. This travel trailer has 1 slide,a 12 volt only fridge, awning is 12 volt so I need a charger to keep up with usage and prefer to do it one time only.
Huntindog
Explorer
Sep 29, 2023
That is a BIG IF
All the LA converters I have seen will only do bulk mode for a set amount of time. If it is a WFCO, they are usually stuck at 13.6 regardless of what their manual states. There are ways around it.(except for WFCOs) but none of them are user friendly in that one MUST do something each time to make it work. I have better things to do than hovering over batteries. Converters are cheap. just get the correct one and it will take care of itself.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 29, 2023
If the LA charger goes 14.2 to 14.6 volts the lithium will be at 100%.
Most do charge at this level.
Huntindog
Explorer
Sep 28, 2023
Using a standard LA charger on Lithium batteries in a mutiple day boondock situation results in 62% charge. Several on multiple forums have replicated this finding..... Now if you are on hookups, it will get to 100% given enough time... But on hookup negates the need for a better battery.

For solid performance, I recommend Progressive Dynamics.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Sep 25, 2023
time2roll wrote:
Lithium is not that different. Most "lithium" converters are actually not the best for lithium batteries.
The existing WFCO might work fine even if not perfect. Will not harm the lithium. Charging might be a little slower but will still far exceed lead-acid. Might short charge the lithium to maybe 90% - 95% which will not harm the lithium one bit. Might even last longer.

unless you have a battle born, they are telling people now that a normal charger will harm the battery on different forums. I can see their point also, if you never charge above 95 that means you never top balance so over time your cells can drift.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 24, 2023
Rickyrocket wrote:
Wow thanks for the info I am struggling with the 84 Amp hr.lead acid battery and I plan to upgrade to a lithium in the spring, my travel trailer came with the 12v only fridge that drained the battery in about 4 hrs. We have a huge state park with no hookups here and w/o good battery life it is rough. I don't like having to run a generator for hours.
Need a propane fridge or 600+ watts solar on the roof and park in good sun.

Probably help to know the fridge make and model# to explore operations or upgrades.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 24, 2023
Recommend you do a energy audit to determine your usage and then you will have a goal to what you want. But certainly you can install a Li and see what happens. Just keep in mind that there is no free prower with Li, what you use has to be replaced just like flooded.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 24, 2023
Likely a starting battery. 2x GC2 would provide 220Ah.

For minimum gen time with a Li battery you need a good charger that's designed for Li. Flooded battery chargers are 3 stage and many hours are required to fully charge plus best if only discharged to 50%. Li can be discharged to 20% or even lower. Then with a compatible charger they can take the full charge to 100%.

WFCO are well known to not charger to the absorb state (about 14.4V) so sure they will charger a Li overnight for example. There may be some models and/or installations that do better so understand what you have and what you want to accomplish.
Rickyrocket
Explorer
Sep 24, 2023
Wow thanks for the info I am struggling with the 84 Amp hr.lead acid battery and I plan to upgrade to a lithium in the spring, my travel trailer came with the 12v only fridge that drained the battery in about 4 hrs. We have a huge state park with no hookups here and w/o good battery life it is rough. I don't like having to run a generator for hours.

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