R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Lithium Battery install ?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedLithium Battery install ?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1234 6>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Lithium Battery install ?
    Posted: 21 Oct 2019 at 3:27pm
Originally posted by podwerkz

Wow....dont get me started....

Cool

Do have to ask though... carefully mind ya... You on lithium now?
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
podwerkz View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Oct 2019 at 8:27pm
Mine is a combination system....keeping the lead acid batteries where it makes sense, (cost vs benefit) and adding lifepo4 for the additional auxiliary loads. 

If you plan to remove the lead acid batteries, and the wfco converter, and the charge line from the tow vehicle (and will be aware that the monitor panel battery indicators will be useless now) and then add a lithium compatible solar controller and lithium compatible converter charger, all done to go full lithium, you really need a STRONG case for doing so.

If you have that in mind, then go for it. But be prepared to open up your wallet VERY wide.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
Back to Top
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 7:33am
Originally posted by podwerkz

Mine is a combination system....keeping the lead acid batteries where it makes sense, (cost vs benefit) and adding lifepo4 for the additional auxiliary loads. 

If you plan to remove the lead acid batteries, and the wfco converter, and the charge line from the tow vehicle (and will be aware that the monitor panel battery indicators will be useless now) and then add a lithium compatible solar controller and lithium compatible converter charger, all done to go full lithium, you really need a STRONG case for doing so.

If you have that in mind, then go for it. But be prepared to open up your wallet VERY wide.

I thought it was you I read about in another thread that has a portable lithium similar to mine. I use mine as I believe you use yours, auxiliary power, augmenting the house system. 

 I don't even look at those panel lights anymore, I think they are useless now, especially for battery SOC.

I'm researching a couple different ways of doing this with help of a EE friend of mine to see what's feasible without breaking the bank. I'm catching up to him in a couple days. My existing lithium may get used as a proof-of-concept and decide from there how to go. My hopes was to find someone that has switched over and how they did it. So far that person has not popped up.
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 8:36am
Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

Response from WFCO
"The converter you have is not an actual lithium converter but will charge to approx.. 90 to 95%.  We do not have a direct replacement converter that is lithium at this time."

We already know it's not a lithium charger. Sorry to see they don't have a add-on or direct replacement. I'm awaiting response now from Progressive Dynamic's. Believe they do.


It does look like PD makes a drop-in replacement for the WFCO converter that will properly charge LiFePO4 batteries.

https://www.progressivedyn.com/lithium-converter-replacement-units/

The model number to replace the WFCO converter is PD4655LIV (55-AMPS). It is available here:

https://www.ltdrvparts.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=PD4655LIV
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
podwerkz View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 12:29pm
Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

 
I thought it was you I read about in another thread that has a portable lithium similar to mine. I use mine as I believe you use yours, auxiliary power, augmenting the house system. 



Mine is not portable, I physically mounted the Battle Born lifepo4 battery and associated components inside the camper...there are still 2 lead acid batteries and all of their associated components present. 

The lead acid system makes sense for powering factory installed house loads, and with nothing else to do, they run those minimal loads just fine.

The lifepo4 battery powers any additional loads that I add, such as 12v fridge, 12v fans, inverter, ham radio, laptop, etc.

I supplement the system with generators AND a solar panel system, inverter, and even more batteries in the bed of the pickup. 

I have not run out of power no matter what I choose to operate or the reduced solar input from cloudy or rainy weather conditions. And the cost was reasonable, unlike a typical full-blown 100% lithium system.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
Back to Top
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 3:27pm
Great afternoon spent with a friend that is a EE and loves a challenge. He had an 'early out' and spent it with me! Ya, thats a friend!

We went through so much it's hard to explain.. Some of which, I shouldn't.. I have an extended warranty to think about.

Can he devise a circuit to do what I wish? Yes. Can he detail it so I can build and learn from it? Yes, he's done this before and have learned so much from him. The question became if it was worth it...

Past projects we have done together have been well worth the effort and result. This one seems to be, if the responses to the questions work, just buy the unit.

This is the Promax Boondocker relabeled as the Boondocker. Reason for this one over the other is the adjustments already built in. No other component required.

Next was my first found and do believe a good unit is the: http://www.progressivedyn.com/specialty/inteli-power-pd9100l-series/
I'm awaiting an answer to learn if adjustable or if you have to buy the 'wizard' to do so. 

Reviews so far are good on both. So I see it as a choice of benefit of which.

More to come as answers come in and I review with my EE buddy first. 

P.S. Don't bother going to WFCO with questions of any technical nature. You'll get better results here! Trust me and save the frustration. 
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 3:33pm
Originally posted by podwerkz

Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

 
I thought it was you I read about in another thread that has a portable lithium similar to mine. I use mine as I believe you use yours, auxiliary power, augmenting the house system. 



Mine is not portable, I physically mounted the Battle Born lifepo4 battery and associated components inside the camper...there are still 2 lead acid batteries and all of their associated components present. 

The lead acid system makes sense for powering factory installed house loads, and with nothing else to do, they run those minimal loads just fine.

The lifepo4 battery powers any additional loads that I add, such as 12v fridge, 12v fans, inverter, ham radio, laptop, etc.

I supplement the system with generators AND a solar panel system, inverter, and even more batteries in the bed of the pickup. 

I have not run out of power no matter what I choose to operate or the reduced solar input from cloudy or rainy weather conditions. And the cost was reasonable, unlike a typical full-blown 100% lithium system.



I know you said do not push... But dude, really.. How much power do you use in a typical day? 
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 3:49pm
Originally posted by StephenH

Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

Response from WFCO
"The converter you have is not an actual lithium converter but will charge to approx.. 90 to 95%.  We do not have a direct replacement converter that is lithium at this time."

We already know it's not a lithium charger. Sorry to see they don't have a add-on or direct replacement. I'm awaiting response now from Progressive Dynamic's. Believe they do.


It does look like PD makes a drop-in replacement for the WFCO converter that will properly charge LiFePO4 batteries.


The model number to replace the WFCO converter is PD4655LIV (55-AMPS). It is available here:


Sorry, I missed this.

Your first link is what I was looking at from them. My post (I guess above now) links the unit I think is best suited for us. 
The second link is a 55a unit which I would wonder what that could possibly do since we only have a 30a system. You tell me, I'll listen.. Information aids to decision!
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 4:25pm
The question now at hand is how to address the question upon both possible choices how charging form the TV is involved. Will it be compensated accordingly or do I still need to dis-connect?

How shall I ask this?
Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander
Back to Top
podwerkz View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Oct 2019 at 5:17pm
Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

 

I know you said do not push... But dude, really.. How much power do you use in a typical day? 

Not much. That is the key to my using the word 'choose'...I CHOOSE to not use much power. So again, restating my previous position:

I have not run out of power no matter what I choose to operate...

In other words: I have enough power for everything I choose to use. 
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1234 6>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz