Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: 196 use of LiPo battery

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196 use of LiPo battery

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14909
Printed Date: 20 May 2024 at 2:11am
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Topic: 196 use of LiPo battery

Posted By: brandtjm
Subject: 196 use of LiPo battery
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2021 at 8:22am

I would like to switch to a LiPo battery on my 196. My current controller is a GP-PWM-30-Ul that comes with the 196. It has a setting for LiPo batteries. My question is do I need to modify anything for shorepower or when plugged into my car when traveling? Will the current setup correctly charge the LiPo under these circumstances?

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Jeff B

Replies:

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2021 at 12:35pm

Do you mean LiPo or LiFePO4? They're two different chemistries. In either case, you'll need to add a charger for that chemistry to charge from the TV.

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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats

Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2021 at 1:43pm

Originally posted by brandtjm

I would like to switch to a LiPo battery on my 196. My current controller is a GP-PWM-30-Ul that comes with the 196. It has a setting for LiPo batteries. My question is do I need to modify anything for shorepower or when plugged into my car when traveling? Will the current setup correctly charge the LiPo under these circumstances?

Without looking up that controller and assuming it is the main controller/converter in the trailer... it sounds good. Since you say that it comes (assume from the factory) with this and has a lithium setting, it sounds good again. I would double check converter spec's for lithium and battery spec's (that you wish to buy) and ensure they match (compatible).

You shouldn't have to modify anything is all else matches out.

Safe travels

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2021 at 2:09pm

I googled that model number and came up with a Go Power 30 amp solar charge regulator. There is no mention of AC charging. I would need more information to know if that is what you're talking about.

https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-PWM-25-Modulated-Regulator/dp/B0028W4P9U - https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-PWM-25-Modulated-Regulator/dp/B0028W4P9U

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: BlindMan
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2021 at 10:48am

Everything works anyway you do it. The only dif is the lipo battery requires 14.4 volts to fully charge I believe. Your normal charge convertor will charge the battery, just not to full charge, which in timew will shorten it's life. Also beware of lipo batteries in below freezing temp's you can destroy them charging.

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2022 r-pod 202

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2021 at 5:54pm

If the current converter will support a LiFePO4 battery, you are okay with shore power. However, your tow vehicle will not adequately charge the battery. I speak from experience. If you check my mods, you will see what I did, first for a 100AH LiFePO4 battery. I recently upgraded to a 200AH LiFePO4 battery.

In short, you will need a DC to DC charger that will take the power of the vehicle and boost it to the proper voltage for charging the battery. Check out the Renogy DC to DC chargers. I also installed a dedicated circuit in my Frontier for running the DC to DC charger. It isn't strictly needed, but powering the DC to DC charger needs to be done separate from just tapping into the existing RPod 12V system. It will be a case of the battery trying to charge itself, and that just does not work.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2021 at 6:55pm

I would not use the WFCO ac to DC converter/charger that comes with the rpod (assuming you have what I had and others have had) to charge a Li battery. My WFCO failed and overcharged my lead acid batteries to over 15.5V. No harm done on flooded golf cart batteries but Li batteries would overheat and possibly catch fire at that voltage. Get a converter intended for Li battery charging.

As for charging from the tow vehicle alternator while on the road, as others have said a DC/DC converter is needed. Check your existing chafing circuit, it's probabky protected by a 30A breaker at the tow vehicle battery and uses 10 gauge for the wire run. The 7 way connector isn't good for more than that anyway. So, don't get a DC/DC converter that exceeds that current rating. A 20A one would be a good choice.

Simply cut the +12V conductor on the on the trailer side of the connector and run that using 10 gauge wire to the +12V input to the DC/DC. Then run the +12v output from the converter back to the other end of the wire you cut which will feed to the trailer 12V circuits. You won't have the issue with shorting across the DC/DC input and output that StephenH refers to. The -12V conductor can be connected in common to both the input and output of the DC/DC. That should also be 10 gauge.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2021 at 7:00pm

My son changed to a Lithium battery, he found a guy that set it up for him. My son was also worried about the battery freezing, the guy sad not to worry, up north here in Canada we have a built in heater in those batteries

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If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2021 at 7:18am

Self-heating Li batteries do exist but it's not common. You can also make a heating system using a matt heater similar to what is used to keep tanks from freezing.

But the heating systems use electrical resistance elements, which consume energy and would be ok if you are on shore power, not so much if you are boondocking. And why invest in a li battery if youre not boondocking?

Much better just to put the battery in the space you will be heating with propane anyway, costs no additional energy to do that. Li batteries don't outgas like lead acid batteries do, so no issues there.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold