Help in Florida with lithium batteries and alternator charging

[jerillynclark@yahoo.com]

I am in Crystal River, FL and can't find ANYONE that knows how or if my alternator can be hooked to my alternator and how to install lithium batteries that I'd like. I now have a 12V deep cycle marine battery and the van is already built out. Crystal River is one hour north of Tampa and I am will to travel for help!

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

Maybe check with Cribbs RV on W Homosassa Trail. I stopped there once looking for specific washer for a WD hitch. It wasn't a part that could be purchased separately. The super nice guy there happened to have one and gave it to me.

 

[jerillynclark@yahoo.com]

Thank, I will do that today!

 

[SteveJ-ClassB]

I hear good things about Sunshine in Gainsville, though I've never been there.

The dealership has a heavy emphasis on class B units and were/are a Roadtrek dealer.

 

[Beckerdvm]

I second Steve's comments on Sunshine State RV. I have traveled 2 1/2 hours several times to go there and they are very knowledgeable and fair. I highly recommend them.

 

[bwatters60]

I third Steve's comments on Sunshine State RV. I live in TX but scheduled a blank tank repair while traveling to my son's in FL and all things considered they were very good! I highly recommend them too! 08 Roadtrek 210

 

[Dougm38]

Sunshine State RV in Gainsville, Fl

 

[Johnnyfry]

Typically for a LiFePO4 conversion you will need to install a DC/DC charger in order to avoid overloading the alternator. The Li battery has a much lower charging impedance than your present lead acid chemistry. Basically it means that the Li cells will attempt to draw much more charging current from the alternatoe than the old batteries. There are several manufacturers of DC/DC chargers: Renogy (which is what I use), Victron, Redarc come to mind.

 

[coss370]

If you need 80a charging, you need a second alternator. If you are doing 20-40 you can do a dc to dc one. Second altnetator for sprinter is $2k

 

[MrMyagi]

I was surprised

I bought all the fancy DC to DC charger and materials ready to hook up to my lithium battery bank to be installed. I told my friend who is an electrical expert, no, he is a genius. He told me I didn’t need it. Said something about the size of the wire from the alternator to the battery bank would prevent the alternator from being overtaxed. Said to just hook them together and leave it be. In a leap of faith I did just what he said. I’ll be darned, thing has been working perfectly for 20,000 miles. Alternator is just doing fine. My Victron monitor shows the alternator charging the batteries very well. So, I guess my friend was right. Not going to tell you who he is but he is the owner of a major brand of lithium battery and has decades of experience in the RV industry. He’s a real nerd too. Just throwing it out there.

 

[rowiebowie]

I bought all the fancy DC to DC charger and materials ready to hook up to my lithium battery bank to be installed. I told my friend who is an electrical expert, no, he is a genius. He told me I didn’t need it. Said something about the size of the wire from the alternator to the battery bank would prevent the alternator from being overtaxed. Said to just hook them together and leave it be. In a leap of faith I did just what he said. I’ll be darned, thing has been working perfectly for 20,000 miles. Alternator is just doing fine. My Victron monitor shows the alternator charging the batteries very well. So, I guess my friend was right. Not going to tell you who he is but he is the owner of a major brand of lithium battery and has decades of experience in the RV industry. He’s a real nerd too. Just throwing it out there.

His advice sounds a bit crazy, but after 20,000 miles, if you haven't burned up your alternator, wires, or ruined your lithium batteries I won't argue with success.

 

[MrMyagi]

Yeah, I agree. I was extremely skeptical too. Thankfully, it has worked great. I will have to research his theory that the size wire used would naturally limit the charge rate.

 

[markopolo-ClassB]

How long have the LFP batteries been installed like that?

An '07 RT likely has 4AWG wire from the front and 80A circuit breaker (two 40's). The 'current limiting device' could very well be the parallel 40A breakers. If so, maybe carry a spare in case it fails.

 

[jb1965]

Although I have only ever owned my current rig which has the second alternator dedicated to powering just the four house batteries versus an installed generator. System also allows the use of the rear AC or heat pump while the engine is running. In my humble opinion you should look to adding a second alternator or replace current one with a larger capacity to operator both the engine battery and the RV battery.

 

[Calson]

Lithionics is headquartered in Clearwater Florida and I found them to be exceptionally helpful and quick to respond to emails and phone calls when I was research installing their 125AH lithium phosate batteries. The have a 125AH battery as compared to the other companies 100AH lithium batteries and I wanted as much capacity as possible from my two house batteries.

 

[jb1965]

Lithionics is headquartered in Clearwater Florida and I found them to be exceptionally helpful and quick to respond to emails and phone calls when I was research installing their 125AH lithium phosate batteries. The have a 125AH battery as compared to the other companies 100AH lithium batteries and I wanted as much capacity as possible from my two house batteries.

I am looking into upgrade into lithium in the future so I have to ask did you install yourself? What other upgrades went with the new battery?

Thanks

 

[Calson]

Fortunately the solar charge controller and the Xantrex inverter/charger already had settings or charge profiles for lithium phosphate batteries so only the setting needed to be changed. I also added a Precision Circuits lithium BIM between that controls current from the chassis batteries to the house batteries.

My RV had the batteries open to the air and so I enclosed the compartment and added 1 inch panels (polystyrene from Lowe's) to insulate and to keep the batteries free of road grime.

I chose the Lithionics as theirs is a 125AH with 25% more capacity that then other lithium batteries although they do cost quite a bit more. I went from functionally 100AH of capacity with the two Group 31 FLAT batteries to more than 200AH with the lithium ones from Lithionics.

 

[jb1965]

Carlon

Thanks for the info!