NEW Starter And Power Queen LiFEPO4 Leisure Battery

In an effort to prevent the re-occurrence of the Air Bag module failure, I'm changing the starter battery to a more powerful one (Yuasa 5000 - 900 100Ahr) and upgrading my leisure battery to a Power Queen 100Ah LiFEPO4 battery.
▶ Product affliate link (same price, the channel receives a small commission) :
ipowerqueen.com/products/12-8...
For more information on Power Queen please click the affliate link: ipowerqueen.com/?ref=j8fefxq9
3% Off Discount for Official Website Using Code: Bob Earnshaw
▶ Support the channel and go to our shop: www.bobearnshaw.co.uk for mugs, pens, key rings and other customised merchandise.
▶ I use music from Epidemic Sound, FREE 30 day trial here :
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
▶ TubeBuddy Trial Link
www.tubebuddy.com/bobearnshaw
▶ Amazon Shop:
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/bobearn...
▶ SUBSCRIBE! / @bobearnshawmoho
Follow me, my wife Jenny, Poppy, our Westie and sometimes Tara, my sister's Cavaschon. We do Motorhome Reviews, Motorhome Days Out, Help, Hints and Tips on Motorhomes, Motorhome Tours in the UK and Europe, we visit Motorhome Shows, and spend over a third of our year living in a motorhome. In fact all things motorhome!
Please - share, leave a comment, click subscribe (it's free), click the bell icon for notifications of all our new videos on our motorhome trips, shows, events, help, hints and tips on all aspects of #motorhomes #motorcaravan #campervan
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Air Bag module issue
03:12 Power Queen LFP battery
05:27 Starter Battery upgrade
06:01 Changing the batteries
11:24 Conclusions
Contact and Follow me on
Facebook: / bobearnshawmoho
Twitter: / bobearnshaw
KZbin Channel / bobearnshawmoho
Please: DO NOT send me personal messages on Facebook, Instagram or Email UNLESS it is important.
▶ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
www.bobearnshawmoho.co.uk/2020...
▶ Video Equipment and Software:
www.bobearnshawmoho.co.uk/202...
▶ Motorhome Essential Accessories:
www.bobearnshawmoho.co.uk/202...
▶ Motorhome:
Fiat Ducato Swift Kon-Tiki Sport 574 (2019)
▶ Car:
VW Club Up! (2015)
▶ Dog(s):
Poppy, a West Highland White Terrier (2013), Tara, a Cavascon (2014), my sister's dog, who we look after occasionally.
Thanks for watching!

[@LeisureBit]

Hope all goes well with the new batteries and look forward to hearing how you get on with the lithium battery. All the best, David 👍

[@Flossy_tops]

My vehicle is 4yrs old now, but last year I had a flat starter battery which was my own daft fault. It eventually developed into the Airbag warning fault and was finally sorted out by a guy in Morecambe when passing through during a holiday. Everything is fine now and your video is a timely reminder to be thinking about a new and more powerful starter battery… We spend perhaps 50% of our time off grid. We have 2 x 105ah leisure batteries, which in the latter part of November will probably last us around 4 days. I’ve resisted splashing out on Lithium, but as the prices on lithium start to drop perhaps now is the time to consider it, and the considerable weight saving would be well worthwhile. I shall keep an interested eye out for your future reviews on the Power Queen… Thanks Bob 👍🍻

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks, always worth looking after the batteries.

[@HitchUpAndTow]

very interesting, thanks for sharing👍

[@althomas7952]

Hi Bob, I looked at changing my 2 x 95Ah leisure batteries for one lithium battery. After my extentive research I decided against it as to do correctly for optimum use the chargers have to be compatible. At the Norfolk Motorhome Show, one specialist company quoted me 2.5K for the conversion!! I decided to stick to one AGM lead acid.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Have a look at the link in the description. I suspect they were also going to change the charger as well at that price - which I would prefer to do if it was my own money.

[@pauldunne2821]

Hi Bob hope all is well , had the ECU fault last year so will speak with Chris about a possible battery upgrade over the next couple of weeks , thanks for the heads up , great stuff , take care

[@NBNatureTrailvan]

Nice one Bob. I always thought that to fit a Lithium a van would need a re- wiring Must be just some brands - I know AS had a problem with Lithiums. Fascinating. Have a good time at the show.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Working OK, so far...

[@pauldunne2821]

Hi Bob new battery fitted today by Chris and the lads , same rating as yours so hopefully we can forget about the dreaded ECU /airbag , generic fault ,good explanation of why we have the volt drop on the original Cab battery ,and why a larger amp h ,is a must ,thanks again , thanks again Brilliant

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Good, don't forget to allow some time after switching on the ignition before starting the engine though.

[@pauldunne2821]

cheers Bob , yes i have started to apply that to my switch on procedure , keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing @@BobEarnshawMoHo

[@gordonkerr5909]

Watching the video of your new lithium leisure battery and the number of unexplained fire's i don't think I could sleep at night for worrying about a potential fire hazard. I hope you and and Jenny stay safe.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Don't believe the rumour mill. Lots of motorhomes have lithium batteries, perfectly safe.

[@gordonkerr5909]

Still not convinced about lithium batteries. As long as yourself and jenny are safe that's the main thing.

[@tomaitchison8726]

Fire's what? It's just fires!

[@kevinlee3099]

Will watch this with interest. Pop in lithium without mods is for me.😊

[@roymorgan138]

Hi Bob fingers crossed you can come to some closure with the new batteries.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, hopefully.

[@fil449]

If you press and hold the settings button on the Sergent panel for a few seconds it takes you to a settings page. Scroll to the 3rd page and you can select battery type, change this to Lithium.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thank you, not on Swift Command unfortunately.

[@tomaitchison8726]

It's Sargent!

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, made for Swift by Sargent. The new panel has a selection for lithium batteries.

[@geoffmiles3479]

Cheers for info. Interesting Bob. I’m wondering what battery they fitted.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It's Yuasa 5000 - 900 100Ahr.

[@user-mv2pb4or1l]

I found this out a couple of years ago our light came on Checked the voltage on the vehicle battery And it was low So as the age of the van I decided to change the vehicle battery a very good quality one And we have not had a problem since On one of your videos when you first had this problem I did tell you what happened to us and told you that it would be the vehicle battery

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Let's hope this stops it happening.

[@user-mv2pb4or1l]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo it did mine

[@stevecope304]

Hi Bob, What make and size is the cab battery you had fitted, as our peugeot boxer has the same issue with the airbag light.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It's a Yuasa 5000 - 900 100Ahr

[@Happyinmyautotrail]

Hi Bob I’ve gone back to this vlog as I remembered you made it. What engine battery did your garage recommend please. We are looking to change ours

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It is a Yuasa 5000 - 900 100Ahr

[@Happyinmyautotrail]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thank you Bob for taking time to reply. That’s helpful :)

[@RickandHeather]

There’s no positive cover on our fiat engine battery Bob I don’t think I’ve seen one either, we got offered the same battery from Power Queen but I turned it down because our charger doesn’t support lithium and although it would partially charge I didn’t want to risk it as we off grid more than you.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Yes, I may be well buy an add on charger.

[@MyChannel-di2ho]

Hope he lithium battery is working well for you. I can’t believe I am parked up right next to a living legend 😳. Looking forward to the show tomorrow

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Well hello, not sure about the legend bit though!

[@kentish_karl8598]

I didn't have a cover on my battery positive terminal. Not seen 1 in any of the video's I've watched.

[@TimmysFavs]

I noticed Bob that when the guy changed the leisire battery to the lithium battery for you the terminals were nearest the inboard on the agm existing leisure battery. When he installed the lithium battery the two terminals were nearest the outside. Was there a specific reason for this? I know he connected the polarity correctly but was just wondering? I will check our starter battery in the morning and see what the rating is ( cranking power) I'm expecting it to be higher because we have stop / start function on our Ducato based motorhome and this always requires more power than a standard battery, thanks.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

it was just where the connections were.

[@TimmysFavs]

​@@BobEarnshawMoHoBob I've been out to check our starter battery and I couldn't see the CCA without taking the battery out. What I can tell you is though that it completely fills the battery tray where as the one you have does not.

[@webgibs]

Thanks for this Bob ..I plan to change our Swift battery to the one you bought soon ours is five years old too and also has no cover ? . Our leisure battery is under drivers seat laying on its side so don't think the Lithium one will work ?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Power Queen say their batteries should be installed upright, apart from their mini.

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo I see ...don't think there is room for upright battery under drivers seat .. so will have to stick to the gel type

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks for posting this ... when I Google the battery you had fitted it says car battery..please could you give the name of vehicle battery...if you have time ..enjoy the show wish I was there but couldn't get a dog sitter 😕

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

It's a Yuasa 5000 - 900 100Ahr

[@webgibs]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo thanks again Bob you are such a legend..so much help to us novices 👍👍

[@markwade1376]

Didn't see it in the vid Bob but was a snubber connected a cross the battery when it was fully connected to the van? Just wondering as modern electronics can be damaged by voltage spikes such as the instrument insert, things that have a constant supply regardless of ignition switch position, just wondering.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I don't know what a snubber is, but Chris has probably changed more batteries than I've had hot meals.

[@markwade1376]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo it's a capacitive device thats supposed to soak up voltage spikes caused when disconnecting or connecting a battery. I used to own a Mercedes slk which were famous for the instrument clusters packing up when the battery was replaced without one. I've used one ever since although maybe the latest electronics are more robust than they used to be but I doubt it somehow.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

OK thanks, fortunately no problem with it. The battery has been connected and disconnected a few times now by me with the Air Bag module issue and no other issues have occurred.

[@markwade1376]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo glad you're all sorted Bob, enjoying your motorhome show reviews👍

[@dezmondo123]

Did you change the battery after the second airbag ECU failure? I'm thinking of changing my starter battery too to a higher spec. I can also get hold of a new ECU module but cannot find anyone to align it to vehicle - my local garage wants £130 just to map it (15 min job apparently). Did you get your new ECU fitted/mapped straight from a dealer (average cost £700 - ouch).

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I had the Air Bag module replaced by Walton Summit Fiat Professional dealer,at a cost of around £700 before I had the vehicle battery changed. The new module has to be 'proxy aligned' with the rest of the vehicle, whereas a reset module doesn't.

[@dezmondo123]

@@BobEarnshawMoHoThanks for all your help by the way. Just ordered the same Yuasa 100Ah 900CCA battery (upgrade from 95Ah 680CCA). My battery has the same connections with no cover on the 'live' terminal either - so I assume that's how they look.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Well, hopefully we won't have any more issues with it.

[@mikecharleston7197]

Hi bob ,do you not have to let your insurance know about fitting lithium batteries, they could class it as a modification ,worth finding out for peace of mind .

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

I don't think so, otherwise I'd have to tell them about all the changes, tow bar, TV, CCTV, dash cam, LED bulbs and so on.

[@tomaitchison8726]

When I come to swap out my 2 x 120Ah SLA's for LiFePO4, I'll do it myself, and more carefully than the garage you used, very careless with positive cable. My SRNE solar controller and Victron B2B are compatible with LiFePO4/Lithium and, I just have to pull the fuse for my VSR as it will conflict with the charging regime. It will take me less time than watching this video, and what I can't understand is why you couldn't do it yourself as all you had to do was shorten a bolt?

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Southport MOT centre kindly offered to change it for me while I was there so I didn't need to do it myself.

[@suzannerockall4030]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@davetunny6452]

Hi it’s London st

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Ah yes of course, I used to live on a London Road.

[@donbrown8001]

You will need to change a few things and also how you use the van now. I’ve done loads of research about lifepo4 and even when batteries have a built in BMS you still need to do things differently. Remember the job of the BMS is to protect the battery and it might shut down the battery if it sees conditions that are unfavourable to the battery and you end up having no battery power. Don’t charge the battery at under 0 degrees centigrade Don’t constantly trickle charge your battery - lifepo4 doesn’t appreciate being constantly charged by the solar or the mains. Don’t ‘store’ the battery for long periods at 100% charge. Far better to keep it at 80% . To do this you will need a solar controller where you can set specific parameters. Don’t leave it plugged into the mains charging because of the 80% rule unless your charger can have different parameters set. You really need a “battery to battery” charger now rather than the traditional method you have on your van to protect your alternator but also to stop the battery going into shutdown if your alternator supplies a higher voltage than 14.42v. Ideally you need to change the mains charger, the solar charger and have a B2B fitted and I would recommend the use of Victron as they are configurable for the 80% and the minimum temperature issues and their “smart lithium” profile is perfect and can easily be adjusted to the 80% which can be saved as a “storeage profile”. You don’t have to bother with any of this as the standard kit on your motorhome will ‘cope’ with the new battery but if the BMS decides it’s not happy you end up with no 12v on your van or a very shortened battery life. I mention it as others may be influenced by your video to get a similar unit and need to understand the requirements to protect their investment. For your type of motorhome use I doubt you will ever notice the benefits of lifepo4 really but I guess your old leisure battery was also reaching its end of life as it’s probably the same age as the van. There is no cover on the vehicle battery as the floor area which covers the battery is plastic.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Thanks for the tips, as I said I'm thinking about getting a B2B, but interested how it copes as a straight swap.

[@donbrown8001]

I wouldn’t hang around with the B2B so you can keep the current to a safe low level when charging on the move. The BMS on this battery allows it to receive a 100amp charge. As the voltage drops on the battery and you travel then the alternator will kick out a lot of amps possibly more than the wiring on the vehicle can cope with. The BMS is there to protect the battery not your charging system.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Fortunately I don't have a smart alternator.

[@donbrown8001]

@@BobEarnshawMoHo The risk is the same with the traditional alternator

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

But I do have a 40amp fuse.