Installing Lithium Batteries In The RV - Affordable LiFePO4 Unowix Batteries - RV Lithium Upgrade

[@HappyPlaceDiaries]

Great video. We are putting in Unowix lithium in our new Montana. Looking forward to having them on board. Nice explanation Lou! Thanks

[@RVHabit]

Hi Jerry, That's awesome. You will love the extra capacity from the lithium.

[@daviscrt]

Nice video. A lot more power to use than the lead Acid batteries. I switched over to lithium about 2 years ago. Thanks Don

[@RVHabit]

Hi Don, Yes been wanting this upgrade for a long time.

[@DeFiDuke]

@@RVHabit hi I have a very similar setup with the lead acid suckers under the step.. just like yours they were series 6volt.. so I went ahead and got 3 litime "mini" 100ah lifepo4 and was wondering if I can fit 3 under the step - is everything else the same, parrallel and shunt? thanks!

[@RVHabit]

The number of batteries should not affect how everything works. batteries that are 6 volt are wired differently than 12 volt batteries.

[@DeFiDuke]

@@RVHabit correct I will need to wire them parallel

[@greghall9006]

I love this series on lithium batteries. You are very thorough and explain the process perfectly. The tip on using two lithium batteries to start a generator was some valuable information. Thanks. 👍😃

[@RVHabit]

Hi Greg, Thanks so much.

[@johndodi]

Real nice getting 200 amp hours from the two new 100 ah batteries compared to my two 100 ah lead acid batteries getting only 100 amp hours at 50% draw down.

[@RVHabit]

Yes this was a great upgrade and the batteries will last years.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@sokbattery]

Great video!!

[@RVHabit]

Thanks!

[@scrub175]

Great video series, thank you. With your improved charger output to the lithium batteries was there ever a concern about the wire gauge since there was an amp increase being sent to the batteries. I would assume the manufactures would size the wire gauge properly to the max amp output of the converter/charger rather than the nominal amp output for lead acid. I’m considering the switch and don’t want to introduce any problems. Thank you very much.

[@RVHabit]

Yes i replaced my 60 amp converter charger with a 60 amp lithium converter charger. Never install a larger converter than the one being replaced unless you can make sure the wiring can handle it. Great question. Thanks for watching.

[@johndodi]

Lou, how’s the Ford alternator holding up keeping the new lithium batteries charged up as you drive down the road.

[@RVHabit]

So far so good but I don't like that the lithium converter charger keeps the chassis battery at 14.3v. The BIM keeps the chassis battery charged also. Too high in my opinion for a lead acid battery. I have ordered a Progressive Dynamics Lithium BIM to install. Should be here next week and I will have an install video the following week.

[@johndodi]

Thanks for the info. Does sound a bit high on the voltage going to the chassis battery

[@RVHabit]

Yes the lithium converter charger only knows to charge up to 14.3 for lithium. The BIM is what regulates the charging of the chassis battery. The new Progressive Dynamics BIM will regulate the charging of the chassis battery and also only let the alternator intermittently charge the coach batteries when driving so as not to overheat the alternator.

[@johndodi]

Hi Lou, I’m still doing old school with my two lead acid batteries in my Forester. I was wondering did you have do anything with the Battery Control System? Or just leave it connected to the new lithium batteries and the engine alternator when driving the rv?

[@RVHabit]

Hi, I actually had a part about that in the video that I edited out due to time. Yes, there is a lithium BIM to replace the current BIM however after researching it most of what I found is the current BIM will be fine with one or two LiFePO4 batteries and the alternator should handle things fine. I do plan to upgrade to the Precision Lithium BIM but that is down the road. For now, I think I should be ok.

[@johndodi]

Thanks for letting me know about The BIM.

[@junktinker]

did you ever up grade the BIM Im see more video of people not adding just wonder if you didn't how its worked out for you. Thanks@@RVHabit

[@RVHabit]

@@junktinker I did replace the BIM. I felt is was good insurance on protecting the alternator. I did a video on the BIM replacement. You can see it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ena7e2aKnKaAack

[@marcosmireles8432]

Thanks for the videos, they're helping out a lot. Question, did you charge the batteries before running everything? My inverter is giving me a E03 code with means to disconnect and charge batteries.

[@RVHabit]

Yes I fully charged the batteries prior to install.

[@marcosmireles8432]

Did you charge the batteries separately or did you connected to AC electrical outlet

[@RVHabit]

Just charged them separately with a 120v battery charger.

[@NosRoadtripsenmotorise-xm4kz]

Hello, I want to replace the batteries of my motorhome for a 300ah lithium. I bought the victron isolated smart dc-dc 12v 30 amps. Can I connect the victron changer with the wires coming to my auxiliary batteries (by adding a 60 amp fuse protection at the input to the output) now to my new lithium without modifying the old installation...

[@RVHabit]

Hi, obviously I can't diagnose a problem here however if you have done all the testing in the video you may have an issue with the control board. Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZjOXqmXe6lnock

[@RVHabit]

Sorry I answered the wrong question originally. You have to determine complete length of wire run and the amp load. Then use a wire gauge chart to ensure your within spec.

[@Michael-wg1mt]

Once you installed your lipos, did you upgrade your BIM to a LiBIM, if so what did you use.

[@RVHabit]

Hi Michael, I have not upgraded the BIM. I was led to believe up to two lithiums (200amp) you may or may not upgrade the BIM. I will eventually upgrade to the Precision Circuits LI BIM 225. amzn.to/3DOytM2

[@philc.9280]

You could have also gotten a 200 AH or 300 AH in one case as the Lifepo4 batteries are dropping in price considerably. Less wires and less space too.

[@badharryshideaway3665]

I am looking to do this to my motorhome also, but I have a concern. When you change the charger to lithium what happens to the lead acid chassis batteries as they are also charged when you are plugged into shore power from the same charger.

[@bobkantor4695]

FWIW, in my Winnebago Fuse, shore power does not charge my chassis batteries. Of course, your situation may be different.

[@crrassh]

Did you have do to anything with engine alternator for charging battery, it didn’t overload alternator did it? Thanks

[@RVHabit]

It does want to charge the coach batteries and when plugged in to pedestal it does bring engine battery up to 14.3v. No problems yet but I will probably install a new BIM by Progressive.

[@crrassh]

@@RVHabit did you think of a renogy dc/dc smart charger ? Or is the bin a better way to go

[@RVHabit]

A BIM allows me to keep the emergency start switch I have but if that's not an issue a DC to DC charger would work fine.

[@crrassh]

@@RVHabit so if you use a dc to dc the emergency start won’t work I didn’t know that that is a good option to keep. How much are the bin things run. Thanks for help

[@RVHabit]

I believe they are about $170ish. Just search Precision Circuits BIM Lithium and numerous places sell them.

[@andypsuik8783]

When your charging your lithium does the amps drop as it charging or does it keep at 42? Mine started at 44 and slowly drops as charging. Thanks

[@RVHabit]

Hi Andy, I have 200 amps of battery bank. When charging it increases unless I am using more amps than the converter charger can replace.

[@andypsuik8783]

​@@RVHabit I have a 140 battery and it started at 44amp and then went to 36 then to 20amp

[@andypsuik8783]

​@@RVHabit I called wfco the manufacturer that makes my charger for my motorhome they say it isn't switching over to lithium battery. They say it has to have updated because mine is supposed to be auto detect what kind of battery to charge.

[@RVHabit]

Yes I have heard of the wfco auto detect model. I have progressive dynamics which is manually switched to lithium. Good luck

[@andypsuik8783]

@@RVHabit ya I wish mine just had a switch that would be a lot simpler. Thanks

[@johndodi]

One other question. My two old lead acid 12 v 100 ah batteries need to be replaced. Can one lithium battery do the same as two lead acid.

[@RVHabit]

Technically yes because you can use 100 percent of a 100 Amp hour lithium compared to only 50 percent of the capacity of a lead acid. However if you have a generator you may need two lithiums to start it as lithium does not have cold cranking amps like a lead acid does.

[@johndodi]

Thanks for letting me know.