Upgrading our RV BATTERY from LEAD ACID to LITHIUM with a LiTime Battery

[@SuperSushidog]

We just found your channel and subscribed. Those LI time 230ah batteries are very affordable for such a big battery with a decent sizes BMS. Five years ago, we retired, sold everything and went FT. It was the best decision we ever made. We discovered we love boondocking and quickly learned the advantages of solar. We built a 620-watt solar array on the side of our motorhome. We lift it to the optimal angle to boost its output 25-30% vs flat mounted panels, especially in the winter. It makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground. About a year ago we replaced our old worn-out lead acid golf cart batteries with a LiFePo-4 battery that we built with 8, 280ah prismatic cells. We use a Heltec 330amp (1,200a surge) BMS with a 5a active balancer to keep the cells synched up. We needed a 300+amp BMS to start the 5,500w generator on our motorhome. It cost us less than $1,500 to build this 560ah 12v, 7.1Kwh battery including the high amp BMS. For comparison, it's the same capacity as 2, Li Time 230ah batteries plus another 100ah lithium battery, but with about the same footprint of 2 GC-2 batteries like you had. We chose these cells rather than a pre-built battery, because they fit perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of GC-2 golf cart batteries used to reside, similar to your set-up. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a 1" hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging if they get too cold - or their life reduced from getting too hot. It looks like you have plenty of room inside your battery box to insulate yours if you want to. We use an 80A Progressive Dynamics LFP converter/charger, a 1,000w Renogy inverter, an Epever 50a MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This entire 12v system cost us under $3,500 to build and takes care of all of our basic off-grid needs except for air conditioning and microwave use. Take care, we hope to see you down the road!

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Wow that sounds like a legit setup! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate it :)

[@Osborn-mj4qc]

LiTime's reputation for quality and service is giving me the comfort knowing that I will have quality gear because, as I said, we rely on battery power to live our lives; remain comfortable, warm, cool, cook, etc. I am very much looking forward to installing LiTime's batteries. Thank you for your sharing.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Glad to hear that! Thanks so much!

[@charleneschmidt541]

We are happy you received the upgrade. Not an off grider but, maybe one day. Keep up the good work. Impressed with you both.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you so much!!

[@EmilPaulsen-u6f]

Very good Video, consider this to be totally safe : LiFePO4 batteries are ideally charged within the temperature range of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F). You could place 12V silicon heating mats, which switch on/off around 5 degrees Celcius .Maybe your Charger has Temp Sensors, then it is Safe as wel :). Keep these nice Video's coming :) .

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you and Thx for the info!! :)

[@Hemifan4266]

I used to stock converter on my trailer and set the solar charger to lithium. The converter will take the battery to about 85% and the solar charger takes it to 100%. No problems.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

That's great! :)

[@ken12269]

Thanks for this, I was wondering if there was any harm in using our old converter/charger. We have the same thing, a solar controller, so that should take it up to 100% once we set it to lithium. That saves me from having to replace our converter/charger - which is in a much harder to get to location than under the dinette, btw! All this stuff has to go somewhere.

[@JAYFEATHERBOONDOCKS]

Swapping converter chargers is so expensive. I actually ran stock converter and no solar from 2016 to 2021 boondocking off two battleborns it was an awesome setup even with the batteries never reaching their full potential.

[@brianj9262]

Even cheaper, buy lifepo battery cells and build your own battery. Just be sure to get a decent bms. You can get each cell over 200ah x 4. Each cell is only 80 bux. So around 300 bux you can get an 800ah battery. Lemme just say, these last forever, they are lightweight and amazing power output. You don't even need to charge fully. They run the same at any power level

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx for the info!! :)

[@googlechunkybig165]

Thanks for the vid, just been thru the same learning curve with getting a charger for a LiFePO4 lithium battery (little different from the other Li battery types too) and trawling thru online for these. Like all things, people don't know until they know, so good to see your journey 👍 we are in the uk so just have a little less choice in finding LiFePO battery accessories.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thanks so much!! Interesting to know the UK doesn't have many LiFePO4 accessories. I'm sure more will come around in the near future considering how popular they are becoming. :)

[@AJ-qn6gd]

Looking to change to lithium in our VW camper where space is obviously an issue, hoping to go longer without having to run the engine to top up the leisure battery in the winter when solar is not so great, we prefer to wild camp so no shore power. Interesting video thanks 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!! Glad it helped :)

[@neilevenden3481]

Looking for someone who has just replaced their Lead Acid Battery with a Lithium Ion Battery. All the videos I see, it is a BIG upgrade. No Inverters or major Solar package. I just want to improve my ability to use my small Trailer without Shore Power for a couple of days. Keep the Fridge controller (running on Propane) running, Water Pump and lights. No AC or Microwave or other AC needed.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Our upgrade is almost exactly that. All we did was upgrade the converter/charger. You will need an converter/inverter of some kind to convert the power from 12V DC to 120V AC.

[@seeking70]

I am just finishing up a Li Time 230 ah install on a Sprinter class C. The battery space is similar to yours. Tight fit when I added a shunt, cut off switch, fuse and bus bar, but being able to monitor it is great. Less than $600 for the battery.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Nice!! Sounds like a good setup :)

[@RVingwithG]

The reason things are harder to access is because they’re not supposed to be messed with. If you do it right the first time you won’t ever have to look at it again😮😊😊😊😊 So when you want to make your stuff more accessible, you don’t need to. Do it right the first time you’ll never have to look at it again😊

[@PacificPinesRanch]

True! I only like to have accessibility because even reliable things need maintenance/repairs sometimes and having to undo the entire sofa is kind of a pain.

[@glenlongstreet7]

WE lived in our RV for 6 years. Don't ever want to do that again. I expect that you have similar feelings. Especially the part that has a flush toilet. ;)

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Lol yes you definitely understand!!

[@80ciocc]

Get rid of the flush toilet. I did and it allowed us to combine the gray and black tank for twice the storage.

[@rodolphealmaguer8711]

Bon travail l'électricien!😅

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Merci!!! :)

[@sunline24]

Nice upgrade. I looked into putting them in my 5th wheel but couldn't justify the expense.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!! They are definitely most expensive but from what I've read the cost evens out in the end because they last longer.

[@darinroske1189]

Not sure why you are complaining about the location of the battery and electrical. They are both in great locations, much easier to access than our travel trailer.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!! It really depends on the thickness. There are some good guides online that help.

[@prestonshawngriffin]

I totally agree. My fifth wheel is a nightmare compared to this.

[@campinwill9977]

Nice upgrade, but you missed a critical item! The shunt and gauge or Bluetooth app and breakers for new power levels?

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!! We have a gauge in the RV for the battery systems.

[@craigjohnson3603]

You can use dielectric grease for the battery and all other connections to stop corrosion.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Now we do that because it definitely helps!

[@teresaslovingcare4444]

Nice upgrade!

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!!

[@wildbumbylee6731]

sneak peak on the crib looks AMAZING, wonder what the inside looks like?

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx sooo much!! Nothing finished on the inside yet, still working on the structure in real time BUT almost totally enclosed. :)

[@garybonz]

There is a product called Corrosion Block, use that. Just spray some on once in a while.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx for the tip!! :)

[@douglasdunn7267]

Does your engine start battery charge off the same system? If so, you should change that battery too. It's not good to parallel the two different types of cells. The start battery will overcharge and be damaged by the Lithium. Something to be sure of. Good luck!!

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you for the advice! :)

[@CMWobby1]

I’ve also swapped out my lead acid for lithium. However in my case I researched before buying and then use al Victron gear.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Hope it's working well for you! :)

[@garywilliams1759]

😊👍

[@robertnasser9937]

JC refrigeration has a 12 Volt or 120 volt conversion kit for your fridge to solve the fridge problem.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx for the tip!!

[@WLittle-ds9cp]

Use dielectric grease to help with the corrosion.

[@結りね]

I have 2 LiTime 100AH batteries and they're very responsive when it comes to email customer service and support.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

That is so great to hear!

[@80ciocc]

Do you plan to drive this RV? What about the alternator issue when upgrading?

[@PacificPinesRanch]

We haven't had an issue with the alternator, but we don't drive it often.

[@80ciocc]

​@@PacificPinesRanch instead of buying another product to save the alternator from overheating I hijacked a dash switch to manually operate the soleniod switch. From what I can tell the bim unit simply connects the alternator for 15 minutes then disconnects to prevent overheating. My option was free

[@80ciocc]

After reading a lot of opinions I decided to add a 40 amp max DC to DC converter.

[@benoitbenoisbenoistchaine]

Have big fridge run one amp 15 watts

[@stephencabral5409]

usally you are the sparky one with the welder.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Lol this is true

[@bjorn3947]

Crazy my converter was also damage🤔any way its a smart upgrade for the future.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you! That is strange

[@jacoe33333]

Thank you for video. Did you get the charger and inverter from Li Time or where do I get those. I have a 2006 jayco travel trailer and want to change.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you! We bought the charger/inverter through Amazon because they sold the same one we have, but compatible with lithium. I don't know if LiTime sells charger/inverters.

[@wildbumbylee6731]

HOOTIS battery handles(zip ties)@cajun country livin?

[@adriannurse1502]

Now we need an update on was the lithium upgrade worth it? Are you happy with the results? Does it really work like they say? What can you do now that you couldn't before? I just found your channel and subscribed. Do you travel at all in your motorhome or is it permanently parked?

[@PacificPinesRanch]

No problem & Thank you! It's been great for us and I am actually really happy with it. It's definitely made a difference in longevity. Most of the time the RV is parked on site, but we do take it out occasionally.

[@meseahunt]

Thanks for the video, have you done a review of the battery now that it has been used for a while now? Do you still like it? 🤠

[@PacificPinesRanch]

I haven't done and updated review but so far it's still working great :)

[@JasonWh]

If you have an inverter / charge controller already designed for AGM, you must replace it as well as it's not designed to charge lithium batteries. Don't learn the hard way like I did.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx so much for the tip!! :)

[@zeemac1241]

Put any grease on the terminal, and they will last through the winter

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!!

[@knowledge8039]

What you need to address is the charging system for lithium it could burn out inverter charging and if it is connected to your alternator burn out and if the battery disconnects destroy your alternator .I HAVE INSTALLED LITHIUM FOR WHOLE RV AND ADDRESS ALL THIS SYSTEM PROBLEMS .

[@PacificPinesRanch]

So far we haven't had that issue but thank you for mentioning it! :)

[@ghostpepperrides4805]

Buy a 12 volt refrigerator. Your new lithium will run it just fine. Does your vehicle charge your Rv battery? If so you may want a dc to dc charger to protect your alternator.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Yes it charges when we drive, but we don't drive it very often at the moment.

[@alsammak71]

hello 👋

[@alsammak71]

time 18:00

[@yonmoore]

Does your new lithium battery get charged as you drive?

[@Jokayne]

Let's hops you have a plan if they catch fire No one talks about that ...

[@LMace-su4if]

This type of battery will not catch fire. I believe you are thinking about Lithium Ion batteries, not Lithium iron phosphate batteries.

[@richardmoerke9329]

Fine and dandy. How much is all this stuff and did you get the bus bar and stuff to monitor the battery cause what I am told you can’t use anything from your old stuff to read the new battery at all. So you did all that to? Or just F it and deal with it later cause it is lot more power than you had before. I’m in the same position and don’t know what to do. Cause I can get a 150 dollar lead battery and get 3 good years or get this thing get maybe 5 plus years but for what 900 dollars I am thinking. Would like to hear more about this setup and how you think it has helped you out or not. Thank you for your time and would love to hear more information.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

We use the monitor that is on the wall and it seems to be working fine. I will try to do another video about this in the future. For now, all I can say is everything is working well and we're happy with the upgrade.

[@80ciocc]

I bought two 100ah lifepo4 batteries last month for 175 each. They are wonderful

[@Powerwinoffical]

Great video!😎 Interested in reviewing our POWERWIN BT100 1280Wh LiFePO4 Battery?

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!! Send us an email [e-mail]

[@Revelation22-13]

Matthew 7:12 King James Version 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Gods blessings over you

[@glenludwig5135]

You should have left the trays in just flipped them over. The RV is designed for tight spaces. Yours isn’t hard to get at at all. WOW what more do you want. Want it on your front seat ?

[@jasonpocklington9217]

Use victron and you will never look back

[@PacificPinesRanch]

I'll check that out! :)

[@thedailyhorn52]

🍻👍📹

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!!

[@williecovington871]

Your hair is looking great 👍

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thanks!!

[@alsammak71]

am 73 today like and share 🇰🇼

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!!

[@leif-kareeikeland5209]

Hvis dere skal være mobile med campingvogna bør dere ikke la litum batterier stå løst i trappetrinnet for de tåler ikke mye risting da kan det blikortslutnig og brann og de brannen er ikke enkle å slukke.

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx for the advice!!

[@mortenmyhrmoen7592]

🇳🇴👍👍👌

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thank you!!

[@glenlongstreet7]

Converter - AC to DC, and Charger - DC to DC with overload protection

[@PacificPinesRanch]

Thx so much! :)

[@talk2hubba]

Not layed out well. Such a waist of space....

[@PacificPinesRanch]

I find that RVs are not known to have good layouts, especially the older ones.