Quote:
Originally Posted by McCormickJim
I've ordered a Navion 24D.
Can I just replace lead acid batteries with Lion batteries after I receive the coach, or is there more to it than just changing out the batteries?
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Yes and no. If simply replacing your lead acid with lithium ones is all you do, you will have two issues:
1. The charger built in to your converter is not optimized for charging lithium batteries, so it won't charge past 85% generally. There is nothing wrong with that but you won't be getting all of the lithium battery's capacity. Another related issue is that lithiums can be charged much faster which limits generator run time. Replacing the charger part of your converter with a lithium specific Progressive Dynamics 80A charger solves both issues.
2. In some cases the lithium batteries can draw more current from the chassis alternator than it can safely supply long term- it overheats and destroys the windings. Evidence is scarce and with no more than 200 Ahs of lithium batteries I wouldn't worry about it. If you go up to 400 Ahs you may need to replace your BIM 160 (assuming that is what you have) with a Li BIM 225. That BIM cycles on and off to limit current from the alternator.
David
Linear Mode
