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Topic: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4 (Read 558 times) previous topic - next topic

Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

I want to change the house batteries to lithium as mine are bad. I will do what Tom did for stage 1 Changing flooded lead acid batteries to lithium batteries  and will go with the 12-12/30A Victron Orion-Tr Smart Non-Isolated DC-DC Charger Victron Orion-Tr Smart Non-Isolated DC-DC Chargers

Question
1- Where can I get the Xantrex setting for changing the battery type?
2- Will the DC-DC charger charge the start batteries on shore power too?
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #1 –
Which Xantrex do you have? The SW 2012 has a custom setting in the menu and you put in the info that the battery manufacturer give you.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #2 –
Xantrex gel setting will do just fine with lithium.  It sets float at 13.8 vs 13.67 that a Victron will do.  Your new batteries will do just fine.  Went for 4 years with the old Xantrex ProSine 2500 untill we switched out to a Victron.  1600 AH of lithium are living just fine.  Make sure equalize is OFF.  Your battery BMS is the ultimate arbiter of the charge profile.
Jerre and Kathy Griffin
2003 U320 4220 Special
Build # 6207
2022 RAM Laramie 4X4 EcoDiesel
2002 Country Coach Magna 37 Tag- Forever Coach-Died in fire 7/23
1997 Country Coach 32 Intrigue-No slides-Wonderful

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #3 –
Quote from: craneman –
Which Xantrex do you have? The SW 2012 has a custom setting in the menu and you put in the info that the battery manufacturer give you.

It's the Prosine 2500.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #4 –
Quote from: DaBus –
Xantrex gel setting will do just fine with lithium.  It sets float at 13.8 vs 13.67 that a Victron will do.  Your new batteries will do just fine.  Went for 4 years with the old Xantrex ProSine 2500 untill we switched out to a Victron.  1600 AH of lithium are living just fine.  Make sure equalize is OFF.  Your battery BMS is the ultimate arbiter of the charge profile.

Good to hear, that is the one I have.

Anyone know the answer to question 2?
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #5 –
The Victron Orion is a alternator  only unit so it will not work for shore power.  You will need some sort of echo charger to go from your inverter/charger (house bank) to your chasis battery.  Or use your boost switch if you have one, though that has some inherent problems if shore power goes out.
Jerre and Kathy Griffin
2003 U320 4220 Special
Build # 6207
2022 RAM Laramie 4X4 EcoDiesel
2002 Country Coach Magna 37 Tag- Forever Coach-Died in fire 7/23
1997 Country Coach 32 Intrigue-No slides-Wonderful

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #6 –
I use a second Victron B2B to charge my start batteries (Lithium house to start). It is the smaller B2B Orion 12|12|18 amp. You can set it up for the exact voltages for bulk, absorption and float needed by your conventional start batteries.  All other echo chargers assume your coach batteries are conventional. The AmplStart was capable of lithium to conventional but it went out of business.

Been using it for 19 months no complaints. We boondock enough to make it worthwhile. You can set a low voltage cut off to keep from over draining your house batteries. I installed it in the electronic  area at foot of bed where my transfer switches live. I connected it through a couple breakers so I can isolate it when messing with start batteries or coach batteries.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #7 –
Sterling Power makes B2B that are two way. 
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #8 –
There seems to be trend here to make things more complicated than needed. In reality Lithium batteries are much easier to charge and the built in BMS makes things even easier. Limit charging current t the batteries based on power/current available and set/limit voltage to 14.4 to 14.6 volts, and you are done. The BMS will limit current further. After full charge go to low float voltage 13.2 to 13.6 or better yet stop. No longer needed is the absorption stage or equalization charges. With these voltages a combining relay can be sued to charge the chassis batteries. I have also seen system where an AGM was part of the lithium house battery package to maintain operation when the BMS turned off or to support cold weather or even generator-engine starting.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #9 –

Another question-

These Power Queens are on sale today for $399 which his $100 off. Amazon.com: Power Queen 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 Battery with Built-in 100A BMS,...

They also have the Plus for $424 which is also about $100 off https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Battery-Lithium-Lifespan-Perfect/dp/B09FSYCXGS

Power Queens get great reviews from what I have researched.

The only difference is the first has a 100A BMS while the Plus has a 200A BMS. I plan on getting 2 or 3 of them. Is the 200A BMS worth it or will the 100A BMS suffice. I don't have solar but would add it down the line.

Thanks.

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Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4 The BMS

Reply #10 –

The major difference between the standard and Plus is the BMS. The standard BMS is limited to 100 amp discharge, the plus 200 amp. If using for generator starting or to power an inverter you want the higher capacity BMS.
Look at some of the other brand options. I went with LIPULS.

Amazon.com: LIPULS 12V 280Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery, Built-in 200A BMS,...

Note the favorable dimensions.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Couple questions on converting house batteries to LiFePO4

Reply #11 –
Funny you should mention size, I was thinking about asking a question related to that. A lot of these lithiums seem to be close to an 8D, somewhere in the 20.75 to 20.94" . The Oreilly lead is 20.75 per spec. However, my tray is 19 3/8", so they must take into consideration the handles. Are the base of the lithiums 19 3/8" or less? I don't want to mess with lengthening the tray. The Power Queens are 20.94" so it seems like it would be a gamble if they would fit. Some of these have no return policies on Amazon due to hazmat, so I'd like to get it right the first time.

I also have been looking at Lipuls and like what I see. The concern with those is the posts are on different ends, that won't work for me, I need them on the same end. I don;t want to rerun cable, I am looking for a drop in and connect.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350