Bigger Converter Upgrade Wiring?

[LongIslandCamper]

Looking at getting 3 or 4 litime 100ah lithium batteries for our 2013 26rls.

Current converter is only lead acid and 45a. Progressive dynamics suggests a 60a for three batteries.

If I go with the 60a then do I need to upgrade any wiring in the camper? If not, then at what point would you need to upgrade the wiring?

[craigav]

In order to answer your question, one would need to know what size wiring your RV currently has between the converter and the battery(s). If I was to increase the converter amperage and had to upgrade the wiring, I would likely go higher than 60 amps. I think PI has them going up to 80 amps but others are available to 100+ amps. I will also add that 45 amps is fine and the reason for upgrading the converter output will only allow the battery(s) to charge faster (so no benefit except faster battery charging time). For awareness, at a 40a charge rate you could recharge 3x100a LifePo4 batteries in 7~8 hours, and about half that time at 80a, which may not be an issue anyway.

Here is a cable size chart that can help understand how many amps a particular size cable is rated for (follow the 60c column). https://www.cerrowire.com/products/r...pacity-charts/


BTW, if you did upgrade the converter, the only wiring you would need to upgrade is that between the converter and the battery(s) which wouldn't be all that long and shouldn't be hard to do. ~CA

[JimD]

Originally Posted by craigav

In order to answer your question, one would need to know what size wiring your RV currently has between the converter and the battery(s). If I was to increase the converter amperage and had to upgrade the wiring, I would likely go higher than 60 amps. I think PI has them going up to 80 amps but others are available to 100+ amps. I will also add that 45 amps is fine and the reason for upgrading the converter output will only allow the battery(s) to charge faster (so no benefit except faster battery charging time). For awareness, at a 40a charge rate you could recharge 3x100a LifePo4 batteries in 7~8 hours, and about half that time at 80a, which may not be an issue anyway.

Here is a cable size chart that can help understand how many amps a particular size cable is rated for (follow the 60c column). https://www.cerrowire.com/products/r...pacity-charts/


BTW, if you did upgrade the converter, the only wiring you would need to upgrade is that between the converter and the battery(s) which wouldn't be all that long and shouldn't be hard to do. ~CA

Very well said! Totally agree.