Eco worthy lithium batteries

[Manitoban]

Purchased 2 eco worthy 12.8v batteries for my 2016 jayco 5th wheel so will they charge properly when I plug my trailer cable running my generator? I’m reading mixed reviews, I heard no issues just won’t charge to 100%

 

[colby-JAY]

Purchased 2 eco worthy 12.8v batteries for my 2016 jayco 5th wheel so will they charge properly when I plug my trailer cable running my generator? I’m reading mixed reviews, I heard no issues just won’t charge to 100%

Correct. You will get it partially charged (most find about 80ish percent without a lithium-compatible charger). At 80%, you will see more useful power capacity than most fully charged lead acid batteries at a much reduced weight.

 

[Manitoban]

Battery

Awesome thank you

 

[colby-JAY]

Awesome thank you

You are welcome. If you are going to be plugged in, you could always get a dedicated Lithium charger and shut off the breaker for your converter. That would ensure the batteries are fully charged.

 

[RogerR]

Before I finished my solar installation I left my Renogy battery connected to the RV built in non-lithium charging system. It charged up to 80% is a couple hours from 45%. Then slowly crept up to near 100% over a few days. I wasn't watching it as I was in the driveway working on solar and other stuff.
After I added 200 watts of Renogy solar and MPPT i turned off the breaker as my solar keeps me up to 100% daily in almost every time I have used my RV.

 

[Timber-JAY]

I just installed a lithium battery last week. It has charged to 100% while plugged in at home, from about 65% charge to 100% charge took a little over 8 hrs. My converter will need a jumper for better charging for lithium batteries and Progressive Dynamic is sending me one free of charge in the mail. So time will tell.

 

[craigav]

Just FYI, most LifePo4 batteries have a resting voltage around 13.3~13.4 when fully charged. However, to charge a battery you need a higher voltage than the resting voltage so somewhere around 13.6 will still charge a LifePo4 battery and above that, say around 13.8v you can fully charge a 12v LifePo4 battery. The difference is similar to filling a water tank though and as your use lower and lower pressure, the tank will take a lot longer to fill but will become full (assuming no one is using water).

Point being, even at 13.8 you can fully charge a LifePo4 but for the fastest charge, ~14.4v is common. Also, it is good to charge a Lifepo4 to 14.4 every few months if you use a lower voltage charging device as some Lifepo4's only balance the internal cells once the voltage is up above ~14v.

So, understanding whether a particular RV converter can fully charge a LifePo4 battery requires knowing the charge voltage and profile of the converter. Those converters designed for LifePo4's generally charge at 14.2 ~14.4v and those designed for Lead Acid batteries may have a higher voltage for the bulk charge and lower for the absorption stage, therefore it is best to lookup the charge profile (specs) for the installed converter. Some converters offer more control of the settings than others, so even one that has a constant output of 13.8v could work well, just a bit slower in fully charging a LifePo4 battery. ~CA

 

[Manitoban]

Thx Colby do you mean I could just get a portable lithium charger and hook them up to my batteries and charge them but shut off my power first of course

 

[F350guy-JAY]

I don't have any qualifications other than I just went thru a lithium conversion with some good advice and help, especially from Craigav. He knows his stuff. I changed from 2 6 volts lead acids to a single Renogy 200ah lithium. My Progressive Dynamics power center/charger/converter did not have a lithium setting. By pulling the 3 reverse polarity fuses on the PD the charger is disabled. I went with a stand alone charger mounted in the battery cabinet that has a setting for lithium, an absorption charge at 14.2 volts and storage at 13.5 volts. Recommended absorption charge for the Renogy is 14.4 +- .2 volts and 100% charge is 13.6. Keeping it just below the full charge is close enough for me. It still has more grunt the 2 lead acids ever had.

You could get by with a portable charger designed for lithium batteries but I would think you would want something more hands free.

 

[colby-JAY]

Thx Colby do you mean I could just get a portable lithium charger and hook them up to my batteries and charge them but shut off my power first of course

Yes, the only thing you would need to watch for is if the charger has enough current to replace the output from the converter which does double duty to keep the 12v lights and stuff on plus charge the battery.

 

[Nevr2late]

The charge rate on our as delivered LiFePO4 compatible power center is in the 50 amp range. That is with very little additional 12v draw. Haven’t tried with lights and heater running.

 

[videoarizona]

Yes. For most WFCO power centers.
Will charge up to 80%.

Which is what most lithium manufacturers recommend for maximum life duty cycles....80% to 20% depth of discharge. You will need some sort of a lithium charger to provide the higher voltage needed to balance the cells one or twice a year.

You may also need to reset the WFCO as it automatically turns off bulk charge after 4 hours. Just turn off(circuit breaker) and turn back on.

Note: WFCO makes a main board replacement for lithium batteries. Easy install. 5 wires and a few screws. Video on YouTube.

 

[Mtovaraz]

Solar?

Do you have solar panels? If you do, do you have a controller that also charges? If not I would recommend getting one. This will allow your solar and charger to put as much as 14.4 charging volts in your batteries.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Bumping this one up and wondering if anyone that owns the Eco Worthy lithium batteries can give me a review to date. I am looking at the 280 AH to replace two deep cycle, group 24 batteries, reducing weight and to gain more AH rating.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Bumping this one up and wondering if anyone that owns the Eco Worthy lithium batteries can give me a review to date. I am looking at the 280 AH to replace two deep cycle, group 24 batteries, reducing weight and to gain more AH rating.

'

Jayflight23...have you checked out Youtube. There's a reputable guy there, don't know his name, but he breaks down ALL the batteries and gives us a look at the insides. He rates them for worthiness, safety and price. He'll tell you when something is crap and to stay away from it or when something is a good value for what you're getting.

 

[dwaynebmsg]

Here is a link to several Youtube videos about Eco Worthy batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=will+prowse+Eco+Worthy
Will Prowse is the person JKyle is referring to.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

I have done a lot of looking on you tube and attempted to read a lot of direct input and observations from consumers on the variety of lithium batteries. One thing that I was alerted to was that when towing an rv with the lithium setup you need to be mindful about your tow vehicle's charging system. One individual pointed out that you need to upgrade your wiring to allow for charging, for fear of burning up your tow vehicle setup. Does anyone know more ?

I actually learned of good reviews on using the walmart brand MAXX 29DC, which is rated at 114 AH and weighs 62 lbs. While not ideal this is acceptable for doubling up for plenty of reserve power. The costs is certainly a huge difference and comes with a 2 year full replacement. So thats a full win to me.

I can upgrade every two years, even with no failures and be way ahead for the expected life of the rv, if taken care of of course and for my own expected life's time frame. {<}} And they charge without temperature restrictions, not that this matters. I don't camp in snow conditions.

The 10 CUFT 12 volt frig is rated at 12 amp draw. So this does require some reserve power off the grid and at night or grey times during the day, where charging is marginal to none from the expand solar setup. TIA

On an unrelated note, I attempted to contact an adminstrator without a reply to modify my login to my new TT, to no success.

 

[Nevr2late]

One thing to keep in mind is that LA batteries are only good for about half the rated ah before you harm the cells while a LiFePO4 is good for about 80%. Also, I have a 300ah LiFePO4 on our trailer and have not had any issues with the tow vehicle charging system. I was anticipating issues but so far none have come up. My Jayco is Lithium prepped though.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

One thing to keep in mind is that LA batteries are only good for about half the rated ah before you harm the cells while a LiFePO4 is good for about 80%. Also, I have a 300ah LiFePO4 on our trailer and have not had any issues with the tow vehicle charging system. I was anticipating issues but so far none have come up. My Jayco is Lithium prepped though.

I have had good success with the way we use our campers with theLA batteries. Other than the hitch weight, which I was wanting to reduce, this was the only reason I was considering the upgrade. I do have the lithium switch on my electrical control panel converter. So charging with AC power would not be an issue. But the tow charging was the only consideration that came to mind. Thanks

 

[Nevr2late]

I was told I would need a DC to DC charger and I bought one (Victron), but I haven't installed it. My truck runs about 14.4 volts which is fine, plus it has a 397 amp alternator (why such an odd number?). I also have 400w of solar. Everything seems to be fine and I really appreciate the extra ah for long 2 day drives while the inverter is powering the fridge and we don't have shore power at a rest stop.